Forces and Motion Worksheets

Grade 3 Science 12 Printable Worksheets 100% FREE

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Forces and motion are everywhere in a Grade 3 student's day, from kicking a soccer ball on the playground to feeling the pull of gravity when jumping off a swing. In Grade 3 Science (NGSS 3-PS2), learners explore forces as pushes and pulls that make objects start, stop, speed up, slow down, or change direction. When forces are balanced, like a book resting on a table, an object stays still because equal forces cancel each other out. When forces are unbalanced, like a ball rolling downhill, motion changes because one force is stronger. Grade 3 students also learn that the size and direction of a force matter: a bigger push makes a toy car go faster or farther, while opposite-direction pushes of equal strength cancel out. Friction is a force that slows motion, so rubber on pavement grips well while ice on ice lets skaters glide. Gravity is a non-contact force that pulls every object toward Earth, and magnetism is a non-contact force that attracts certain metals like iron, even without touching. Understanding these forces helps Grade 3 learners predict how objects will move in everyday situations.

Worksheet Preview

Browse all 12 printable worksheets below — click any card to open the full page.

Easy

Part A: Fix the Sentence

Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. Kicking a soccer ball is an example of a

2. Opening a dresser drawer uses a

3. Gravity is a force that

4. Wind blowing leaves across the yard is a

Part C: True or False?

Read each statement. Circle True or False.

1. A push moves an object away from the force in Grade 3 Science.

T F

2. Gravity pushes objects up into the sky in Grade 3 lessons.

T F

3. Wind can push leaves and paper across the ground in Grade 3 Science.

T F

Forces and Motion

Easy

Part A: Fix the Sentence

Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. When forces are equal and opposite, they are

2. When one side pushes harder than the other, forces are

3. A book sitting still on a table has

4. A ball rolling downhill is moved by

Part C: True or False?

Read each statement. Circle True or False.

1. Balanced forces cause no change in motion in Grade 3 Science lessons.

T F

2. A tied tug of war shows unbalanced forces in Grade 3 examples.

T F

3. Unbalanced forces can make a ball roll faster in Grade 3 Science.

T F

Forces and Motion

Easy

Part A: Fix the Sentence

Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. A pendulum swings in a repeating

2. A ball rolling down a ramp speeds up because of

3. A swing that is pushed once will slow down and finally

4. If a pattern repeats, we can

Part C: True or False?

Read each statement. Circle True or False.

1. A pendulum in Grade 3 science moves in a repeating pattern we can predict.

T F

2. A ball rolling down a steeper ramp moves slower than one on a flat ramp.

T F

3. A swing with no push will eventually stop because of friction and air.

T F

Forces and Motion

Easy

Part A: Fix the Sentence

Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. Magnets pull on objects made of iron or

2. Two north poles pushed together will

3. A north pole and a south pole will

4. A magnet can work through a thin sheet of

Part C: True or False?

Read each statement. Circle True or False.

1. In Grade 3 science, a magnet will attract a wooden block.

T F

2. Two south poles placed close together will push apart.

T F

3. A magnet cannot pull a paperclip through a thin piece of paper.

T F

Forces and Motion

Medium

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. A bigger push makes an object move

2. Two equal forces in opposite directions will

3. The

4. A harder kick sends a ball a

5. When two kids push a wagon the same way, the forces

6. If you push a toy car left and a friend pushes right with equal force, it stays

7. The

8. A gentle push on a swing makes it move

9. Forces have both size and

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

Big push on a ball

→

Ball rolls far and fast

Two equal opposite pushes

→

Object stays still balanced

Two pushes in same direction

→

Forces add for bigger motion

Small push on a wagon

→

Wagon moves slowly a short way

Forces and Motion

Medium

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. A pattern of motion can be

2. A swing goes back and forth in a repeating

3. When a force stops acting, friction can

4. A ball thrown straight up comes back

5. A rolling ball will keep going until a

6. If you push harder, the object moves with more

7. The path an object takes is called its

8. When no forces act, a resting object stays at

9. A pendulum swinging the same way each time shows a

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

Swing pendulum

→

Repeats back and forth

Friction on floor

→

Slows a rolling toy

Gravity on dropped apple

→

Pulls it straight down

Forces and Motion

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. A bigger push on a toy car makes it move with more

2. Two friends pushing a box in the same direction make it move

3. Two equal pushes in opposite directions

4. If you double the push on a cart, its speed will

5. A push is one kind of

6. When forces on an object are equal and opposite, we say they are

7. When the total force is not zero, we say the forces are

8. If two kids pull on a rope with equal force, the rope does not

9. Pushing a swing at just the right time makes it swing

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

Two equal pushes in opposite directions

→

Forces cancel and the object does not move

Two pushes in the same direction

→

Forces add and the object speeds up

Doubling the push on a cart

→

Speed about doubles

One strong pull with no other force

→

Unbalanced force makes the object move

Forces and Motion

Medium

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. A force that slows motion between two surfaces is called

2. A rough surface like sandpaper has

3. Ice feels slippery because it has very

4. Tire treads are the grooves that help a car

5. A box slides easily on a smooth floor because there is less

6. Rubbing your hands together fast makes them feel

7. A rubber shoe sole gives more

8. To slide faster on a slide, we choose a very

9. On icy roads, cars need chains to

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

Sandpaper on wood

→

A lot of friction, hard to slide

A smooth ice rink

→

Very little friction, slides easily

Rubber tires on a dry road

→

Enough friction to grip safely

A greased metal slide

→

Low friction from a slippery coating

Forces and Motion

Hard

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. Which surface pair has the highest friction in Grade 3 Science?

2. Which pair shows the LOWEST friction for Grade 3 learners?

3. What happens to a rolling ball on a rough carpet in Grade 3 experiments?

4. Why do car tires have deep grooves in Grade 3 Science lessons?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. Friction is a force that

2. Rubber on pavement creates

3. Ice on ice creates

4. Sandpaper has a

5. Without friction, it would be hard to

Forces and Motion

Hard

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. Which force pulls all objects toward Earth in Grade 3 Science?

2. Magnetism is best described in Grade 3 Science as a ___ force.

3. Which object would a magnet attract in Grade 3 experiments?

4. Why do dropped objects fall in Grade 3 Science lessons?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. Gravity is a force that

2. Magnetism works without

3. Magnets attract only certain

4. Gravity and magnetism are both

5. A heavier object feels a

Forces and Motion

Hard

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. Two Grade 3 students push a box in opposite directions with equal force. What happens?

2. A cart is rolling forward. A Grade 3 student now pushes it forward with more force. What happens?

3. Two teams are tied in tug-of-war. One team then pulls harder. What will happen?

4. A book rests on a Grade 3 desk without moving. Which statement is true?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. When forces on an object are balanced, its motion does not

2. When forces are not equal, we call them

3. A still object has forces that are

4. To speed up a moving cart, you need an

5. If balanced forces become unbalanced, the object will

Forces and Motion

Hard

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. A Grade 3 student drops a marble and a baseball from the same height with no air effect. Which hits the ground first?

2. Why does a feather fall more slowly than a rock in real life?

3. A ball is dropped from a Grade 3 classroom window. What makes it fall?

4. Two Grade 3 students drop different-sized rubber balls at the same time. What happens?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. The force that pulls objects toward Earth is called

2. Ignoring air, two objects dropped from the same height fall at the

3. A feather falls slowly because of

4. Gravity always pulls objects toward the center of

5. Without gravity, a Grade 3 student's jump would never bring them back

Forces and Motion

What's Included in This Download

12 Printable Pages covering forces and motion

Complete Answer Key for easy grading

Printer-Friendly Format in black & white

Variety of Activities to keep kids engaged

Common Core Aligned grade 3 standards

Instant PDF Download - no signup required

What You'll Learn

These forces and motion worksheets help grade 3 students develop essential science skills through engaging activities.

How to Use These Worksheets

Download & Print: Click the download button to get the PDF. Print on standard 8.5" x 11" paper.
Start Simple: Begin with easier pages before moving to more challenging activities.
Daily Practice: Dedicate 10-15 minutes each day for consistent learning.
Use Manipulatives: Pair worksheets with physical objects like blocks or counters.
Provide Encouragement: Celebrate progress and effort to build confidence.
Check Progress: Use the included answer key to review work together.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Grade 3 students often think gravity pushes objects up rather than realizing gravity is a pull force that always tugs objects toward Earth.
Many Grade 3 learners confuse balanced and unbalanced forces, assuming any force means motion, when balanced forces actually cause no change in motion.
Grade 3 students sometimes believe magnets attract all metals, when in fact magnets only attract certain metals like iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a push and a pull?

In Grade 3 Science, a push is a force that moves an object away from the source, like kicking a ball, while a pull is a force that moves an object closer to the source, like opening a drawer. Both are forces that can change motion.

What are balanced and unbalanced forces in Grade 3 Science?

Balanced forces are equal and opposite, so they cancel out and cause no motion change, like a book resting on a table. Unbalanced forces are unequal, so they change an object's motion, like a ball rolling downhill because gravity pulls harder than friction.

How does the size of a force affect motion in Grade 3 experiments?

A bigger force creates a bigger change in motion. In Grade 3 Science, a hard kick sends a soccer ball faster and farther than a gentle tap. The size of a push or pull directly affects how fast or far an object moves.

What is friction and how does it affect motion in Grade 3 Science?

Friction is a force between two surfaces that rub together and it opposes motion. In Grade 3 lessons, rough surfaces like pavement create high friction, while smooth surfaces like ice create low friction, making skaters glide easily.

How are gravity and magnetism alike in Grade 3 Science?

Both gravity and magnetism are non-contact forces in Grade 3 Science, meaning they act without touching. Gravity pulls all objects toward Earth, while magnetism attracts certain metals like iron. Both can act across a distance through empty space.

Are these worksheets really free?

Yes! All our worksheets are 100% free to download and print. There's no subscription, no hidden fees, and no registration required.

Can I use these in my classroom?

Absolutely! Teachers are welcome to print and use these worksheets in their classrooms. Make as many copies as needed for your students.

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Forces and Motion Worksheets

Worksheet Preview

What's Included in This Download

What You'll Learn

How to Use These Worksheets

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Frequently Asked Questions

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Worksheet Preview

What's Included in This Download

What You'll Learn

How to Use These Worksheets

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Frequently Asked Questions

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