Blood Model in a Bottle

Kids are naturally curious about the human body, and creating a Blood Model in a Bottle is a simple and fun way to explore what’s in our blood. This easy activity uses a few items you probably already have in your kitchen, making it perfect for a quick science lesson at home.

This experiment and many others are on my list of Human Body Activities for Kids. It’s packed with engaging ideas to help your child learn science at home with confidence.

I’ll walk you through one of our favorite human body experiments. I’ll share what materials you need, how to set it up, and even some fun facts about blood. You’ll want to read through to the end to keep your child interested in learning about anatomy.

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Cool Facts About Blood

Understanding what’s flowing through our bodies can be fascinating, especially for kids. These quick facts help explain just how vital blood is to our health and everyday function. They make a great intro to the hands-on activity you’ll do together.

• Blood makes up about 7-8% of your body weight. That’s roughly 1.2 to 1.5 gallons of blood in the adult body.
• Red blood cells live for about 120 days. Your body is constantly making new ones to replace the old ones.
• White blood cells are your body’s defense system. They fight off germs and keep you healthy.

Recommended Human Body Books

These books help explain complex topics in ways that young learners can understand. They add more depth to the activity and make learning fun.

Hematology and Oncology for Kids: A Fun Picture Book About the Blood and Cancer for Children (Gift for Kids, Teachers, and Medical Students) (Medical School for Kids)A Drop of Blood (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)Brown Paper School book: Blood and GutsHow Do My Blood Vessels Work: An Educational Picture Book About the Amazing Circulatory System for Curious KidsMy First Human Body Book (Dover Science For Kids Coloring Books)Incredible But True: The Human Body – Kids Hardcover Book, Learn About Biology, STEM for Kids Aged 7-12, Color Illustrated Non-Fiction Books, Learning & Education

 

How can we make learning about blood more engaging?

I remember the first time we tried this activity. My kids were wide-eyed as they watched the red beans, rice, and marshmallows float in the thick syrup. It was the perfect opportunity to discuss how each item represented a different part of our blood—the red beans represented red blood cells, the rice represented platelets, and the marshmallows represented white blood cells.

Creating a model like this makes abstract ideas real for younger learners. It helps them visualize and better understand what’s inside their bodies. Plus, it doesn’t feel like a lesson, which is always a win.

I have printable packs that go along with our human body lessons. These have hands-on worksheets and creative activities that keep kids interested in learning about anatomy and biology.

What skills can kids learn from this DIY blood science experiment?

This isn’t just about science—it covers multiple skills at once.

• Observation: Kids will practice noticing how the items move and mix in the bottle.
• Measuring: They’ll learn how to use measuring cups and spoons accurately.
• Following Directions: This step-by-step activity helps develop focus and sequencing skills.

Recommended Human Body Kits

Human body kits bring learning to life through play and exploration. They pair well with this activity and give your child a complete learning experience.

Blood Model Activity Supplies

• Clear plastic bottle with a tight-fitting lid
• Light corn syrup
• dried red beans (or white beans dyed red)
• white rice
• mini marshmallows
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

How can you make a fun blood model for early learners?

This simple project has become one of our go-to science activities. It’s always fun to pull together materials we already have and use them to explain how something as complex as blood works.

When we did this, I set everything on the table, and the kids were instantly curious. They loved squeezing the syrup into the bottle and watching it slowly settle. As they added each item, we discussed what it represented in the blood.

They asked thoughtful questions and even guessed what each part might do. It was such an excellent opportunity for honest conversation and learning. The best part? They were entirely focused, without realizing they were doing a science lesson.

Free Blood Model Printable for Kids

To accompany this activity, I created a six-page printable you can use with your child. It extends the lesson and allows your child to reflect, review, and explore the topic further.

Blood Model Experiment

This page includes clear directions, a supply list, and a space where your child can draw what they observed in the model.

Discussion Questions

Here, kids answer four questions about blood like “What is the function of plasma in the blood?” and “Why do red blood cells make up the majority of the blood?”

Answer the Questions

This page invites your child to reflect on what they learned with prompts like “What are the four components of blood?” and “What surprised you about the experiment?”

The Circulatory System Vocabulary Match

A matching activity where kids identify the correct word for each description using a word bank.

Blood Typing Activity

Kids learn about blood types and compatibility by matching each type to a statement such as “Can donate blood to type A and AB” or “Can receive blood from all blood types.”

Fingerprint Blood Cell Art

A fun art project where kids use red, white, and yellow paint to create red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. There’s a large space on the page for kids to complete the art and label each part.

More Human Body Activities to Try

If your child enjoyed this project, there are so many other human body activities to explore. From learning about organs and systems to hands-on experiments and crafts, these resources help make science approachable and fun at home.

• Simple Heart Pump Model
• Respiratory System Coloring Pages
• Brain Worksheets for Kids
• How to Make a Lung Model
• Human Body STEM Activities
• The Human Heart Worksheet by 3 Boys and a Dog
• Human Body Systems Worksheets by Homeschool of 1

Download the blood model in a bottle worksheets below

This easy blood model project is one of those easy and meaningful projects that brings science to life for young kids. With just a few supplies, you can teach complex ideas in a way that makes sense. Plus, you’ll have fun learning alongside your child.