Need a printable periodic table for your kid’s homework? Or are you trying to stay a step ahead of your child’s science homework? Don’t worry, we’ve got you! The periodic table of elements is the most important reference for chemists and other scientists. Understanding what it is and how it is organized is the key to unlocking your future chemistry passion!
Keep reading and we will share lots of learning resources and teaching tips. It doesn’t matter if you are a classroom teacher, a homeschool parent, or just trying to find a way to occupy your little science enthusiast. Grab your free, printable periodic table and keep reading!
What is the Periodic Table?
The periodic table of elements is an important reference for chemists and other scientists because it organizes all of the chemical elements ever discovered into a meaningful chart. Remember that an element is a substance made of only one kind of atom.
Elements are arranged left to right and top to bottom by the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons in an atom is called the atomic number.
Need a refresher on atoms and their subatomic particles? Check out What is an Atom?
What is the atomic number and what does it represent?
The definition of the atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. But what does that really mean and why does it matter?
- Because an atom can gain or lose electrons and neutrons and it is still the same element.
- But if the number of protons changes, it becomes a completely different element.
Scientists organized the periodic table of elements by atomic number because it is a part of each element that NEVER changes. So the periodic table is a shared reference that helps all scientists as they explore the universe around us.
Download your printable periodic table and use it at home or in the classroom:
Related: Scientific method worksheet
Periodic Table Vocabulary
Periodic Table of Elements – a table of the chemical elements arranged in order of atomic number.
Atomic Number – the number of protons in an atom of an element.
Atom – the basic unit of a chemical element.
Element – a substance made up of only one kind of atom.
Subatomic particles – the smaller particles that make up an atom: neutrons, protons, and electrons.
Proton – a positively charged subatomic particle that is part of the nucleus.
Neutron – a subatomic particle with no charge that is part of the nucleus.
Electron – a negatively charged subatomic particle that surrounds the nucleus and moves in a wave around it.
why are some elements at the bottom of the periodic table?
I have a confession. I had no idea why those elements were down there below the rest of the periodic table until I was an adult. That separate block is called the “f-block.” I thought those elements were down there for some extra special scientific reason. Not so much.
Nope, the f-block is down there to save space. That’s it.
If you look at the atomic number, the f-block actually belongs in rows 6 and 7. But as you can imagine, the periodic table is quite wide if you insert the block where it belongs. At some point, I suppose someone decided it should be easier to print on one page.
Periodic Table Resources We Love
I can’t stop singing the periodic table song! (Seriously, someone get this song out of my head!!)
Who doesn’t love a good Ted-Ed?! I love this video about the genius of Mendeleev, who is the founder of the modern periodic table. Why is Mendeleev cool? Because not only did he organize the periodic table, but he also predicted the elements that were missing but not yet discovered.
The Periodic Table Crash Course is definitely more in-depth. But Crash Course is always fun! Want to learn all the things about the periodic table? Check out this video!
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS AND ACTIVITIES RElated to the Periodic Table
- What is an atom? Find more science worksheets for kids!
- Want to know all about the element gold?
- Build your own atom model with the supplies you have at home right now.
- Here are 10 cool ways to learn about atoms and molecules.
- Learn to draw an atom model in 6 easy steps.
- Zentangles are the most relaxing, rewarding coloring pages, even for older kids and adults. Check out the atom zentangle coloring page.
Download & Print Free Periodic Table Worksheets Here!
These periodic table elements printable pages are sized for standard letter printer paper dimensions – 8.5 x 11 inches.
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Teaching aids for the Periodic Table of Elements
As a homeschool parent, I have had a few opportunities to work with my kids on chemistry basics. This poster of the periodic table was really helpful for us. It comes in a few sizes and is clear and easy to read.
We also used these periodic table flashcards a lot.
My youngest daughter is super into science. She is also a very hands-on learner. If she can put her hands on it and figure it out, she will always remember it. We ordered these connecting color tiles for her to assemble the periodic table herself.
More Fun Science Worksheets & Printable Sheets from Kids Activities Blog
- Our skeleton worksheets are a great way to learn about the body.
- Space coloring pages are out of this world and space facts for kids are fun to learn.
- Printable ruler coloring pages are cool!
- Explore the Mars Rover coloring pages.
- Check out these science coloring pages for your little one!
- Chemistry coloring pages and atom coloring pages are cool.
- Life cycle printable activity for kids.
- We have the coolest birthday gift for scientists right here.
Update: Big thanks to Gabi who found a typo in our periodic table (103 Lr). We have fixed it on the pdf download, but the images in this article contain the typo.
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