Think BIG with Braintree: What if Gravity Stopped Working?

A Silly Question That Leads to Serious Science Learning. Have you ever asked a question that seems completely outrageous—yet sparks a whole new way of thinking?

Here’s one to try with your kids: What if gravity just… stopped working one day? 

Let’s imagine it together.

You wake up, stretch your arms, and suddenly—whoosh!—your pillow floats off the bed. Then your blankets, your books, your breakfast… even you start drifting up into the air! No gravity means nothing stays down. Not your cereal, not the trees, not the ocean. Even the air we breathe would float away. 

Sounds crazy, right? But this “What If” science scenario is the perfect way to introduce kids to some of the most important science concepts in the universe!

So, What Is Gravity?

Gravity is the invisible force that pulls everything toward the Earth’s center. It’s what keeps our feet on the ground, what makes things fall, and what holds the Earth—and the whole solar system—together. 

Without gravity:

• The oceans would lift into the air and drift into space.

• Buildings would crumble, no longer pulled to the ground.

• Planets would no longer orbit the sun—they’d just fly away!

• Our bodies would float aimlessly, like astronauts in space.

And even though that sounds like a scene from a sci-fi movie, thinking about what would happen helps kids understand what does happen because of gravity.

Concepts Kids Can Explore

This silly question opens the door to real science learning! Here are just a few big ideas your child can explore:

• Newton’s Laws of Motion – Learn how motion works and why gravity is key to keeping things in place.

• Mass vs. Weight – Understand the difference between how much "stuff" something has (mass) and how heavy it feels (weight).

• The Earth’s Atmosphere and Orbit – Discover how gravity keeps our air in place and holds our planet in a stable orbit around the sun.

• Microgravity – Find out how astronauts live and move when gravity is almost gone!

Take the Learning Further!

This is more than just a fun thought experiment—it's a gateway to hands-on learning! Here are some ideas to try at home:

✅ Draw a Zero-Gravity Day – What would a regular day look like if gravity stopped working?

✅ Do a Mass vs. Weight Experiment – Use a scale to weigh objects and talk about what would happen to their weight in space. 

✅ Watch Astronaut Videos – Check out how astronauts eat, sleep, and work in space without gravity. 

✅ Try an Interactive Gravity Simulation – Explore how gravity affects planets, orbits, and motion with free online tools.

We’ve gathered free worksheets, videos, and interactive sites for every grade level—check them out below!

Lesson Plan: Design Your Own Zero-Gravity Home!

Grade Levels: K–8 Subjects: Science, Art, Engineering/Design, Creative Writing

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand how gravity affects everyday life (e.g., sitting, eating, sleeping).

• Apply knowledge of gravity to invent solutions in a no-gravity environment.

• Use creativity to design and label a zero-gravity home.

• Communicate their design choices through drawings, labels, and/or writing.

Essential Question

How would we live, eat, sleep, and move around if there were no gravity?

Materials Needed

• Drawing paper or blank blueprints (provided template optional)

• Colored pencils, crayons, or markers

• Ruler or stencils (optional for older students)

• Lined paper for writing/journaling (Grades 3–8)

• Example astronaut videos (see below)

Engage (10–15 minutes)

Discussion Prompt: Ask students: 🗨️ “What do we do every day that depends on gravity?” List ideas (e.g., sleeping in a bed, pouring cereal, walking up stairs).

📽️ Watch a short video:

• K–5: How Do Astronauts Sleep in Space?

• 6–8: Everything About Living in Space - YouTube

Discuss: “How do astronauts adjust when there’s little or no gravity?”

Explore & Create (20–30 minutes)

Design a Zero-Gravity Home

Challenge: “Design a home where gravity doesn’t work. You float instead of walk, food floats around, and you can't just sit in a chair or sleep in a bed.”

Students should include:

• A sleeping space (What keeps them from floating away?)

• A bathroom (How do you wash up or use the toilet without gravity?)

• A kitchen or eating area (How do you eat or drink?)

• A movement system (How do you travel from room to room?)

✅ Younger Students (K–2): Draw a picture of your zero-gravity home and label the parts.

✅ Middle Students (3–5): Draw and label your home. Then write a paragraph explaining how you’d live there.

✅ Older Students (6–8): Create a blueprint or 3D sketch. Write a short descriptive report or make a video walkthrough explaining your design, using gravity-related vocabulary (e.g., force, motion, mass, friction, microgravity).

Extend & Reflect

Optional Extension Activities:

• 🛸 Create a zero-gravity vehicle or space gym.

• ✏️ Write a story titled: “A Day in My Zero-Gravity Home”

• 🎭 Present your home to the class or family as a mini "Shark Tank" pitch.

Assessment Criteria

• Creativity and effort in design

• Accurate labeling and clear logic in adapting to microgravity

• Understanding of gravity-related challenges

• Communication of design choices (through drawing or writing)

  
  

Other Concepts to Explore

·         Newton’s Laws of Motion

·         Gravity as a force of attraction

·         Earth's atmosphere and orbit

·         Mass vs. weight

·         Effects of microgravity

Educational Videos (YouTube)

Defining Gravity: Crash Course Kids #4.1

Newton's Laws: Crash Course Physics #5

Thank Goodness for Gravity | PBS LearningMedia

Gravity! | Science Trek | PBS LearningMedia

Interactive Websites

NASA Space Place - Gravity

PhET Simulation - Gravity Force Lab 

National Geographic Kids - Space

YaClass: Layers of the Atmosphere 

What Is Microgravity? (Grades 5-8) - NASA

Challenge of Microgravity | BioEd Online

Free Worksheets & Printable Activities

 Gravity Worksheets - K5 Learning: Forces & Motion

Teachers Pay Teachers - Free Gravity Related Lessons

Neil Gehrels Swift Learning Center

Mass vs. Weight Activities - NASA

Mass vs. Weight Poster | Teach Starter

Other Extension Activities

"Design a No-Gravity Home" Challenge – Have students design a home where gravity doesn’t exist. How would they eat, sleep, or move?

"Weight on Other Planets" Calculator – https://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/https://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/

 Create a Story: “A Day Without Gravity” – Have students write a creative story describing life for a day with no gravity.

🔗 For more free learning adventures, visit: LEARNING GROVE | Braintree Academy

Disclaimer:

All resources provided are intended for educational use at your own discretion. At the time of collection, all external links and content were reviewed and deemed appropriate for student learning. However, Braintree Academy is not responsible for any changes to linked content made by external sites. If you encounter any broken or inappropriate links, please contact Braintree Academy for assistance. We hope these resources enhance your at-home educational journey!