Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Science I-Spy
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Science I-Spy is a free printable worksheet that turns the classic game of I-Spy into a science hunt. Children grab a magnifying glass, look closely at the world around them and spot things the way a scientist would. Have a pencil ready, and a magnifying glass if you own one.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Page 2 has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
What is on the sheet
Science I-Spy takes a game most children already know and gives it a scientific twist. Children pick up a magnifying glass and go looking, using their eyes to spot things and think about them. It rewards careful looking, so there is no need to rush. Children can play alone, with a friend or with a grown up, and talk about what they find as they go.
Getting ready to play
Find a lens
Choose a magnifying glass if you have one. If not, the game still works with careful eyes. Check that the lens is clean so children can see clearly.
Pick a place
Choose one room, the garden or a park. A small area is best, because children look more closely when there is less ground to cover.
Agree the rules
Decide who goes first and how turns work. The person who spies says a clue, and everyone else looks and guesses.
Gather your tools
Put a pencil, the printed sheet and something firm to lean on together. A clipboard or a hardback book works well.
Why play I-Spy with science?
I-Spy is a guessing game. One player says they spy something with a clue, often its first letter, and the others look around to find it. The game needs careful looking, careful listening and clear speaking. Most children know it already, so they can start quickly and spend their energy on the thinking rather than learning new rules.
Science often starts with observing. Scientists look closely, notice details and then ask questions. A magnifying glass has a curved lens that makes small things look bigger, so children see patterns, edges and textures they would otherwise miss. Describing what they see with words such as smooth, rough, shiny or bumpy builds the vocabulary they need for science.
Never look at the sun through a magnifying glass. Never use one to focus sunlight onto skin or objects, because it can cause burns and start fires. Adults should keep magnifying glasses away from sunny windows when not in use. Outdoors, look but do not touch unless an adult says it is safe, and wash hands afterwards.
Magnifying glass facts
- A magnifying glass has a lens, which is a curved piece of clear glass or plastic.
- The lens is thicker in the middle than at the edges.
- Holding the lens at the right distance from an object makes it look clearer.
- Scientists often begin by observing, which means looking very carefully and noticing details.
- We see most things because light bounces off them and travels into our eyes.
Skills and curriculum link
- Careful observation
- Using simple equipment
- Describing with scientific words
- Comparing and sorting
- Asking questions
- Listening and speaking
Ideas to guide the game
- Ask what they noticeUse open questions such as "What do you notice?" or "What can you see now that you could not see before?" Open questions get children talking in full sentences.
- Build describing wordsOffer words children can use in their clues, such as smooth, rough, shiny, dull, hard, soft, thin and thick. Use them yourself and children will copy.
- Compare two thingsPick two objects and ask what is the same and what is different. Comparing is a key science habit and helps children see detail.
- Turn spotting into wonderingAfter a find, ask "What do you wonder about it?" Children do not need to know the answer. Asking the question is the science.
Key words
- ObserveTo look carefully and notice details.
- MagnifyTo make something look bigger.
- LensA curved piece of clear glass or plastic. A magnifying glass has one.
- DescribeTo say what something is like, using clear words.
- CompareTo look at two things and say how they are the same and different.
- QuestionSomething you ask because you want to find out more.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has notes, help and a stretch idea.
- Talk about the game first. Ask your child to explain how I-Spy works, then explain that today they are playing like a scientist.
- Give your child the magnifying glass and let them look closely at things nearby before they begin.
- Play and talk together. Ask what they notice and encourage them to describe each find in their own words.
- Finish by choosing a favourite find. Ask why it stood out and what they would like to find out about it.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Play together first. Take turns and give easy clues, such as a colour or a shape. Let your child hold the magnifying glass close to their eye, then move the object until it looks clear. Stay in one room until they feel confident.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to choose one thing they spotted and look at it closely for a full minute. They can draw it, label three details and write one question they would like to answer about it. Then swap drawings with a friend and compare.
Make it a game
Play the spoken game with science clues. Instead of a letter, give a describing clue such as "I spy something smooth" or "I spy something shiny and hard". The first player to guess correctly chooses the next object. Use a timer if you like.
Talk about it
- What was the most interesting thing you looked at closely, and why?
- What did the magnifying glass show you that your eyes did not?
- How would you describe that object to someone who cannot see it?
- What is the same about two things you found, and what is different?
- What do you wonder about something you spotted today?
- If you were a scientist, what would you want to look at next?
Take it off the page
Texture hunt
Look for rough, smooth, bumpy and soft surfaces around the home. Rub paper over a safe textured surface with a crayon and compare the patterns.
Draw it big
Choose a small safe object, such as a leaf or a button. Look at it through a magnifying glass and draw it large, adding as many details as you can see.
Mystery bag
An adult puts a few safe objects in a bag. Your child feels one without looking and describes it. The others guess what it is.
Who it is for
Parents
Join in for the first few turns, then let your child lead. Keep the mood light and curious. Praise careful looking and good describing words, not just correct guesses. Stop when interest fades and come back another day.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a quiet activity, an outdoor learning task or a link to working scientifically, where children observe closely, use simple equipment and ask questions. It works for individuals, pairs or small groups, and needs very little preparation.
Home educators
The game fits any space, from a kitchen to a garden or a walk. Children of different ages can play together, with older ones giving harder clues and younger ones describing what they see. Keep a few finds in a box to revisit.
Where this fits in learning science
Before a game like this, children learn to use their senses, name everyday objects and talk about what they see. Simple play such as sorting, matching and naming builds the base for observing with purpose.
After it, children can move on to sorting things into groups, noticing patterns, asking questions that can be tested and recording what they find. Careful observation is the first step in working scientifically, so it supports later work across all areas of science.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What is Science I-Spy?
It is a free printable worksheet that turns the classic game of I-Spy into a science hunt. Children use a magnifying glass to look closely, spot things and talk about what they notice, much as a scientist would.
- What age is it for?
It suits children who enjoy looking, talking and playing guessing games. Younger children can join in with an adult, and older children can use the stretch idea and give trickier clues. You know your child best, so adjust to suit.
- How long does it take?
There is no set time. Stop when your child loses interest and come back another day. Short, curious sessions often work better than one long one, and the game can be replayed in a new place.
- Do we need a magnifying glass?
A magnifying glass makes the game more fun and helps children look closely, but it is not essential. Without one, ask children to look very carefully and describe small details. Never look at the sun through a magnifying glass.
- Can we play outside?
Yes. A garden, park or walk gives plenty to spot. Keep to a small area, look but do not touch unless an adult says it is safe, and wash hands afterwards. Never use the magnifying glass in direct sunlight on objects.
- How does it link to the National Curriculum?
It supports the working scientifically strand of the National Curriculum for England, including observing closely, using simple equipment, asking questions and describing what is found. It is a practice activity, not a full lesson.
- Can I use it with a group or class?
Yes. Children can play in pairs or small groups, taking turns to give clues and guess. Hand out magnifying glasses if you have enough, or share them and let children swap. Print as many copies as you need.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.