Refreshed scheme (2026)

Mechanical systems: Pneumatic toys

Investigating how compressed air can create movement within a mechanism and be used in a working pneumatic toy.

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Lessons

Refreshed
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Lesson 1: Exploring pneumatics

  • To explore how pneumatic systems create movement within mechanisms.

Refreshed

Lesson 2: Drawing diagrams

Refreshed

Lesson 3: Designing a pneumatic toy

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Lesson 4: Making a pneumatic toy

Refreshed

Lesson 5: Finishing the toy

Key skills

Design

  • Creating simple
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Key knowledge

To know:

  • How
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Key vocabulary

diagram

evaluate

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Equipment list

Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.

This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)

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Full equipment list for the subject

Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected

  • Books ×30
  • Balloons ×30
  • Masking tape ×1
  • Glue ×30
  • Syringes: 2 the same size, 1 a different size ×15
  • Tubing to connect syringes (diameter approximately 4-5 mm to fit a pump or bottle) ×15
  • Ball or balloon pumps (or bottles with small nozzles, such as washing-up or sports cap bottles)
  • Bag ×15
  • A box ×30
  • Paper plates ×30
  • Paper fasteners (split pins) ×30
  • Packaging and recycling materials ×1
  • Materials to make the toy, such as: card, straws, pipe cleaners, cotton wool, buttons, socks, stuffing, lolly sticks, etc ×30
  • Paint
  • Decorations (wool, buttons, ribbon etc.) ×30
  • Sticky notes ×30
  • Modelling clay ×30
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Related content

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Design and technology

Knowledge organiser – D&T Y3: Mechanical systems: *New* Pneumatic toys

Aimed at pupils, two pages giving key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Pneumatic toys’.

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Design and technology

Vocabulary display – D&T Y3: Mechanical systems: *New* Pneumatic toys

A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Pneumatic toys'.

Subject resources

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