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Science · Stage 6

Series and Parallel Circuits

Two ways to wire a circuit — one single loop, or branching paths. Build both, see why one keeps glowing when a bulb pops, and meet the two big words of electricity: current and voltage.

✦ Science📘 Stage 6 · S6⏱ ~13 min🧒 Ages 10–12★ Free to start
I can build and compare series and parallel circuits, and introduce current and voltage.
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Kavi the owl for Science
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Kavi's Two Circuits

Kavi wires two bulbs 💡💡 to one battery 🔋 in a single loop — a series circuit. Then she rebuilds it so each bulb has its own branch — a parallel circuit. "Watch this!" she hoots. She unscrews a bulb: in the series loop both go dark, but in the parallel one the other bulb stays lit! "The battery gives a push called voltage (volts), and that push drives a flow called current (amps). Series shares the push along one path; parallel gives every branch the full push. Let's build both and find out why!"

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What your child will learn

1The parts of a circuit — and two big wordsEvery circuit is a loop of parts that carries electricity. Tap each one to learn its job. The last two are the words scientists use to measure electricity.
2One loop, or branching paths?Same battery, same bulbs — two ways to wire them. Tap each card to hear how the current gets around.
3Series or parallel?Each card describes how a circuit behaves. Decide: does it describe a SERIES circuit or a PARALLEL circuit? Tap the right box!
4Guess first, then check!Good scientists predict, then test. Pick your guess, then tap to check. Tap Next test for more.
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A peek inside

In Kavi's PARALLEL circuit, two bulbs glow. She unscrews one — and the other keeps glowing brightly. Explain why, using the words path and voltage.
In a parallel circuit each bulb sits on its own branch, so there is more than one path. Removing one bulb breaks only that branch; the other bulb's loop is still complete, and it still gets the full battery voltage.

Try this at home: What is the difference between a series and a parallel circuit?

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

Part of Science · Stage 6 · S6 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.