It doesn’t matter where you go to school – home, public, or private – at some point you’re going to study cells. When you do, chances are your curriculum is going to encourage you to build a cell model. If it doesn’t, do it anyway because it’s lots of fun!
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There are lots of different ways to build a model of a cell – plant or animal – but these are ten of the best, most awesome ways to make a cell model. Some are edible, some are not, but they’re all super cool.
1. Cell Cake
This cell cake is a super fun way to study cells! After all, studying cells is much more interesting when it’s delicious!
2. Jell-O Cell
We made a Jell-O cell model many, many moons ago. It was not very pretty or particularly appetizing because we used what we had on hand. My best tip for a Jell-O cell? Use foods like fruits, marshmallows, and nuts as the organelles so that you’ll actually want to eat it when you’re finished. This one from 123 Homeschool 4 Me is much prettier and more appetizing than the one we made.
photo credit 123 homeschool 4 me
3. Cookie Cell
Another tasty edible cell model option is a cookie cell model. Start with a large chocolate chip cookie (made in a pizza pan for an animal cell or in a jellyroll pan for a plant cell). Then use candies for the organelles or shape them out of fondant.
photo credit Stephanie Harrington
4. Pizza Cell
You can’t go wrong with pizza, either. You make a regular pizza cell model or a fruit pizza cell model – or one of each and you’d have lunch and dessert!
photo credit proverbial homemaker
5. 3D Cell Model
This 3D animal cell made from Styrofoam is fantastic! If edible projects aren’t your thing or you just want something more permanent, this is perfect. (NOTE: The Crafts N Coffee site is no longer active, but I thought you could still use this picture as a guide if you’d like to make your own styrofoam cell model! Or you can look at the next article about how to make a cell model from styrofoam and clay.)
photo credit crafts n coffee
6. Clay Cell
A clay cell model is another more permanent option. This one from Hip Homeschool Moms is fantastic!
photo credit Stephanie Harrington
7. Sandwich Cell
If you’re looking for a simple edible option, try this sandwich cell idea. You could use a large round biscuit or cookie cutter for an animal cell.
photo credit adventures in mommydom
8. Shrinky Dinks Cell
Because my children used to love Shrinky Dinks, this Shrinky Dink cell idea is one of my favorites! I wish I’d found it when my kiddos were younger. The link includes a tutorial for both a plant cell and an animal cell.
photo credit Teacher Thrive
9. Lego Cell
If you’ve got a Lego lover, a Lego cell model is the perfect fit! My son definitely would have loved this one!
photo credit homegrown learners
10. Rice Krispies Treat Cell
Finally, for one last tasty edible cell model idea, try this Rice Krispies treat cell. Yum!
photo credit blessings overflowing
Have you made a cell model that I haven’t included here? Leave your idea in the comments!
Pin this post so you can find it when you get ready to make cell models!
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Wendy is one of the owners of Hip Homeschool Moms, Only Passionate Curiosity, Homeschool Road Trips, Love These Recipes, and Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She married her high school sweetheart, Scott, 29 years ago, and they live in the South with their three children. Hannah, age 25, has autism and was the first homeschool graduate in the family. Noah, age 24, was the second homeschool graduate and the first to leave the nest. Mary Grace, age 18, is the remaining homeschool student. Wendy loves working out and teaching Training for Warriors classes at her local gym. She also enjoys learning along with her family, educational travel, reading, and writing, and she attempts to grow an herb garden every summer with limited success.
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Wendy Hiltonhttps://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/author/wendy/
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Wendy Hiltonhttps://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/author/wendy/
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Wendy Hiltonhttps://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/author/wendy/
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Wendy Hiltonhttps://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/author/wendy/
These all look so awesome! I hope to try a few of them while we’re on break.
Love these! We did a pizza and jello/candy– why didn’t I ever think of Legos??
These are totally awesome! I want to make the fruit pizza with my kids!
These look fantastic! Can’t wait to try them all! 😊
Doing a school project! Thanks for all of the great ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am all about hands-on learning! Thank you for these great ideas that will inspire my students to achieve greatness!
This follows the BJU curriculum and the assignment gives the assessment I need for those tacticle learners. Thanks for sharing!
Using play dough for 3 d is plant cell. Will the play dough get hard or change colors
What can i.use on the play dough to keep the colors bright
theses are so cute i love them i am going to definety do one for my school project
my teacher is using these for our cell project and I saw the cake and was like yes thanks for the inspiration to my teacher