Marvellous Machines: questions to ask and activities to try
Use a magic lens to see inside incredible machines. Marvellous Machines is an interactive look at engineering and how things work.
What age is it for? Marvellous Machines is best for ages 7–10. Good for: Looking inside incredible machines.
Marvellous Machines (Jane Wilsher and Andrés Lozano)
- Age
- 7-10
- Best for
- Looking inside incredible machines
Use the magic lens together and explain one machine at a time.
What it helps with
- How machines work
- Engineering and science
- Curiosity
- Interactive non-fiction
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Which machine did we look at?”
- “What’s inside it?”
- “How does it work?”
- “Which part surprised you?”
- “What machine would you invent?”
- “Which machines do we use every day?”
5-minute activities to try together
Take apart
Take apart an old broken toy (with help) to see inside.
Machine diagram
Draw and label a machine from home.
Free printables: Marvellous Machines worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Until I Met Dudley (Roger McGough and Chris Riddell)
- Best for
- Silly explanations, and how machines really work
- Age
- 4-8
An Engineer Like Me (Shini Somara and Nadja Sarell)
- Best for
- Curiosity, engineering and inventing things
- Age
- 5-8
Building a Home (Polly Faber and Klas Fahlén)
- Best for
- Diggers, builders and how a home gets made
- Age
- 3-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.