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    Science · Labelling and colouring worksheet

    Label the Human Skeleton: Free KS2 Science Worksheet

    This free printable worksheet introduces children aged 7 to 9 to the main bones of the human skeleton. It pairs a clear, child-friendly skeleton diagram with a labelling task and a colouring activity, so learning feels hands-on rather than purely written.

    It is designed to support the Year 3 topic Animals, including humans, where children learn that humans and some other animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection and movement. Everything fits onto a single A4 page, ready to print at home or in the classroom.

    Ages 7 to 9KS2 (Years 3 to 4)Free to printFree to share
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    Label the Human Skeleton

    Free Science worksheet · Ages 7 to 9

    Name:
    Line drawing of a single front-facing human skeleton standing upright, with clearly separated bone groups (skull, ribcage, spine, arm bones, hip bones and leg bones) drawn in bold black outlines on white, ready to label and colour.

    Activity 1

    Use the words in the word bank to label the main bones of the skeleton. Write each word on the line next to the correct part.

    Word bank:Skull · Ribcage · Backbone (spine) · Arm bones · Hip bones · Leg bones

    1. The hard, rounded bone that protects the brain

    2. The curved bones that protect the heart and lungs

    3. The long line of bones down the middle of the back that helps you stand up straight

    4. The bones that let you reach, lift and wave

    5. The wide bones near the bottom of the body that connect to the legs

    6. The strong bones you use to walk, run and jump

    Activity 2

    Now colour the skeleton. Use the colour key to make each part of the skeleton a different colour.

    • Colour the skull blue
    • Colour the ribcage red
    • Colour the backbone (spine) green
    • Colour the arm bones yellow
    • Colour the hip bones orange
    • Colour the leg bones purple
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    Answer key
    • The hard, rounded bone that protects the brain — Skull
    • The curved bones that protect the heart and lungs — Ribcage
    • The long line of bones down the middle of the back that helps you stand up straight — Backbone (spine)
    • The bones that let you reach, lift and wave — Arm bones
    • The wide bones near the bottom of the body that connect to the legs — Hip bones
    • The strong bones you use to walk, run and jump — Leg bones

    What is on the worksheet

    The worksheet shows a single, front-facing human skeleton drawn in simple line art. Around the diagram, children write the names of six main bone groups: the skull, the ribcage, the backbone (spine), the arm bones, the hip bones and the leg bones. A word bank is provided at the top so children can match each name to the right part of the body. Once they have labelled the skeleton, they colour each bone group, which reinforces where one part of the skeleton ends and the next begins. The whole activity fits neatly on one A4 sheet.

    How to use it at home or in the classroom

    Print the sheet on plain A4 paper. Before children start writing, ask them to point to each bone group on their own body and gently feel where it is, for example tapping the ribs or running a hand down the spine. This links the diagram to their own experience. Children then use the word bank to label each part, and colour the diagram afterwards. As an extension, ask why each bone group is useful, for example that the skull protects the brain and the ribcage protects the heart and lungs. The colouring stage also makes a calm, focused activity for the end of a lesson or a quiet moment at home.

    What your child will learn

    Children will be able to name the main bones of the human skeleton and locate them on a diagram and on themselves. They will understand that the skeleton has three big jobs: it supports the body and helps us stand upright, it protects soft organs such as the brain, heart and lungs, and it allows movement by giving muscles something firm to pull against. They will also begin to use scientific vocabulary, such as skull, ribcage and spine, with growing confidence. This builds the foundation for later work on muscles and how the body moves.

    A note for teachers

    This sheet supports the statutory Year 3 objective within Animals, including humans. The labelling uses everyday, age-appropriate terms (skull, ribcage, backbone or spine, arm bones, hip bones, leg bones) rather than full anatomical names such as cranium, vertebrae or femur, which keeps the cognitive load suitable for lower KS2. If you wish to stretch more confident pupils, you can introduce the correct scientific names alongside the simpler ones, or ask children to add the matching organ that each bone group protects. The word bank can be folded under or covered to turn the task into a recall activity for assessment.

    Frequently asked questions

    What are the main bones of the human skeleton for KS2?

    For lower KS2, children usually learn the main bone groups in everyday terms: the skull, the ribcage, the backbone (also called the spine), the arm bones, the hip bones and the leg bones. This worksheet uses these simpler names, with scientific terms such as cranium or vertebrae left as an optional extension for more confident children.

    Why do humans have a skeleton?

    A skeleton has three main jobs: support, protection and movement. It supports the body and helps us stand upright, it protects soft organs such as the brain, heart and lungs, and it allows movement by giving the muscles something firm to pull against. This matches the wording of the Year 3 National Curriculum objective.

    What age and key stage is this worksheet for?

    It is aimed at children aged 7 to 9 in KS2 (Years 3 to 4), and it supports the statutory Year 3 topic Animals, including humans. Confident younger children or those needing a little more support in older year groups may also find it useful.

    Is this skeleton worksheet free to print?

    Yes. The worksheet is completely free to download and print. It is designed to fit on a single A4 page, so it is easy to use at home or to print as a class set.

    How can I make the worksheet harder or easier?

    To make it easier, leave the word bank visible so children simply match the names to the diagram. To make it harder, cover or fold away the word bank so children recall the names from memory, or ask them to add the correct scientific names and the organ each bone group protects.

    Curriculum links

    • KS2 Year 3 Science, Animals, including humans (statutory): identify that humans and some other animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection and movement.
    • KS2 Science working scientifically: identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes.
    • KS2 Science working scientifically: using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.
    • KS2 Year 3 Science: developing scientific vocabulary to describe parts of the human body.

    Made by The Owee education team. Updated 02/06/2026. Free to print and share.

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