Parts of the Body: Free KS1 Label and Colour Worksheet

What this worksheet teaches

This worksheet focuses on the basic external parts of the human body that children meet in Year 1: the head, neck, arms, elbows, legs, knees, hands and feet. Naming these parts is one of the first steps in the National Curriculum's Animals, including humans strand, and it gives children a shared vocabulary they will build on when they later learn about the senses, growth and keeping healthy. Eight numbered markers on the figure show where each part is, and children write the matching word from the word bank on each numbered line. The figure is drawn without hair or clothes, so the final task asks children to draw those on before colouring, which gives a natural moment to talk about what makes each person look different.

How to use it at home or in class

Print the sheet and read the body-part words in the word bank together before children begin. Encourage them to point to the part on their own body first, which links the abstract word to something concrete and memorable. Children can then copy each word from the word bank onto the numbered line that matches the marker on the figure. Saying the words aloud as a group, or playing a quick game of 'point to your knees, point to your elbows', helps embed the language before the writing begins. Elbows and knees are not drawn as separate shapes, so children have to think about where the arm and leg bend; bending their own arm and leg first helps.

Extending the learning

Once children are confident with the basic parts, you can extend the activity by introducing the five senses and which body part is linked to each one, as the curriculum suggests. Ask which part we use to see (eyes), hear (ears), smell (nose), taste (tongue) and touch (skin or hands). You might also compare the human body with the animals children have been studying, noticing that many animals have heads, legs and feet too, but that features such as fur, wings, tails or fins are different. These comparisons help children begin to sort and group living things, a key scientific skill.

Why labelling matters in early science

Labelling diagrams is a core scientific skill that begins in KS1 and continues throughout a child's education. By matching words to the right parts of a clear picture, children practise careful observation, develop subject-specific vocabulary and learn that diagrams carry information. Doing this with the human body works well because the subject matter is familiar and personal: every child already has a head, hands and feet to point to. This makes the body a good starting point for building confidence with reading, writing and recording scientific knowledge.

Frequently asked questions