Wheel - Facts for Kids

The average car tire spins about 800 times during one mile of driving.

A bicycle wheel spinning at 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) makes about 270 rotations every minute.

The largest tire in the world is about 80 feet (24 m) tall and weighs 12 tons — it’s a tourist attraction in Michigan!

The first wheel ever found by archaeologists is over 5,000 years old and was discovered in Slovenia.

The London Eye Ferris wheel carries about 3.5 million passengers every year.

Gears are like wheels with teeth that work together to change speed or direction of movement.

Pulleys are special wheels with grooves that help lift heavy objects using ropes.

Propellers are like twisted wheels that push air or water to move vehicles.

Ball bearings are tiny metal balls that act like millions of tiny wheels reducing friction.

Turbines use wheel-like structures to convert flowing water or air into electricity.

Flywheels store energy by spinning really fast, like a super-powered fidget spinner.

Cogwheels in watches and clocks work together like tiny wheels to keep accurate time.

Conveyor belts use wheels and rollers to move objects in factories and stores.