For grown-ups
Cell City is a free science website for kids ages 8 and up. It covers 334 kinds of cells from people, animals, and plants, with short lessons, quizzes, 3D models, games, and a microscope.
What kids can do here
- Learn: every cell has short lessons that a narrator can read aloud, plus tappable words that pop up a simple meaning.
- Explore: each cell has a 3D model kids can spin, cut open, and even "go inside".
- Practice: a 3-question quiz on every page, games, a zoomable microscope, and Build-a-Body, where kids add cells to build a body, a plant, or animals.
- Earn badges for getting quizzes right.
About the facts
The lessons were written with the help of AI and simplified for young readers. We aimed for accuracy, used words like "about" and "scientists think" where science isn't settled, and left out numbers we weren't sure of. Simplifying always leaves things out, so please treat Cell City as a friendly starting point, not a textbook. If you spot a mistake, we'd love to fix it.
Some pages cover cells that help make a baby. They use plain, science-class wording about what each cell does, and nothing more. You may want to look at the "Making a baby" section on the home page before younger kids explore it.
About the videos
Most pages include a YouTube video chosen from kids' science channels such as SciShow Kids, Peekaboo Kidz (Dr. Binocs), Operation Ouch, KidsHealth, TED-Ed, Smile and Learn, and Learn Bright. Videos marked "For older kids" go into more detail. A few videos come from smaller channels. We checked that every video exists, but we haven't watched all of them, so you may want to preview them. A video only loads from YouTube after a child presses play.
Privacy
- There are no accounts, ads, or sign-ups.
- We don't track visitors.
- Badges, finished lessons, voice choice, and Build-a-Body progress are saved only in this web browser on this device. Nothing is sent to us. Clearing the browser's data, or the "Start over" buttons, removes them.
- Fonts load from Google Fonts and the 3D library loads from jsDelivr. Video pictures and videos load from YouTube, and the videos only load after you press play.
Ideas for teaching
- Start with Animal cells and Plant cells, then use the Compare chart.
- Use the Microscope to practice focusing and zooming, just like a real one.
- Try Build-a-Body to show how every body part is made of cells.
- Many lessons include a safe "Try this" activity to do at home or in class.