How do I explain to my 5 year old why blood is red

[kelfoan]

My son asked me why blood is red (after bashing his nose and spurting blood everywhere!). I dont want a technical answer, just a way to explain it to a 5 year old. Any suggestions

[Nemo n Dory]

If he eats a red vegetable, fruit or sweet you could say its because he eats that certain veg, fruit or sweet.

[ACB312]

Just explain that blood is red - in the same way that grass is green, the sky is blue, roads are generally black and tree bark is brown (with variations) - just tell it like it is. Apply your own colour definitions. You said you don't want a technical answer so here it is. Sorry if that sounds a bit blunt but I've brought up four kids and tried to answer all their questions at all times with an appropriate response, just wait (and enjoy the challenge) of the teenage questioning....!

[EssJay1]

I agree with ACB312. You could add that until it reaches the air, it's more a blue colour. Isn't the body fantastic!

[Bohne]

My first idea would have been to say:

There are tiny little red balloons in the blood.
However, the balloons are so tiny, you cannot see them with your eyes.
Then show him an enlarged picture of red blood cells.

I believe that staying closest to the truth is always best, and at five years old, children are not stupid and often don't take well to being lied to, or being told stupid stories, once they find out.

So I definitely would NOT go with the first suggestion.

[gessoo]

Totally agree with Bohne. Her explanation would be great and understandable. I am a firm believer in telling the truth in a way that they can understand.

[kazzianne]

you could get a kids book from the library that explains things basically for him and show him the pictures.I do that a lot with my kids and they find it fascinating.

[smudge]

I know you didn't want a technical answer, but p'raps you could pick out a few ideas from this link, giving your son a simple honest answer.

Good luck.

[bookermel]

My son asked me why the sky was blue at about 3 and was then completely unimpressed with my answer involving pixies and tins of left over blue paint and no green left! So his dad who is far better at explaining about defraction of light and other such things told him the real reason which he thought was so cool. Now he is 13 and working 2 levels ahead of his peers at science and enjoys surfing the net for physics sites and discussing lots of sciency things with his dad! My daughter was far more impressed with the pixies! Great at english still ok at science! So take your choice!

Good luck Mel

P.S. The Magic Schoolbus books are great for simple explinations that me and my daughter can understand!

[bookermel]

Just had a look at Smudges site its a good un I'd go along with that

[smudge]

Thanks bookermel - I thought it was quite interesting too!

[libranaster]

You should always tell children the truth just make the answer simple for the age group. Oxygen makes our blood red.