Explaining the concept of gravity to a five year old?

Question

I'm babysitting this five year old and she wants to know why the earth is round and people on earth don't fly off into space. How do I explain the concept of gravity without using high school physics?

Answer 1

just show her gravity.

just drop an apple. and let it fall to the ground.

and there you go.

gravity.

Answer 2

I think it's impossible to explain it to a 5 year old.  Remember, Issac Newton was brilliant, and even then 1) he was an adult before he "understood" what gravity was, and 2) nonetheless knew that there were problems with this "understanding" of gravity.  Best thing to do is to get some magnets and try to introduce the concept of "invisible forces" that can act over distances.  And then say gravity is LIKE magnetism, but is a different kind of force.  

Answer 3

drop a ball

explain about how it didnt float away

Now jump up and down

same?

Answer 4

Uh, the earth attracts objects so they stick to it?  Then drop something on the floor to demonstrate.  Easy.