This post, Beginning Math Concepts: Measurements, may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through one of these links, Penguins in Pink will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Penguins in Pink is an Amazon Associate site.
To start introducing math concepts to the girls I came up with Beginning Math Concepts: Measurements These activities are a fun way to help kids start conceptualizing the math concept of measurement and reinforcing counting, and greater than, less than, or equal to. Beginning Math Concepts: Measurements also helps them to start thinking critically and problem solving. I included some questions to ask before, during, or after each activity.
Terms to define to the kids:
- Length
- Wideth
- Height
- Shortest/Longest
- Greater than/Less than/ Equal to
Beginning Math Concepts: Measurements
Supplies Needed:
- Assorted small objects in different lengths, i.e. feathers, buttons, pipe cleaners, small toys
- Assorted large objects in different lengths, i.e. books, boxes (shoe, cereal), cans, bottles, large objects in the house (tables, chairs) etc
- Ruler
- Measuring tape
- Paper and pencils
Activity 1: Measure
- Place an assortment of small items on the table.
- Have the kids use a ruler to measure the items by length.
Questions to ask:
- Which item is the shortest?
- Which item is the longest?
- How many items total?
Activity 2: Measuring with different objects
- Use the buttons to measure the feathers.
- Use the feathers to measure the pipe cleaners.
- Repeat using different objects.
Questions to ask
- How many buttons does it take to equal a feather?
- How many feathers does it take to equal a pipe cleaner?
Activity 3: Greater Than, Less Than, or Equal To
- On a sheet of paper, compare the small items to each other.
- Write down the length of the feather and the length of the button. Then write whether the feather is >, <, or = to button.
- Compare each of the small items to each other.
Activity 4: Measuring Big Objects
- Have the kids use a tape measure to measure various big objects around the house.
- Have them record their answers on a piece of paper labeled with the objects.
Questions to ask:
- Which item is the shortest?
- Which item is the longest?
Activity 5: Measuring Big Objects with Small Objects
- Have the kids use paper clips to measure the length of boxes, books, or cans.
- Have them record their answers on a piece of paper labeled with the objects.
Questions to ask:
- How many paper clips long is the shortest item?
- How many paper clips long is the longest item?
- Is it easier to measure with paper clips or a tape measure?
Activity 6: Measuring Boxes
- Have the kids use a tape measure to measure each side of the box.
- Have them record their answers on a piece of paper labeled with height, width, and length.
Questions to ask:
- Which is the shortest height, width, or length?
- Which is the longest height, width, or length?
Activity 7: Measure & Compare 2 or More Boxes
- Give the kids two boxes i.e. a cereal box and a shoe box.
- Have the kids use a tape measure to measure each side of the box.
- Have them record their answers on a piece of paper labeled with height, width, and length.
Questions to ask:
- Which box is the shortest in height?
- Which box is the longest in width?
Be sure to stop by my Math and Science page where I will be linking all our math and science resources. And if you are looking for more homeschool activities, make sure you check out my Homeschool page which contains links to our sensory bins, crafts, and language arts including book lists.
What’s your favorite beginning math concept from the activities above? Share them in the comments below!
Have a great day!
Brandi
This post may or may not contain referral links. Please read my disclosure policy here.
Looking for more Tot School Resources and Ideas? Check out my Homeschool: Totschool, Preschool, Kindergarten board on Pinterest.
Follow Penguins in Pink Blog’s board Homeschool:Toddlers, Preschool, Kindergarten on Pinterest.
Leave a Reply