| Measuring stuff around the house is a fun and easy | | | | then log the result on a piece of paper. Now find |
| science activity for kids. It's perfect for Saturday | | | | something 1/2 the width of the picture on the wall--for |
| afternoons or whenever you want to spend some | | | | example: your toaster. Measure it, then log the result. |
| quality, stress free time with your child. These simple | | | | Now find something 1/2 the width of your toaster--for |
| measurement games are flexible enough to grow with | | | | example: 1/2 a sandwich. Measure it, then log the result. |
| your child's developing skills. | | | | Keep playing until you find something that is |
| Here's All You'll Need to Get Started: | | | | approximately one inch long--a peanut for example. |
| -Tape measure | | | | Log the result on a piece of paper. |
| -Ruler | | | | (Advanced: keep track of how long it took to |
| -Paper and pencil | | | | complete the activity. Compare the result each new |
| Activity 1 | | | | time you complete this activity. What's the trend?) |
| The Alphabet Game | | | | Activity 3 |
| Here's how to play this measuring game... | | | | Double Double! |
| Hunt for three things around the house that start with | | | | Here's how to play this game... |
| the letter A. Measure each item and log the | | | | In this game, start by measuring your child's nose. If |
| measurement on a piece of paper. (Hint:round to the | | | | you measure the width, it should come out to |
| nearest inch.) | | | | approximately one inch. Log the results. (Your child will |
| Now hunt for three things around the house that start | | | | love seeing something like 'Claire's nose: 1 inch' on your |
| with the letter B. Measure each item and log the | | | | chart). Now find something approximately double the |
| measurement on a piece of paper. | | | | length--for example: a strawberry. Measure it and log |
| Next hunt for three things around the house that start | | | | the results. Now find something approximately double |
| with the letter C. Measure each item and log the | | | | the length of the strawberry. Measure it and log the |
| measurement on a piece of paper. | | | | results. Keep going until you run out of things to |
| Now put a check mark next to the biggest item. Put a | | | | measure. |
| circle next to the smallest item. | | | | (Advanced: measure the entire length of your house. |
| (Advanced: how many of the smallest items would it | | | | Using that figure as a guide, estimate the distance to |
| take to equal the length of the longest item?) | | | | your mailbox, nearest park or grocery store). |
| Activity 2 | | | | Measuring things goes hand in hand with the |
| 1/2 a Sandwich and a Cup of Soup Please | | | | fundamentals of science. These activities offer basic |
| Here's how to play this measurement game... | | | | exposure to measuring procedures, and can be played |
| Measure the length of your couch. Log the result on a | | | | again and again. As your child becomes more skillful at |
| piece of paper. Now find something around the house | | | | measuring stuff, work toward more precise |
| that is approximately 1/2 the length of the couch--for | | | | measurements by rounding to the nearest 1/2 inch, and |
| example: the width of your dining table. Measure it, then | | | | eventually to the nearest 1/4 or 1/8 inch. A good way |
| log the result on a piece of paper. Now find something | | | | to engage in even more precise measurements is to |
| that is approximately 1/2 the width of your dining | | | | measure coins or book ends to the nearest 1/16 of an |
| table--for example: a picture on the wall. Measure it, | | | | inch! Be sure to record the results. Have fun! |