Learning to measure objects is a fun way for kids to explore math. Both of my boys are quite skilled in measuring objects using measuring tapes and rulers, but sometimes, it's fun to switch up the measuring tool. Recently, we decided to use a variety of the boys' favorite toys to do some math learning. Not only did they measure their favorite toys and themselves, but we used another favorite toy to do the measuring: Magna-Tiles.
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Simple Math Activity for Kids: Measuring with Magna-Tiles
Magna-Tiles are so wonderful to build, play, and learn with. We have used them for math activities before such as exploring symmetry, building 3D shapes, and copying shapes on the light table. So the Magna-Tiles have definitely been an asset to J's love for all things numbers. For this particular math activity, though, we used the Magna-Tiles to measure some of the boys' favorite toys, books, and people. We used only the small square Magna-Tiles to do the measuring in this activity. For example, this plastic dinosaur measured two squares.
I also wanted to encourage written data collection, so I gave the boys some paper and a pen. The boys worked together to measure and record their data. Here is K measuring the Leap Frog Magic Learning Bus by counting how many Magna-Tiles were used.
K reported to J, who then wrote down the data.
The boys also collaborated to measure larger objects, such as myself and this long stuffed snake. The snake was a whopping 19 Magna-Tiles long.
J then measured K and took it upon himself to write all the data down himself. And then he wrote the written words for the numbers. Oh, and then the numeral form again. And then why not add up the total length of all the objects measured. As is typical of J, he successfully added up all the measurements. Sometimes it is really hard to remember that he is only five when he is doing things well beyond his age!
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