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Measuring Volume: Hands-On Math Activity

December 8, 2016 by OneMommy

Most people know that kids learn best when they are having fun.  

Hands-on math activities are one way to do that.  

This hands-on measuring volume activity is guaranteed to be a huge hit, and it is super easy to set up.

hands-on math activity: measuring volume math activity

Measuring Volume Activity 

Materials Needed:

  • Dry Rice or Beans
  • Measuring Cups
  • Plastic Containers of Different Shapes and Sizes
  • Measuring Spoons (optional)
  • Large Shallow Container (optional)

The multi-colored rainbow rice we have for sensory bin filler was perfect for this activity.  

To create an invitation to explore measurement, I poured the rice into a large, shallow container and added our measuring cups, spoons, and several small plastic containers of various sizes.  

Don’t have a large enough container?  Just pour the rice into a container wide enough to scoop from.  

Setting it up on a tablecloth will help with clean-up.

hands-on math activity for measuring volume

Measuring Cup Activities

We used our measuring volume math station for several days.

Day 1:  

  • The first day we used this math bin, I allowed the kids to freely explore the containers, pouring rice from one to the next.  
  • I listened in as they commented about how many of the smaller containers they thought it would take to fill a larger one.  
  • Eventually a few small toys were added to the bin, all part of the learning through play experience.

Day 2:  

  • The next day I set the math station up a bit differently, placing all the rice into a smaller container that the kids could scoop out of.  The other containers and measuring cups were placed nearby.  
  • To introduce the idea of measuring volume, I asked them to figure out which of the containers could hold the most rice.  
  • Then I asked them to compare different pairs of containers to figure out which one would hold the most.  
  • They were surprised to discover several differently shaped containers that held the same amount.  
  • I allowed them to continue to explore on their own.

measuring volume hands-on math activity

Day 3:

  • On the third day of our measuring activity we focused on fractions.
  • This time around we looked at the measuring cups and talked about which one held the most.  
  • Then I asked them to figure out how many 1/4 cup measuring cups it would take to fill the 1 cup measuring cup.  
  • After they saw it took 4, I asked them to use that knowledge to guess how many 1/2 cup and 1/3 cup measuring cups it would take to fill the 1 cup measuring cup.  
  • Then we tested their theories.  It was a great hands-on way for them to see just what those fractions mean.

 

More Measurement Activities for Kids

  • Allow the kids to use colored water to explore measurements.  This is great to do outside on a warm day, or take the activity to the bathtub.
  • Try other units of measurement.  How many cups does it take to fill a pint container?  What about a quart or a gallon?
  • Take the measuring to a new level and add in weights.  Use a digital scale to find out how much a quart of rice weighs.  Does a quart of water weigh the same?

This simple hands-on measuring volume activity is a fun way to help kids visualize measurements and fractions.   

For more fun hands-on learning ideas, check out our ABCs & 123s ebook.

hands on measuring volume activities for kids

You may also like these fun hands-on math activities:

  • Subtraction Squish!
  • Homemade Base 10 Manipulatives — Perfect for explaining carrying and borrowing in double digit math.
  • Math Fact Races — Great for kinesthetic learners.
  • Nerf Gun Math
  • Have a Ball with Math Facts 

Filed Under: Math Tagged With: hands on learning, math activity, sensory play

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