Measurement Games for Kids

What is measurement?

“Measurement” in mathematical terms is referred to the define magnitude of a quantity or figure in globally accepted standard units to evaluate the size (distance, height or length) and volume or mass for analysis. The units of measurement are classified in U.S. or imperial system and metric system.

Units of measurement:

Imperial system of measurement

Formulated by the British empire, the system has a standard set of units to measure physical quantities and others.

Metric system

 French First Republic in the year 1799 proposed the set of globally acknowledged units under a decimal system of measurement.

Math Games for learning about measurement

Learning & outcomes

A step next to basics of addition and subtraction, measurement games insist your child to use the basics in an advanced manner.

With defined conversion methods, easy-to-remember units are useful in our routine life. Math Games on measurement are useful for your child to nurture and excel in the application part of the respective methods. To be first in math with simple tricks and clear techniques will always be your child’s strength in all fields.

The projected outcomes of the learning are:

• Introduction to the concept of measurement
• Familiarity with the objects and items which can be measured based on different attributes such as dimensions and volume
• Learning about the units of conversion and their implementation
• Practical application of the value conversion using formulas

Required math skills: 

The basic math operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of two numbers is the first prerequisite to comprehend measurement techniques during preschool. With the progression of other math concepts in each grade, the concept of measurement advances to a further level. Another prerequisite for measurement games is the understanding of colors, shapes, physical characteristics of the objects such as sides & corner etc. which abets to calibrate the dimensions using physical quantities.

Grade-wise progression for measurement

In kindergarten, measurement is introduced to children through simple physical quantities. These quantities are length, height, weight, and capacity etc in simple terms.

Children learn about the length and height by comparison of small and large objects around them. The objects can be chair, table, color pencils, and boxes etc. A child is capable of identifying a small and a large object by observing its length and height.

In grade 1, kids can arrange and order shapes of different size by seeing their pictures or by holding them. Also, they can determine the physical quantities of these shapes using a simple ruler with markings in centimeter and inches.

In grade 2, kids read about the globally acknowledged units of measurement. They are customary and metric. These units are used for measuring length and height of shapes of different sizes. Children use their skills of arrangement and measurement to solve simple word problems based on their learning from 1st grade math.

In grade 3, kids use customary and metric units to calculate the area and perimeter of the figures.  The regular and non-regular figures are square, rectangle and triangle, etc. Other skills developed are:

• Reading and interpreting data from a line plot and representing it
• Solving word problems about measurement units and techniques of data representation
• Representing regular shapes and bar on a graph for the given data

In grade 4, measurement skills are further enhanced to understanding the concept of angles. Kids are taught to use a protractor to measure the angle between two lines meeting at one common end point

The development of following skills takes place:

• Measuring and drawing angles
• Addition and subtraction of the angles
• Complex problems on area and perimeter

In grade 5, measurement units, their conversion technique and application part is introduced. Kids can correlate the knowledge in a practical manner. SplashLearn ensures that the kids can apply their knowledge of measurement and respective units. Simple & fun-based games are meant to fairly understand the concepts.

Engagement: Measurement games for young kids in grade-5 with a step-by-step technique allow them to use the skills in day-to-day problems. This also helps them to build confidence and implementing other mathematical skills like addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division smartly for getting the right answer.

Techniques for learning types of measurement

Distance / length / height measurement

 

Distance is the space between two points and marked by a discrete unit of length of constant magnitude. Length or distance measurement evaluates a  linear path between two points. The instruments like a ruler, inch-tape or others are used to measure length.

 

Whereas, height is the measurement of an object from base-to-top or head-to-toe in the same units.

Application: The physical quantity, length determines that how long an object is. For example a ribbon, fabric roll or sides of geometric figures such as square, rectangle or triangle’s sides. Distance is used for measuring the space between two living or non-living objects, vehicles, cities or any other place.

The measurement of height is useful for measuring the height of humans, as well as for placing any object on the wall or an elevated place as specified.

                

Reference images to illustrate distance, height and length

Units of measurement: The different units to measure distance as per US / imperial and metric conversions are as follows:

• U.S. customary or imperial unit –  

• Inches - in, Foot – ft , Yards – yd, Miles - mile

• Metric unit –  

• Millimeters – mm, Centimeters – cm, Meters - m, Kilometers – km

Conversion method:

 

 

Let’s game it – examples:

All the following examples are solved using the conversion calculator chart listed above.

1. 3 ft. = _____ inches

  a. Multiply 3 to 12 using conversion chart

  b. 36 = 3 X 12

 

1. Joseph bough paper roll for packing gifts. He cuts paper in three pieces of 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm. What is the total length of paper roll in meters?

  a. Add the three lengths

    ¡. 30 + 40 + 50 cm = 120 cm

  b. Divide the length by 10 to convert in meter (refer chart)

    ¡. 120 cm / 100 = 1.2 meter

 

1. The distance between two tables placed in a room is 6 ft. The distance is _______ inches and ______ meter

  a. Multiply 6 to 12 for conversion in inches and 6 to 30.48 for meter using chart

    ¡. 6 x 12 = 72 inches

    ¡¡. 6 X 30.48 = 182.88 centimeter

1. Write the measurements of following figures:

1. The length of my writing pen is: ____ inches / ____ cm
2. The length of my lunch box is: ______ cm / _____ inches
3. The height of our refrigerator is: _____ ft / ______ m
4. The distance between my house and school is: ______ km / ____ yards

Volume measurement for liquids

 

Unlike solids, volume measurement for liquids is referred as the space that an object takes up. For a hollow object, volume is the amount of liquid that object can hold. Thus, the measurement quantities for the weights of solids and volume are different. For example, a glass jar. It may weigh lesser and may carry more volume when filled with water or oil.

 

Application: Volume measurement of liquid quantities is useful for measuring food items. These items are oils, juices, syrup, honey and other liquids. The instruments used for liquid measurement are cups, jars and glasses with markings on them. These units are also useful in measuring other liquid items like petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas and similar compressed gases.  US customary cup as a unit is also used for cooking purpose.

Another practical application of volume measurement is in the field of chemical sciences. They are useful in the computation of liquid quantities while performing chemical and clinical tests. Scientists measure the amount in small units like milliliters to perform such tests.

 

Reference image:

Next section elaborates the units for measurement in the imperial, US customary and metric system.

Units of measurement:

The units of measurement for volume are:

• Metric

• Mililiter – ml, centiliter – cL, liter – L, kiloliter – kL

• US Customary

• Fluid ounce – fl. oz., Cup, Pint, Quart, Liquid Gallon

• UK Imperial:

• Fluid ounce – fl. oz., Cup, Pint, Quart, Liquid Gallon

Though US customary and UK imperial units have the same name, standard measurement values differ for each system. Next section elaborates the unit conversion chart for all three units.

Conversion method:

The metric conversion chart/ conversion calculator for the metric conversion units is as follows:

 

 

Weight measurement for solids

 

Weight measurement refers to the amount evaluated to weigh an object which is solid in shape. The respective physical quantity determines how heavy the object is. Analog and digital weighing scales are designed to measure human body weight. These scales accurately display the weight on a dial or through a digital display.

 

Application: Weight measurement techniques are applied to weigh food portions and other items. These foods can be meats, poultry, fruits, vegetables and grains like rice, pulses as well as metallic objects.

Next section features standard units of weight measurement in the metric and imperial system to convert weight as required.

Units of measurement: Weight measurement units for the two systems are:

1. U.S. customary or imperial units–

  a. Ounce – oz., Pound – lbs

1. Metric units–

  a. Milligram – mg, Gram – g, Kilogram – kg, Hundredweight – cwt, Ton

Conversion method: The unit conversion chart for the different units is as follows:

 

 

Time measurement

 

Time measurement is used for evaluating the time interval or the duration required to perform a task. Contemporary time measurement devices are wall-clocks, wrist-watch, stopwatch, and calendar. A clock with second, minute and hour hand has 12 equal divisions indicating minutes and hours from 1 to 12. A timepiece Digital clock can display time in 12-hour and 24-hour format. A calendar has 12 months from January to December. These months have approximately 52 weeks in total, classified from Sunday to Monday. All these instruments of time measurement are used to solve simple math problems as well.

 

Application: The concept is applied in calculating time consumed or the duration of a specific event or activity. It is useful for solving equation based problems of work and time. For example, a work is completed in 120 minutes, then how much time was taken in hours to complete the work?

Units of measurement: The time measurement units for the contemporary use starts from second. With a defined magnitude of 60 seconds in 1 minutes, the section ahead explains the conversion of time units. Following image illustrates the conversion of units pertaining to time.

Conversion method:

The conversion method for units of time is as follows:

SplashLearn Measurement worksheet

SplashLearn lets your child learn the complex conversion of measurement units. Comprehensive and well-planned worksheets from SplashLearn are unique. Our fun games cover all the essentials of the recommended curriculum as per the common core math standards till grade pre k-5. Simple charts help kids to remember the units and conversions to use later. With interactive games equipped with theme-based environment, the measurement games boost confidence in kids to excel in math.