🔢 Numbers & shapes · Ages 4–5 · about 3 weeks

Measure It

Goal: Compare length, height, weight and capacity, and put three things in order.

For parents: Children compare before they measure. 'Longer', 'heavier' and 'holds more' come long before rulers and scales.

Do together

  1. Hand spans

    You need: Furniture

    Measure the table with your hand spans, then with your child's. Why did they need more hands?

  2. Coat-hanger balance

    You need: A coat hanger, two plastic bags, string

    Hang a bag on each end. Put a potato in one and an onion in the other. Which side goes down? That one is heavier.

  3. Pouring play

    You need: Cups and bottles, water, a bowl or the bath

    Fill, pour, spill. Which cup holds more? Make it full, half full, empty.

Talk about it

  • Which is longer, your arm or my arm?
  • Which is heavier, the book or the pencil?
  • Is the cup full or empty?

Words to use

  • long
  • short
  • tall
  • heavy
  • light
  • full
  • empty

Play

  • Size Safari
    Measuring
  • Shape Builder
    Building
  • Sort It Out
    Sorting
Play these games free

Every game is free for every family until 20 November 2026.

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