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Estimating the circumference of an apple {apple math}

10 Comments Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade

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During our apple unit, we of course studied apples themselves. But I also wanted to use apples to explore other parts of the curriculum like science, literacy, and math. In this post I’m sharing an activity in which we used apples to practice the math skills of estimation and measurement.

Estimating the circumference of an apple is a very easy activity you can do with just a few basic materials and virtually no prep time. And it provides kids with a fun and tangible way to think about size, length, and potentially how to use a ruler.

Note: For more apple activities, see my apple unit study page.  

Estimating the circumference of an apple - this apple math activity encourages kids to develop estimation and measurement skills. #apples #handsonmath || Gift of Curiosity

For this activity, I gathered the following materials:

  • An apple
  • A pair of kid-friendly scissors
  • Yarn or string (the yarn in the photo had already been cut, but to do this activity start with the yarn uncut)
  • For kids who know their numbers, you may also wish to add a ruler to this activity
Estimating the circumference of an apple - this apple math activity encourages kids to develop estimation and measurement skills. #apples #handsonmath || Gift of Curiosity

I began by placing the apple in front of my kids. We talked about circumference being the distance around the apple. I let them hold the apple and feel around its circumference to get a sense for its size.

I then invited my kids to cut some yarn to a length that they thought would go around the circumference of the apple. Each kid estimated the amount of yarn they thought would be needed, and then made their cut.

Estimating the circumference of an apple - this apple math activity encourages kids to develop estimation and measurement skills. #apples #handsonmath || Gift of Curiosity

Once the yarn was cut, they tried wrapping it around the apple to see how close the estimate was.

One length of the yarn was too short.

Estimating the circumference of an apple - this apple math activity encourages kids to develop estimation and measurement skills. #apples #handsonmath || Gift of Curiosity

And the other was a tad too long.

Estimating the circumference of an apple - this apple math activity encourages kids to develop estimation and measurement skills. #apples #handsonmath || Gift of Curiosity

There are several ways to extend this activity:

  • If doing this activity with multiple kids, have them put their strings into order from shortest to longest.
  • For kids who know their numbers, have them measure their strings using a ruler.
  • After checking whether their string is too short or too long (or just right!), have them cut a second string to try to get closer to the true circumference of the apple.
  • Use multiple apples of different sizes, and have kids measure strings for each of the apples.

How else would you extend this activity to promote kids’ learning?

Apple Unit Study - BUY NOW

More apple resources

More apple posts from Gift of Curiosity:

  • Apple Unit Study
  • Apple Printables Pack
  • Apple Do-a-Dot Printables
  • Apple taste testing
  • Apple rotting experiment
  • Dissecting an apple
  • Apple sensory bin
  • Apple Montessori activities

For more kid-friendly apple activities and apple printables, see my Apple Unit Study page and my Apples Pinterest board.

Filed Under: Preschool, Fall, Kindergarten, Apples, 1st Grade, Math

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Reader Interactions

10 Comments

  1. Kristi

    September 7, 2014 at 10:35 am

    This is a great activity. In our program we have a nutrition program called Food for Thought and this would be a wonderful addition to some of the math experiences we already have.
    Another way to extend this is to have children guess the circumference of other items or fruits.

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie SG

      September 7, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      Ooh, yes, it would be really fun to compare the circumferences of different fruits!

      Reply to this comment
    • Iffat

      July 9, 2020 at 11:31 pm

      This is a great activity….Thank u katie

      Reply to this comment
  2. Joy Carlson

    September 7, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Have the children measure around the apple over the stem. It might be interesting to see of the measurement is the same or different. Have different kinds of apples to compare sizes.

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie SG

      September 7, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      Great ideas Joy! I really never thought to have them measure around the stem, but I love your ideas of comparing the measurements.

      Reply to this comment
  3. Alyona

    September 8, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Thank you so much! It’s a great pleasure to read all of your posts!!!

    Reply to this comment
  4. Bethany W.

    September 8, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    We did this same activity only with pumpkins! There are many different sizes of pumpkins and it was fun to have the kids see the difference with the strings! Never thought to do it with apples!! Thanks for the idea 🙂

    Reply to this comment
  5. Dineen

    September 9, 2014 at 6:07 am

    If you have multiple kids, (or fruits) you can graph the results over multiple trials. (Short, Long, Just right) This will work also if you compare equatorial circumference to longitudinal circumference (adding geographical terms).

    Reply to this comment
  6. Samantha @ Stir the Wonder

    September 14, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    What a wonderful way to learn math with apples! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop! We hope you stop by again next week!

    Reply to this comment
  7. Ashley

    September 17, 2014 at 4:38 am

    Very fun idea for learning about circumference and estimating! Featured you on Mom’s Library!

    Reply to this comment

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I help parents who are transitioning into homeschooling shed old mindsets and embrace their homeschooling superpowers so they can create a homeschool they love where their children will thrive.

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