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One of my favorite unit studies of all time was the space unit study we did a few years ago. Our entire family was so engaged in learning about space. (Don’t tell my kids, but I think my husband and I enjoyed the unit as much as they did!)
And because I love space so much, I’m really glad to be adding a new space-related printable to my collection.
Today I am releasing my Space Measurement Activity.
This printable is for children who are ready to use a ruler to measure length in either inches or centimeters. (Children should have a good grasp of numbers before attempting this activity.)
While there are core academic skills at the heart of this activity, kids will be far too engaged with the delightful outer space imagery to notice that they are “working.”
This hands-on activity will feel like play!
Note: For more space activities, see my Space Unit Study page.
The developmental progression of measurement skills
An understanding of measurement begins early on when children compare one object to another. This may occur when a child asks for the biggest apple or when they notice that one book is heavier than another.
Later, children may measure objects using non-standard units, or units that are invented and will vary from person to person. For example, a child may use footsteps to measure the length of the floor or pencils to measure the height of their desk.
Ultimately, we want children to understand and use standard units of measurement, or units that are universally available and are the same size for everyone. These include units for length such as inches and centimeters, units for volume such as gallons and liters, and units for weight such as pounds and kilograms.
Using the Space Measurement Activity
With this activity, kids will work on measuring space-related objects with a ruler. Options are included to measure objects in both inches and centimeters.
(Be sure to print the appropriate pages depending on whether you want your child to work with inches or centimeters.)
For example, kids will use the inches side of the ruler to discover that this Earth is 5 inches tall.
When measuring with inches, kids will also find that some objects are measured in half inches, such as this planet that measures 3.5 inches tall.
When measuring objects in centimeters rather than inches, all of the measurements will be in whole centimeters rather than half centimeters.
The rocket pictured below, for example, measures 22 cm tall.
Kids will record their measurements on a worksheet. (Separate worksheets are included for inches and centimeters.)
After measuring all the objects, kids will rank them from tallest to shortest.
As you can see, kids will practice lots of important skills with this one simple-to-prepare activity!
Want a copy of my Space Measurement Activity Pack?
Get it as part of the Measurement Activity Packs Bundle.
Or get this product by clicking the button below.
More resources for learning about space
Space printables from Gift of Curiosity:
- Solar System 3-Part Cards
- Solar System Lacing Cards
- Phases of the Moon Tracking Worksheet
- Phases of the Moon Worksheets
- Phases of the Moon 3-Part Cards
- Planets Do-a-Dot Printables
- Astronaut Do-a-Dot Printables
You’ll find more resources for learning about space on my Space Unit Study page and my Space and the Solar System Pinterest board.
