Your Child Will Learn
How to use kitchen measuring tools to compare volume
Here’s What to Do
- Gather four clear drinking glasses, measuring cups and spoons, and a larger container full of water (instead of water, you could also use something like rice, pasta, cereal, or dried beans). Cover your table with a towel or work over a baking dish to catch the spills.
- Choose 4 different kitchen measuring tools (like: teaspoon, 1/4 cup measure, 1/2 cup measure, 1 cup measure). Ask your child to scoop water using the first measuring spoon, and pour it into the first cup. Repeat with the other measuring cups and spoons, pouring water into the second, third, and fourth cups.
- Ask your child to compare the amount of water in each cup. Which measuring cup or spoon poured the most water? The least?
- Pour the water back into the large container. Repeat with different measuring cups or spoons, or by measuring different items (like rice, pasta, cereal, or dried beans).
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Gather your supplies together and set them up in front of you and your child, then check – do you have everything you need? Great, you’re ready to begin!
ENGAGE
- “Which measuring cup do you think will hold the most water?”
- “Can you use this measuring cup to scoop water so the cup is totally full? Then pour it into this glass.”
ENCOURAGE
- “Put the cups next to each other and move your head down so your eyes are at the top of the water. Which has more? Which has less?”
- “You thought the 1/4 cup might hold more than the 1/3 cup, but now we know that the 1/3 cup holds more. You’re learning how to measure!”
REFLECT
- What else besides measuring cups and spoons could we use for this experiment? (pots, storage containers, sandbox toys, etc.)
Not Quite Ready
Try the same activity with 3 cups instead of 4.
Ready for More
Try the same activity with 5 cups instead of 4.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will be able to use measuring tools to compare volume.
Time to Complete
15 minutes
Materials Needed
Four clear drinking glasses (or other clear containers), kitchen measuring cups and spoons, a bowl full of water (or if you prefer: rice, pasta, cereal, or dried beans)