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    Home » Learning Activities for Preschoolers

    Published: Jun 10, 2019 · Modified: Oct 23, 2023 by Fynn · All activities should be supervised by an adult. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Measure the Worms - Hands-on Way to Introduce Measurement

    Inside: An easy measurement activity for preschoolers!

    "Mom, this worm is 4. And that worm is 2."

    When my 3yo could tell me the lengths of these worms in her own simple words, I knew this activity is a WINNER.

    Measuring activity for preschoolers
    Jump to:
    • An effective way to introduce measurement to young children
    • What are standard and non-standard units of measurement?
    • Setting up this measurement activity

    An effective way to introduce measurement to young children

    In particular, this activity introduces children to the concept of non-standard unit measurements, a prior-knowledge for young children to grasp the abstract concept of measurement with standard units in the future.

    Measuring the worms with connecting cubes
    Measuring these worms with cubes, a non-standard unit of measurement

    Related: This worm measurement activity is wonderful for a spring or garden theme unit study, along with this flower counting activity!

    What are standard and non-standard units of measurement?

    Standard units of measurement are widely recognized units like meters, centimeters, inches or feet. Non-standard units of measurement involve measuring with objects that are not typically used. These objects can be random items in the environment like Duplo blocks, hands, paper clips, etc.

    Related: Read about other essential early math skills, such as number sense and subitising.

    Setting up this measurement activity

    • Draw earthworms of various lengths. (I intentionally included two worms of the same lengths.)
    • Set out some connecting cubes with this paper.
    • Now, invite your children to measure the length of each worm by building the cubes up to the same length as the worm. Feel free to demonstrate how to do that for children who are new to the idea of measurement.
    • For children who are comfortable with counting, ask them to count the number of cubes for each worm. Then model the way to express the length of these worms with non-standard units: "This worm is 8 connecting cubes long."

    Related: If your child enjoys using these connecting cubes, here are more math activities with multilink cubes to try together!

    Easy measurement activity for preschoolers

    No connecting cubes?

    We did a similar measurement activity using Duplo blocks. We love how Days With Grey uses magnetic tiles in this gross motor measurement activity too.

    Ask these questions to explore comparative vocabulary and simple relationships between things (an important mathematical skill):

    • Which worm is the longest? Which worm is the shortest?
    • Which two worms are of the same length?
    • Which worm(s) is/are longer/shorter than this one?
    Measuring with non-standard units of measurement

    Bonus: Join my mailing list and download this free guide: 9 Simple Ways to Spark a Love of Learning in your Children. Get this guide now>>

    Here are more great non-standard units measurement activity ideas for preschoolers:

    • Magnetic Measurements by Days with Grey
    • Flower Height Measurement by Stay At Home Educator
    • Measuring Hands and Feet by Little Bins Little Hands
    • Measuring Dinosaurs by Pocket of Preschool

    Looking for more fun, easy math activities? Check out this free printable Pizza Math Activity, and our popular Haircut Number Game.

    Pin this amazing activity for later!

    Measurement activity for Preschoolers Pinterest

    More Learning Activities for Preschoolers

    • Learn to Read Part 4: 10 Easy Sight Words Activities for Kindergarten Beginning Readers
    • Duplo learning activities for preschoolers
      Duplo Inspirations: 9 Fun Duplo Learning Activities for Preschoolers
    • Materials for easy scissor skill development activities for preschoolers
      A Guide to Scissor Skills Development in Preschoolers 
    • 10 Painting Activities which Support Fine Motor Development

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    About Fynn

    Fynn is a Math and Science teacher from Singapore, author of The Happy Learning Book for Siblings and founder of Happy Tot Shelf. She helps parents enjoy home learning with their children through her highly popular kids' activity membership, The Happy Learners' Club. Fynn has been featured in various newspapers, websites and on radio shows as an expert in early childhood learning and creative hands-on learning ideas.

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    Hi there! I’m Fynn—educator, author, and mom of three. I believe a lifelong love of learning starts at home, and I’m here to help you nurture that spark. Together, let’s create joyful learning experiences that strengthen bonds and inspire curiosity for both you and your little ones!

    More about me →

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