How to Measure Growing Dinosaurs with Your Kids
Here are some fun measurement activities for preschoolers. Kids will enjoy using the printable measuring strip to record the growth of little growing dinosaurs.
Kids enjoy watching creatures grow in water. Why not use the wonderful growing animals to learn about measurement and how to record the measurement.
Let me show you how to do this fun math activity with your kids.
Supplies
To begin, you will need the following supplies. I have included a few affiliate links at the bottom of this post for your shopping convenience. If you purchase something from a link, there will be no additional cost to you, but a small portion of your purchase will be used towards the cost of maintaining this website:
- small growing dinosaurs
- clear plastic cups
- permanent marker
- water
- printable measuring strip
Download the Printable Measuring Strips
I have created some measuring strips for you. They are centimeter strips. The left side of each strip contains a star. Use the star to help kids remember where to line up their dinosaur tail to start their measurement. Each centimeter is highlighted with a different color so it is easy for kids to see each unit of measure.
You will need to print the measuring strips, cut them out, and laminate them for this activity. To get your free printable measuring strips, click on the link below.
Measure the Dinosaurs
Now that you have gathered your supplies and prepared your measuring strips, you are ready to begin the activity. Select a dinosaur and measure it while it is dry. The best way to do it is to measure from tail to nose. Help kids make a mark on their measuring strips.
After measuring the dry dinosaurs, place each dinosaur in a clear cup filled with water. Ask the kids what they think will happen? Kids can record their data and/or predictions in blank books.
Measure Again
Let the dinosaurs soak in the water for a day or two. Then take them out of the water, pat them dry with a towel, and measure them again. Help the kids record the new measurement on the strips.
Questions for Your Kids
Here are a few open-end questions to ask kids:
- How is the dinosaur different after is soaked in water?
- How does the dinosaur feel?
- Why do you think that happened?
- What do you think will happen if we put it in the water for another day?
- What do you think will happen if we leave it out of the water instead?
You can continue to soak and measure the dinosaurs until they stop growing. Kids can make predictions about how big they will get and how long they will continue to grow.
If kids enjoy the activity, there are many ways that you can extend it. You can also take them out of the water and record their shrinkage. Kids may also enjoy experimenting with different types of liquids to see how the dinosaurs react.
I hope that you enjoy these measurement activities for preschoolers. If you have any additional ideas for using the measurement strips and/or the growing dinosaurs, I would love to hear them in the comments below.
Additional Measurement Activities in the Store
Below are some measurement activities from my store. Click on the images to check them out.
Below are some items from Amazon that can be used for the activities mentioned in this article. The links below are affiliate links. If you happen to purchase something from a link, there will be no additional cost to you, but a small portion of your purchase will be used towards the cost of maintaining this website.