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Have you ever watched a child measure their table with toy cars or figure out the length of a room using footsteps? These moments of discovery are at the heart of non-standard measurement—a perfect way to introduce kids to the world of measuring in a way that's playful and relatable. Non-standard measurement provides young learners with a hands-on approach that builds their confidence before they’re ready to tackle rulers, scales, and standard units. In this post, we’ll explore the value of non-standard measurement, share fun activities you can try at home or in the classroom, and highlight resources that make learning measurement engaging for kids.  Why Non-Standard Measurement?For young children, non-standard measurement is an essential first step in understanding the concept of size, length, height, and volume. Using familiar items like blocks, paperclips, or spoons allows children to focus on the process of measuring without worrying about numbers and formal units. Non-standard measurement:
 Fun Non-Standard Measurement Activities to TryMeasure with What’s Around You:
The Tallest Tower Game:
Relay Race Measurement:
 Check out Non-Standard Measurement Activities and Games: Team Events This resource includes engaging team-based games that make measurement a collaborative and exciting experience. They are perfect for family game nights, classroom centers, or group activities. They encourage children to think creatively while practicing essential math skills.  Non-standard measurement is much more than a stepping stone to standard units—it helps children develop the foundational skills they’ll use throughout their lives. By starting with fun, hands-on activities, you’re building their confidence and setting the stage for deeper learning in math and science. Get a free copy of this measuring activity for extra practice with non-standard measurement.   Next time you’re at home or in the classroom, grab some everyday objects and start measuring. You’ll be amazed at how much kids can learn when math becomes a game. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a structured lesson, non-standard measurement activities bring fun and education together seamlessly.   Related Posts
Science is all about discovery, and there’s no better way to introduce primary-aged children to physics and chemistry than with hands-on experiments! These activities will not only teach them important scientific concepts but also ignite their curiosity about the forces and reactions that shape our world. From gravity to chemical reactions, the possibilities are endless when it comes to exploring science in fun, engaging ways.  Exploring Forces and Reactions with Fun Physics and Chemistry ExperimentsHere are some simple experiments that demonstrate basic principles of physics and chemistry. Perfect for both classroom teachers and homeschoolers, these activities will help kids learn the scientific method while exploring the exciting world of forces and reactions.  Experiment Highlight: Balloon Rocket – Exploring Forces and MotionAsk A Question: What happens to a balloon when it is blown up but not tied up? Make A Hypothesis: I think .... Materials Needed:
Ask kids to describe what happens when the balloon deflates. What makes the balloon move? Can they observe how the force of air pushing out of the balloon propels it forward? This is a great introduction to the concept of action and reaction—in this case, the force of the air being pushed out of the balloon creates an equal and opposite reaction, pushing the balloon along the string. Conclusion: This simple experiment demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It’s a fun and visual way to see how forces work and how they affect motion.  Experiment Highlight: The Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction – Chemistry in ActionAsk A Question: What will happen if we combine baking soda and vinegar? Make A Hypothesis: I think .... Materials Needed:
Ask children to observe and describe the fizzing reaction. What do they think is causing the bubbles? Is there a change in temperature? They can record their observations on an observation chart or in a science journal. Conclusion: This experiment is a fantastic example of a chemical reaction—when an acid (vinegar) reacts with a base (baking soda), it creates carbon dioxide gas, which is responsible for the bubbles. This simple reaction is a great way to talk about how substances can change when combined and how new substances can be formed in the process.  Encourage Exploration: Extensions and Variations
 Experiment Highlight: How Friction Affects MovementAsk A Question: How does the type of surface affect how far a toy car travels? Make A Hypothesis: I think .... Materials Needed:
Ask children to describe what happens when they let the car travel across the different surfaces. Make a table or graph to show the distance results. Conclusion: Discuss which surfaces created the most friction and how this affected the car's motion. This experiment demonstrates how friction can impact the movement of things. Ready to try more fun experiments? Download my Experiment Planning Templates sampler and plan more exciting activities you can try with your students at home or in the classroom!  Fun With Forces And ReactionsExploring forces and chemical reactions with young learners is a fantastic way to spark their interest in science. Whether it’s watching a balloon rocket zoom across the room or observing a bubbling reaction, these experiments give children a chance to see science in action and understand the principles behind everyday phenomena. By incorporating experiments like these into your lessons, you’ll help kids connect abstract concepts to real-world experiences. They’ll begin to understand how the world works through the lens of observation, curiosity, and experimentation.  Thank you for joining me on this journey through the wonderful world of science! I hope these blog posts have provided you with valuable insights and inspiration for engaging young learners with the scientific method, life cycles, and hands-on experiments. Whether you're in the classroom or homeschooling, science can be fun and rewarding for children at any age. Keep exploring, experimenting, and sparking curiosity!
Science is full of amazing wonders, and for young learners, there’s nothing quite as exciting as watching things grow and change right before their eyes! In this post, we’ll dive into biology-focused experiments that allow kids to explore life cycles and the process of growth in plants and animals. These hands-on activities are perfect for both classroom teachers and homeschoolers looking to create meaningful, interactive science lessons. As we explore life and growth, we’ll follow the scientific method and learn how to make predictions, observe changes, and draw conclusions. Let’s get started!  Experiment Highlight: Growing Seeds – The Science of Plant GrowthQuestion: What will happen to the seeds when we put them in a bag with a wet paper towel and place them in the window? Make a Hypothesis: I think ....... Materials Needed:
Kids will watch as the seeds begin to sprout roots and shoots. Encourage them to make daily observations and use a chart to record what they see. They can record changes like the length of the root, color changes, and how fast the plant is growing. They might even want to take pictures to show how things change. Conclusion: After a week or two, have the kids reflect on the growth of the seeds. Did the seeds grow as expected? How did they change? Use this as an opportunity to discuss plant needs, such as sunlight, water, and space. Connect this experiment to the concept of the plant life cycle.  Exploring Life Cycles: The Butterfly Life CycleAsk A Question: How does the egg becomes a butterfly? Make A Hypothesis: I think .... Materials Needed:
Ask kids to think about the different stages of the butterfly’s life. What do they notice about how the caterpillar changes into a butterfly? How does it look different at each stage? Conclusion: This experiment offers a chance to discuss metamorphosis, which is the process of changing from one form to another. You can also connect this to the plant experiment by comparing how living things (plants and animals) grow and change.  Check out this resource if you would like to have posters and information and activities about the life cycle of a buttlerfly. Click on the image to find out more. Encourage Exploration: Extensions and Variations
 Check out this resource if you would like to have a recording journal for your plant observations. Click on the image to find out more. Grab your free copy of this life cycle template. It's great for use with animals and plants.  Making Connections Between Life and GrowthBy exploring the science of life cycles and plant growth, children gain a hands-on understanding of the processes that sustain life. These experiments provide valuable opportunities to practice the scientific method, from making predictions to recording observations and drawing conclusions. The beauty of these activities is that they encourage curiosity and allow kids to explore how living things grow, change, and interact with their environment. Whether you’re teaching in a classroom or homeschooling, these experiments bring biology to life in a fun and accessible way.  Related Posts
Science can be a lot of fun for young learners! When we teach kids the scientific method, we’re helping them build critical thinking skills that will last a lifetime. But what is the scientific method? It’s simply a process scientists use to explore the world around them. In this post series, I’ll break down the steps of the scientific method and show you how you can apply them with simple, engaging experiments that will excite your children. Whether you're teaching in a classroom or homeschooling, these activities will help primary-aged children practice the essential steps of scientific inquiry. Let's dive in!  The Scientific Method: A Quick OverviewThere are basically 6 steps in the scientific method.
 Let's Put It Into ActionWhat better way to understand the scientific method than to put it into action. Let's take a look at an experiment that uses the scientific method as it's framework.  Experiment Highlight: Fizzing Volcano
 Encourage Exploration: Extensions and Variations Once the basic experiment is done, it’s time to explore! Here are some ways you can extend the learning:
Grab a free copy of this poster that helps to explain the steps of the scientific method.  Get Kids Excited About Science!The scientific method is an exciting way to teach kids to think critically and solve problems. By conducting simple experiments like the Fizzing Volcano, children not only learn about science, but they also build observation and reasoning skills. They begin to see the world through the lens of curiosity, asking questions and finding answers in fun and hands-on ways.  Would you like to see more experiments like this? Be sure to check out my future blog posts for more examples of the scientific method in action. Related Posts
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About Me Charlene Sequeira
I am a wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 9, and a retired primary and music teacher. I love working with kids and continue to volunteer at school and teach ukulele. 
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