Cheap Learning: Measure the World

Every weekday in April, I am posting a unique toddler learning activity I do with my two sons.  These are low cost and simple ways to do something different each day.  You can view any of these posts by looking for the title "Cheap Learning:"

Cheap Learning for Toddlers Day 3 - Measure the World

Materials:
As many different types of measuring tools as you can find around the house.  Below - a yard stick, a measuring tape, a sewing measuring tape, and a 12 inch ruler.

Go outside and teach your toddlers all about measuring.  

What is an inch?

How do you use a ruler?

Count to 36 using the yard stick.

If something is really big, which tool should you use?

Then just let them explore with their new tools.  What can they find to measure?  Which tool should they use?  

Good old fashioned fun.

Then, of course you have to let them play with the measuring tape and have it snap back at them.  That was the best part.