Launching Cars Measuring Practice

Our latest Challenge and Discover theme is Fun with Rulers. We’re challenging you to practice measuring with rulers with your kids. Today’s activity is a quick play idea that does just that. Try out our launching cars measuring practice and see how fun rulers can be.

Launching Cars Measuring Practice

This activity is so simple, but it’s tons of fun. All you need are cars, a measuring tape {I use a cloth measuring tape from my sewing basket. I like it better for use with kids than a metal measuring tape.}, and a launcher. We used a ramp launcher from a Hot Wheels set, but you could also use a regular Hot Wheels launcher like the one shown below {it’s an Amazon affiliate link}. You’ll find it costs less at Toys R’ Us than on Amazon. If you don’t have a launcher, you could just have your child push the cars on the floor or send them down a ramp.

Lay out the measuring tape on the floor. Place the launcher at zero end of the measuring tape. We made sure the zero end of the measuring tape started at the back of the car.

Release your car and watch how far it travels. Measure the distance once it lands. For younger children have them find the nearest whole number. For the car below, we might say it traveled 27 inches because we are measuring to the back of the car. In this case the car flipped around, but we still want to measure the end of the car nearest the start.

For older children show them what the marks in between the whole numbers mean. “Your car traveled more than 31 inches but less than 32 inches. It traveled about 31 and a half inches.”

Questions to ask:

• Do some cars travel farther than others?
• Does the same car always travel the same distance?
• Do larger cars travel farther? Or smaller cars?
• Which car traveled the farthest?
• Which car traveled the shortest distance?

In addition to measuring practice, you are giving your child a chance to practice number recognition. Sometimes it’s difficult to find authentic ways to practice reading larger numbers. {You could always make up a game like we did with our Counting with a Block Maze and Remote Control Car activity.}

Grab your rulers and introduce measuring to your kids! Link up your fun with rulers on the challenge page now until the end of March. You can also share photos of your activities on our Facebook page or in the Science for Kids community on Google+.

Linking up here.