The Measuring Stick

The Measuring Stick

Get acquainted with different types of measurement units by using your body.

  • 6+ years
  • Group size: 6+
  • Duration: 20 min
  • Alternative physical activities
  • Physically Active Learning
  • Gym / Sports hall
  • Mountains, forests and fields
  • Open space
  • Indoor
  • Tape measure

Divide participants into groups of 2–3 people. Each group receives a measuring tape and starts by measuring various body parts, such as leg length, arm length, height, head circumference, hand length, etc. Afterwards, the group chooses one body part that provides a 'suitable' unit of measurement (for example, hand length or foot length). This body part will be used as the unit of measurement for the remainder of the task.

The leader then points out different objects or areas to be measured, such as a table, a window, a door, or an entire room. Now, the groups put away the measuring tape and instead measure using their chosen body unit (for example, 'how many hand lengths wide is the table?').