Grams and Kilograms Activities for Kids
In this set of activities adaptable for grades K-3, parents and educators will find ideas for teaching about grams and kilograms, the metric units of measurement. These activities are designed to complement the BrainPOP Jr. Grams and Kilograms topic page, which includes a movie, quizzes, online games, printable activities, and more.
Classroom Activities for Teaching Grams and Kilograms
Comparing Mass
Screen the Comparing Numbers movie and then have small groups of students use a scale to measure and compare the mass of different objects. They can write number sentences to compare the measurements by using the greater than, less than, or equal symbols. If students are using a balance scale, they may want to draw pictures of their scales to go along with their number sentences. Be sure to remind children that on a balance scale, the beam tilts toward the object with the greater mass.
As Big As A Whale
Have students pair up to research the mass of different animals. Encourage them to choose different types of animals, both large and small. Then have them find equivalent masses to help put the measurements in perspective. For example, a lion has a mass of about 200 kilograms. That’s the same as about eight third-graders! Have students work together to come up with facts and share them with the whole class.
Family and Homeschool Activities for Teaching Grams and Kilograms
Mass of a Meal
If possible, challenge your child to measure the mass of everything he or she eats in a day. You may need to show your child how to tare (or zero) the scale so that he or she doesn’t measure the plate’s mass along with the food. Have your child record what she or he eats and the mass of each item. Then use a calculator to find the total mass of a day’s worth of food.
I Spy
Play a game of “I Spy” with your child, but focus on masses. For example, you might say “I spy with my eye an object that has a mass of two grams” or “I spy with my eye an object that is greater than a kilogram.” Then have your child predict which object you’ve chosen using estimation and check the prediction with a scale. Have your child write down the objects and their measurements. Then, switch roles!
