Investigations

Capacity refers to the maximum amount that a container can hold.

Materials:

  • Different containers
    • Some may be similar like 2 cups or mugs that are close to the same size
  • Others may be different like a tall glass and a shorter, wider glass
  • A small scoop (for e.g., the cap of a container, small measuring cup, measuring spoon)
  • A pourable material (for example, water, sand)

Instructions:

  1. Ask your child to estimate the capacity of each container by predicting the number of scoops that will be needed to fill it.
  2. Then have him or her fill the container with scoops of the pourable material and count the number of scoops needed to fill it.
  • Which container held the most?
  • Which container held the least?
  • How many times would you have to fill up the smallest container to fill the largest container?
  • Why do some containers hold more than others?

(adapted from mathies.ca)