Make Your Own Ruler
Who says that all school supplies need to be store-bought? Teach your child about
recycling and reusing with this simple math-based activity.
The preschool and kindergarten years are a time when your child will start (and continue)
to discover beginning mathematical concepts such as counting and measuring. The Make
Your Own Ruler activity encourages young learners to explore these concepts within the
framework of a drawing based art activity. Canvas your house for reusable supplies, and
get ready to measure the fun that your child will have creating his own ruler!
What You Need:
1 piece of sturdy paper or cardboard (reused)
Scissors
Crayons or colored pencils in dark colors
School glue
Paint brush
Tape measure or other measuring device
What You Do:
1. Search your home for a suitable piece of sturdy paper or cardboard to reuse. Boxes
work very well. Examples include cereal boxes, packing boxes, cracker boxes, or
shoe boxes. Make sure that the box is large enough to cut it to at least twelve inches
in length. Additionally, look for materials that are sturdy but not too thick to cut by
hand.
2. Have your child help you to measure twelve inches across the cardboard. Make a mark with a pencil or crayon at this
measurement.
3. Cut the twelve inch length from the box into a ruler shape that is approximately two to three inches wide.
4. Show your child a ruler or tape measure for reference. Ask him to line up the numbers with the cardboard cut out.
5. Have your child draw lines for each inch mark with a thin crayon or colored pencil. These may be done in multiple colors. Make
sure that the colors are dark enough to see.
6. Ask your child to draw the numbers one through twelve at the correct lines (Optional: If you use the metric system use
centimeters instead).
7. If desired, seal the ruler by having your child paint a thin coating of school glue across the cardboard, covering the entire surface.
Other glue base sealing products are available from craft stores. If you would like to choose such as product only use those
clearly marked as non-toxic, non-flammable, water based, ACMI certified, and safe for young children to use. If you are unsure
about the product that you have, do not use it and skip this step completely.
8. Allow for drying time.
9. Watch your child count and measure!
Add extra flair to this activity with paint and glitter on the opposite side. Have your child paint the non-numbered cardboard first, and
then lightly sprinkle glitter over top!
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