How to Make a Kid's Ruler

Kids need a ruler whether at home or school.

Kids are taught how to use a ruler to measure objects and distances while they're in elementary school. A good way to get a jump-start on their understanding of measurements is to make a ruler for them to use at home. The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world using a combination of the metric system and its own customary system of measurement. Making a ruler for kids means including simple measurements from the American system.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy paper
• Colored pencils
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paintbrush
• Measuring tool

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a 3-inch by 12-inch rectangle from your paper.

2. Use your measuring tool and a colored pencil to make marks at 1-inch intervals along the length of the cardboard.

3. Draw dark horizontal lines at each inch mark, using a colored pencil.

4. Write the numbers 1 through 12, sequentially, on each line. Start from one end of the cardboard and finish at the other.

5. Seal the ruler by painting a thin layer of glue across the surface of the cardboard. Allow it to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• For older children, include centimeters.

• Personalize the ruler by decorating it on the blank side.

References

• Education; Make Your Own Ruler; Erica Loop
• National Institute of Standards and Technology: The United States and the Metric System
• Cool Fire Technology: Customary & Metric Systems of Measurement

Resources

• Walden University; Curriculum; Teaching Kids to Read a Ruler