2.5y–4.2y12 minDevelopmental playFamily timeFree play
Weigh & Measure Mini Stations
Two simple home stations (cookery and building) help your child explore weight, capacity, and length using everyday objects and lots of comparison language.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2 cups or small containers
- 2 spoons (or 1 spoon and 1 small scoop)
- a bowl or tray (to catch spills)
- a few safe household items to compare (e.g., apple, toy car, small book, sponge)
Nice to have
- rice, pasta, or water (small amount for filling/emptying, supervised)
- string or ribbon (for length measuring)
- paper and pen (to draw simple 'full/empty' marks)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneDiscriminates longer and shorterMind· 2.8y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneReenacts household routines in playMind· 16mo–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· stretch
- MilestonePours or serves food or drink with supervisionBody· 3y–5y· stretch· Step 2
What it practices
- Uses positional language.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shape by sustained construction activity or by talking about shapes or arrangements.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Have areas where children can explore the properties of objects and where they can weigh and measure, such as a cookery station or a building area.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)