Math Fun - Make a Measuring Wheel (Trundle Wheel)

A Measuring Wheel, sometimes called a Trundle Wheel, is a simple tool for measuring.

trundle wheel

trundle wheel

trundle wheel

Here is a great way to combine MATH and a CRAFT ACTIVITY. Plus this Measuring Wheel can be used when doing lots of SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS.

A Measuring Wheel is great when measuring things that are longer than a tape measure, yardstick, or meter stick and also for things that aren't straight!

A Measuring Wheel also encourages kids to use addition, multiplication, and other math skills while having fun! Students can have fun using the measuring wheel indoors or outdoors!

trundle wheel supplies

Materials

• heavy duty plastic plate or other round object
• tape measure
• marker
• large fastener
• ruler/yardstick/meter stick with a hole at one end

Directions

• Decide if you want to make an inch or cm. measuring wheel.
• Use a tape measure to measure the outside edge of your wheel (the circumference). My large plastic plate was 32 inches.
• Make a large arrow on the wheel (plate) to indicate the starting point.
• Mark off the plate in inches or centimeters, if desired.
• Make a small hole in the center of the plate.
• Attach the handle (ruler) with a large paper fastener. I used a ruler that had a hole at one end. My husband made a hole in the Home Depot yardstick that cost me 77 cents!
• Now you have a great math and science tool!
• Next choose something that you want to measure!
• Place the arrow on the plate at your starting point.
• Use the arrow on the plate to count the number of times the plate turns.
• When done measuring, multiply the number of times the plate turned by the circumference. Addition can be used instead of multiplication if desired.
• Older students can convert their measurement from cm. or inches to meters or yards.

Have fun with math and measurement!