Length Teaching Resources
Teach students how to measure length this school year with printable worksheets, educational games, digital activities and more primary school resources designed to help students learn how to measure objects and distances.
This extensive collection of teaching resources is aligned to the Australian curriculum and covers topics such as informal units for measuring length, measurement tools, standard units and more — all designed to save primary teachers time on lesson planning. Created by expert teachers, each resource in this maths collection has been carefully reviewed and curated by our team. That means it's ready to use in the classroom! You'll even find editable resources, plus differentiated options.
New to teaching length, or just look for fresh ways to engage your students? Read on for a primer from our teaching team!
What Is Length? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Let's start out with an easy way to explain the meaning of length to your students!
Length is the word we use to explain the measurement of how long an object or distance is. It is typically measured in units such as metres or centimetres.
In primary school, students typically begin by learning basic concepts related to length, such as:
- Measurement tools — Ruler, tape measure, metre stick, etc.
- Units of measurement — Centimetre, metre, kilometre, etc.
- Comparing and ordering lengths — Shorter, longer, tallest, shortest, etc.
Units of Measuring Length
In Australia, students learn to measure length using the units of the metric system. Because it's based on units of 10, the metric system makes it easy for students to convert between different units of measurement.
Here are the most common length measurements that your students will likely use in primary school:
Millimetre (mm)
This is the smallest unit of length in the metric system. One millimetre is equal to 1/1000 of a metre.
Centimetre (cm)
One centimetre is equal to 1/100 of a metre. This unit of length is found on your classroom ruler.
Metre (m)
This is the basic unit of length in the metric system. One metre is equal to 100 centimetres.
Kilometre (km)
One kilometre is equal to 1000 metres and is used for measuring longer distances, such as the distance between cities or countries.
How to Teach Length
Looking for some fun ways to teach your students about length? Explore this whole collection for printables and digital activities, and take a look at some fun ideas from our teacher team!
- Measure Yourself — This is an activity that never gets old for students — measuring themselves with a measuring tape! Have students measure their height and then compare their height to their classmates. Students should write down each measurement, and then they can make comparisons such as who is taller or shorter.
- Scavenger Hunt — Scavenger hunts add an element of mystery to this maths skill. Hide various objects around the classroom and have students use a ruler to measure the length of each object.
- Explore Non-Standard Measurement — Before introducing formal measurement tools, using non-standard items such as crayons and paper clips to measure items in the classroom is a good way to help students understand how items relate to one another in size.
- Develop a Length Obstacle Course — Create an obstacle course using cones, hula hoops, and other items. Have students measure the length of the course using a tape measure or metre stick. Once they're done, allow them to get active by actually moving through the course.
- Take a Maths Walk With Your Rulers — This is an excellent idea for real-world application! Take a walk around your school and have students measure the length of different objects they encounter along the way, such as the length of the hallway or the height of a door.
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Length Word Problems - Year 3 Maths Worksheet
Help your students relate addition and subtraction with length using a printable Measurement Word Problems Worksheet for Year 3.
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Paper Airplane Challenge - Measuring Distance Maths Activity
Practise measuring distance and have fun hosting a paper plane competition using a printable math investigation workbook.
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Which Unit? Measuring Length Sorting Centre
Practise identifying when to measure in centimetres, metres, and kilometres using a printable metric measurement sorting activity.
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How Much Does It Measure? Match-Up Activity (Length, Mass and Capacity)
Reinforce measurement concepts of length, mass and capacity with 18 printable matching cards.
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Choosing Metric Units of Length - Worksheets
Determine which metric unit of measurement should be used to measure objects with a set of Year 3 Maths worksheets.
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Measurement Maths Craft - Robot Template
Use a fun robot-themed maths craft with your students when learning about measuring to the nearest centimetre.
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Year 3 Using Units of Measurement Worksheets Bundle
Download year 3 worksheets for using units of measurement that are linked to the Australian Curriculum.
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Mixed Operations - Length Word Problems Worksheets
Solve multi-step length word problems with a printable pack of 3-act Maths Word Problem Worksheets.
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Measuring, Estimating, & Comparing Length Worksheets - Year 2
Use this printable set of Year 2 length worksheets to introduce your students to the concepts of measuring, comparing, and estimating length in informal units.
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Measuring Length Drawing Challenge Worksheeets
Make learning to use a centimetre ruler fun with an engaging set of Measurement Drawing Challenge Worksheets.
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I Have, Who Has? – Measuring With a Centimetre Ruler
Practise measuring objects using a centimetre ruler while playing this whole-class game.
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Year 3 Measurement Test - Measuring Length
Assess your Year 3 students' ability to measure length with a Year 3 Measuring Length Test.
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Measurement Maze Worksheets - Kindergarten/Foundation
Teach your students to compare tall and short objects with a printable set of Kindergarten Maths Maze Worksheets.
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Measurement Math Centre - Informal & Formal Units
Create an easily differentiated measurement maths centre with a printable Measuring Length Maths Centre.
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Measurement Scavenger Hunt Activity - Formal Units of Measure
Practise measuring in millimetres, centimetres, and metres with an engaging Measurement Scavenger Hunt!
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CM & MM Measurement Worksheets - Year 3
Practise using a ruler to measure in centimetres and millimetres with a pair of printable measurement worksheets.
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Measuring Length with Dinosaur Footprints - Hands-on Maths Task
Engage your students in learning about informal measurement with a 'Dino-Mite' hands-on measurement activity in which they use dinosaur footprints to measure objects around the classroom.
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Estimate the Length Game - MM, CM, M, KM
Practise estimating length in metric units with this self-checking Google interactive activity.
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Know Your Measurement Conversions Trivia Game
Practise measurement conversions involving time, length, capacity, and volume with an exciting Know Your Measurement! Trivia Game!
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Which Is Longer? – Mini Book
Compare the length and height of various everyday objects with a printable measurement booklet.
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Measuring Length with Informal Units Worksheets
A worksheet to use when learning about measuring length using informal units.
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Measuring in CM and MM Matching Activity
Practise measuring objects to the nearest centimetre and millimetre with this match-up activity.
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Measurement Worksheets for Foundation - Mass, Length, Capacity
Practise comparing units of mass, capacity, and length with a printable pack of foundation measurement worksheets.
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Measurement Conversion Scoot Game
Grab a handy set of 24 measurement conversion task cards to use as a whole class scoot activity.
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Appropriate Units of Measurement Assessment
Assess your student's ability to determine appropriate units of measurement with a printable Metric Measurement Unit Test.
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Year 3 - Estimate and Measure Length Worksheets
Estimate and measure length in metres and centimetres with a set of printable Year 3 maths worksheets
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Measuring Length - Year 1 Maths Assessment
Assess your students’ skills with measuring length using a printable Year 1 Measuring Length Test.
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Measuring to the Nearest CM and MM Task Cards
Measure items to the nearest centimetre and millimetre with this set of 20 task cards.
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Year 6 Metric Conversions Practice Sheets - Length
Practise converting, comparing, and ordering metric measurements with a Year 6 Metric Conversions worksheet pack.
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Choosing Units of Measurement - Length Worksheets (Differentiated)
Identify the unit of measurement needed to measure the length of an object with a pack of ‘Choosing Units of Measurement’ Worksheets.
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Measuring Length Interactive Task Cards
Practise measuring objects to the nearest centimetre and millimetre with an engaging set of self-checking interactive task cards.
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Riddle Me! Converting Units of Length – Worksheet
Sharpen measurement conversion skills with a set of 3 Maths riddle worksheets.