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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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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Converting Units of Length - Interactive Slides Activity
Make converting lengths of measurement a breeze with a Measurement Conversion Digital Learning Activity.
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Using Metric Units of Length Worksheets - Differentiated
Use differentiated metric measurement worksheets to practise identifying units, measuring, and converting metric units of length.
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Measuring With Informal Units Scavenger Hunt
Explore informal units of measurement and engage your students with an exciting Informal Measurement Scavenger Hunt!
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Which Unit of Measurement? - Length Worksheets
Identify the unit of measurement needed to measure the length of an object with a pack of ‘Which Unit of Measurement’ Worksheets.
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Length Vocabulary Poster Pack
Explain the concept of length and review related vocabulary with a printable measurement anchor chart.
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Selecting Units of Length - Sorting Activity
Use this Year 3 measurement activity to help students identify lengths and distances that should be measured in millimetres, centimetres, metres and kilometres.
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Converting Length Worksheets
Download our converting length worksheets to allow your students to demonstrate an understanding of decimal representations while converting units of metric length.
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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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Using a Ruler Board Game - Centimetres & Millimetres
Build measurement skills with this board game, which focuses on measuring using a centimetre/millimetre ruler.
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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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Marine Measuring With Informal Units Interactive
Dive into measurement with informal units using an engaging ocean-themed interactive measurement activity.
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Converting Units of Length – Error Analysis Worksheet
Analyse length conversions to identify and correct mistakes with this error analysis worksheet.
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Measurement Conversions - Length – Worksheet
Use ratio reasoning to practise converting units of length with this worksheet.
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Informal Units Rulers
Use printable informal measuring rulers to introduce your little learners to the world of measurement.
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Measurement Conversion Games — Matching Lengths
Provide students with measurement conversion games like this matching activity to give them practice converting between common units of length.
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Printable Measurement Games Task Card Set
Share this printable measurement games task card set with your students to help them master conversions of length, mass, and capacity.
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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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Estimating Units of Measure Worksheet Pack
Practise identifying and estimating appropriate units of measurement with a printable pack of Measurement Worksheets for upper years.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Informal Measurement Task - The Longest Finger
Explore informal measurement with a printable informal measurement task workbook.
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Measuring Length with Formal Units Teaching Slides
Introduce your students to the formal units to measure length with an engaging, interactive teaching slide deck.
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Identifying Units of Measurement Interactive Clip Cards
Identify whether objects should be measured in millimetres, centimetres, metres, or kilometres with interactive drag-and-drop clip cards.
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Estimating Length Task Cards
Use printable Estimating Length Task Cards to practise making estimates of length in metres, centimetres, and millimetres.
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Measuring at the Movies – Informal Units Interactive
Practise measuring with informal units with an exciting movie-themed interactive drag-and-drop activity.
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Shorter or Longer? Measurement Comparison Game
Identify what is shorter or longer with an engaging interactive measurement game.