Mass Teaching Resources
Teach students how to measure mass or calculate the mass of an object and more with games, worksheets and more teacher-created resources for your classroom!
Aligned with both TEKS and Common Core math, each printable and digital teacher resource in this collection has undergone careful review by our math teachers to ensure it's ready to be added to a mass lesson plan.
Is this your first year teaching kids how to find the mass of an obect? Or maybe you're just looking for fresh ways to engage your students on the topic? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a kid-friendly definition of mass in physics, the formula for calculating mass and more!
What Is Mass? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Do you need a mass definition to start your lesson? This word can be difficult for kids to understand due to its intangible nature. While we can measure the length or width of an object with a ruler, finding mass means dealing with an invisible concept.
So how do you explain it? Here's a definition that our teacher team likes to use to describe mass for our own students:
Mass is a measurement of how much matter an object is made of.
Mass vs. Weight — What's the Difference?
The definition above builds off students' study of matter in science classes and what they've learned about "heavy" and "light" objects and the differences between them both.
But as we've already noted, mass can be confusing for kids, and one of the most common points of confusion comes down to weight. After all, if something is heavy, it has more mass than a light object, but it also has more weight.
So, are mass and weight the same thing? No! Let's break down the differences:
Mass |
Weight |
| A measurement of the amount of matter in an object | A measurement of the force exerted on an object due to gravity |
| Doesn't change even when the amount of gravitational force on the object changes | Changes depending on the amount of gravitational force on the object |
What Is Mass Measured In? A Look at Units of Mass
While many measurements in the United States involve units from the United States customary system — also known as the imperial system — mass is measured in units from the metric system!
The most common units for mass are kilograms (abbreviated kg) and grams (abbreviated g).
This represents another difference between calculating the mass of an object and measuring its weight! Weight is typically measured in pounds, ounces and tons here in the US.
How to Find Mass — 4 Methods
We've covered what mass is and how it's measured. Now it's time to find the mass of different objects!
There are four common methods that can be used to calculate mass, and each one has its own applications. Read on for a breakdown of each one, including a formula that students can use to measure mass.
1. Measuring Mass With a Balance Scale
The simplest way to measure the mass of an object is to use a balance scale. Students can place the object on the scale and read the result.
Pretty simple, huh?
2. Using a Formula to Find Mass
What if the object is too large to place on a scale, or you don't have the object ... or a scale? Using a formula to find the mass of an object is another option in these situations!
There are two mass formulas that are typically used to calculate mass:
Density Formula
If you know the density (mass per unit volume) of a material and the volume of the object, you can use the following formula:
Mass=Density×Volume
Weight Formula
Although weight and mass are different, here on Earth these two measurements are in proportion to one another. Because of this, you can make use of the weight formula to solve for mass.
Weight=Mass×Acceleration due to Gravity
Note: This formula only works when the object is in a gravitational field!
3. Measuring Mass With the Water Displacement Method
Do you have an irregularly shaped object? The simplest way to calculate its mass is to use the water displacement method.
- Submerge the object in water.
- Calculate the volume of water displaced. This is equal to the volume of the object.
- Calculate the mass using the density formula mentioned earlier.
4. Using a Spring Scale to Calculate Mass
The final method for finding the mass of an object is to use a spring scale. This is typically a method taught in high school rather than elementary school.
The spring scale is used to measure the force exerted by an object due to gravity, with students employing Newton's second law to find the mass of a particular object.
- Plus Plan
Mass Mystery Escape Room
Explore the different elements of mass with this super fun and engaging escape room resource.
- Free Plan
Mass Vocabulary Poster
A poster that explains the concept of mass and lists associated vocabulary.
- Free Plan
Measuring Informal Mass Worksheet
Practice measuring items using informal units of measurement with this measuring mass worksheet.
- Free Plan
Comparing Mass With Balance Scales Worksheet
Practice comparing and contrasting the mass of objects as shown on balance scales with this set of mass measurement worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Know Your Measurement Conversions Interactive Game
Practice measurement conversions involving time, length, capacity, and volume with an exciting Know Your Measurement! Trivia Game!
- Plus Plan
Heavy and Light Worksheet Pack
Practice knowledge of heavy and light with this set of cut-and-paste worksheets.
- Free Plan
Informal Mass Scavenger Hunt Worksheets
Practice using balance scales to determine the weight of objects using informal units with these fun scavenger hunt worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Measurement Worksheets - 3rd & 4th Grade
Practice measuring length, volume, capacity, time, and more with a printable pack of 3rd grade measurement worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Converting Units of Mass – Worksheet
Practice converting metric units of mass, including those with decimal representations, with this worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Ordering Mass Cut and Paste Worksheets
Assist students in their knowledge of simple mass with these heaviest to lightest cut-and-paste worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Heavier or Lighter? Sorting Activity
Sort cards into heavier and lighter headings after looking at the balance scales on each card with this mass sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Customary Units of Mass Clip Cards
Estimate the mass of each object shown on this set of customary units of mass clip cards.
- Plus Plan
Heavier or Lighter Task Cards
Compare and contrast pairs of objects and encourage students to respond to questions featured on this set of task cards.
- Plus Plan
Heavy vs. Light Soccer Match Board Game
Explore comparing the mass of objects with this fun and engaging weight game board for the classroom.
- Plus Plan
Heavy vs. Light Roll and Color Activity
Explore items and decide which is heaviest and lightest in this fun and engaging roll and color activity.
- Plus Plan
Heavy vs. Light Digital Activity
Explore the mass of items and compare and contrast the heaviest and lightest with this set of 25 digital task cards.
- Plus Plan
Customary Units of Mass Interactive Task Cards
Explore different customary units of mass with this set of interactive digital task cards.
- Plus Plan
Customary Units Mass Measuring Interactive Activity
Practice the different customer units of mass with this engaging interactive activity.
- Plus Plan
Informal Mass - Heavier or Lighter Interactive
Practice using informal units of measurement to compare and estimate the mass of everyday objects with this engaging digital activity.
- Plus Plan
Mass Calculations Word Problem Worksheets
Put mass understanding into practice with this set of three word problem worksheets.
- Plus Plan
How Much Does It Measure? Match-Up Activity (Length, Mass, and Capacity)
Identify the correct unit of measurement to measure length, mass, and capacity with an engaging sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
All About Mass Worksheet Pack
Practice metric units used to measure the mass of objects with this set of worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Measuring Mass Digital Learning Activity
Practice measuring mass with this fun and engaging digital learning slide deck.
- Plus Plan
Understanding Mass True or False Sorting Activity
Practice the understanding of mass as a measurement with this printable mass sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Reading a Triple Beam Balance Worksheet Pack
Practice reading balance scales with this set of measuring mass worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Measuring With Mass Interactive Task Cards
Explore how to measure mass with this fun and interactive set of digital task cards.
- Plus Plan
All About Mass Teaching Slides
Learn all about mass using this engaging set of teaching slides.
- Plus Plan
Measuring Mass Task Cards
Explore estimation and measuring mass with this set of 24 word problem task cards.
- Plus Plan
Kindergarten Measurement Worksheets - Comparing Length, Mass, & Capacity
Practice comparing units of mass, capacity, and length with a printable pack of kindergarten measurement worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Which Is Heavier? – Kindergarten Math Game
Have your students practice identifying heavier or lighter objects with an engaging “Which is Heavier" interactive game.
- Plus Plan
Spin and Sort – Heavier, Lighter, Same
Practice comparing weight with this sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Selecting Units of Mass – Sorting Activity
A sorting activity to help students identify objects that should be measured in ounces, pounds, and tons.