Primary Bucket Balance

Primary Bucket Balance Description

The Primary Bucket Balance from Learning Resources is perfect for measuring solids or liquids, estimating, comparisons and contrasting. Includes a storage drawer in the base and two removable 400ml buckets with marked measurement indicators. Add the included bucket lids to create a platform balance. Measures 42 x 16.5 x 15cm

Who's the biggest, Who's weighs more?: 

Ask your child to find 7–10 objects around the house, each capable of fitting into one of the buckets. Have them hold each object and then line them up based on their guesses of lightest to heaviest. Then, ask them to find the actual heaviest and lightest objects in the group by using the balance. Let them try to figure out a process by themselves before stepping in to help. If needed, guide them to start comparing 2 objects at a time and work their way through comparisons until they have all 7–10 in a row.

Choose a common object from around the house that can fit into one of the buckets on the scale (tennis ball, apple, coffee mug, etc.). Then, have your child find 5–7 objects that can each fit into the other bucket (toy car, pencil sharpener, juice box, etc.). Start by asking them to guess if each object weighs more than, less than, or the same as the baseball. Have them mark their predictions on a sheet of paper, and then place the objects, one at a time, into the bucket opposite the baseball. Record the findings and compare them to the original guesses. Who's the biggest?. 

Liquid Measuring: 

The bucket balance is also useful for measuring liquids. Take 2 cups of diferent shapes (for example: short and wide, tall and narrow). Guess which one can hold more liquid, or if you think they might be equal. Then, fill each cup nearly to the top, and then slowly pour one cup at a time into each of the buckets. Place the empty cups next to the buckets to remember which one filled each side. Watch the balance and determine which side contains the most liquid. Was your guess correct? Try comparing other cups of irregular sizes to see if you can guess which can hold the most liquid.

Additional details:
Packaging size: 305mm x 155mm x 135mm
Recommended age: 3+