Units Of Measurement

How to Teach Capacity in Kindergarten and Foundation: Engaging, Hands-On Ideas

Getting Started with Capacity

Teaching capacity in Kindergarten and Foundation is all about making it hands-on, playful, and meaningful for young learners. Instead of just telling students what capacity is, let’s get them pouring, comparing, and using real-life materials to see and feel how much different containers hold. One of the best ways to introduce capacity is through stories, and Room for Ripley by Stuart J. Murphy is a great way to spark curiosity. But before we dive into activities, let’s go over the key language and concepts your students need to understand.

Essential Language for Teaching Capacity

To help students talk about what they are learning, introduce key capacity words early on:

• Full – No more space left in the container.
• Empty – Nothing inside.
• Half-full – The container is filled halfway.
• Nearly full / Nearly empty – In-between amounts.
• More / Less – Comparing two amounts.
• Holds more / Holds less – Understanding which container has the greater capacity.
• Measure – Using units to find out how much a container holds.

The more students use these words in real-world contexts, the better they will understand capacity. Use them while students are pouring, filling, and comparing different containers.

What Are We Actually Teaching?

In Kindergarten and Foundation, capacity is all about:

• Understanding Capacity – How much a container can hold.
• Comparing and ordering –Use direct comparison – Which container holds more? Which holds less?
• Predicting and estimating – Guessing how many scoops or cups will fill a container before measuring.
• Measuring with non-standard units – Using cups, spoons, or small containers to fill a larger one.
• Problem-Solving with Non-Standard Units – Predict how many units will fill a container and then test it.
• Recording findings – Drawing, tallying, or marking how much each container holds.
• Using maths talk – Encouraging students to explain their thinking using capacity vocabulary.

Below, you’ll find activities and resources to support teaching these concepts—plus a unit plan!

Common Misconceptions About Capacity

• “Taller means more.” Many students think that a tall, narrow container holds more than a short, wide one. Hands-on comparisons help fix this misconception.
• “Why did my number change?” When measuring with different tools, such as cups versus spoons, students might get confused about why the numbers are not the same. It is a great way to introduce measurement units.
• “Bigger means heavier.” Some students assume a heavier object holds more, even if it is smaller. Encourage them to focus on space inside the container rather than weight.

Using ‘Room for Ripley‘ to Teach Capacity

This book is a fantastic way to introduce capacity through storytelling. In Room for Ripley, Carlos is trying to find the right-sized container for his pet fish. Throughout the story, he explores different containers and learns about capacity in a real-world context. We have also created our own original version of this story and PowerPoint “A New Home For Goldie”, its the perfect storybook to help teach capacity to EYFS students. Check out the unit plan and resources below!

How to Use the Book in a Lesson

• Read-Aloud and Discussion: Pause and ask, “Do you think this container will hold enough water? Why or why not?”
• Hands-On Exploration: Give students different-sized containers and let them test which holds more.
• Estimation and Measurement: Before filling, have students predict how many cups it will take, then measure and record.
• Sorting Activity: Show pictures of containers and have students sort them by capacity.

Making Capacity Fun and Hands-On

At this age, kids need to explore with real materials. Here are some must-try activities:

• Water Play Exploration – Set up a sensory table with cups, bottles, and containers for free play.
• Fill the Container Challenge – Predict, measure, and record how many cups it takes to fill different containers.
• Race to Fill – Two students compete to fill the same-size container using different tools, such as a spoon versus a cup.
• Potion Making – Create a fun context where students mix ingredients using non-standard units.

Final Thoughts

Teaching capacity in Kindergarten and Foundation is all about getting hands-on, having fun, and making it real for students. Encourage predicting, testing, and explaining findings using simple maths language. Using stories, combined with hands-on measurement activities, will help your students develop a strong understanding of how capacity works.

Download activities and resources to support teaching these concepts—plus a unit plan!