Math Playground
Activities

Discover Capacity

Pour water between jars — estimate first, then measure.

Capacity is how much something holds. Pour water from one container into another — does it fit? Spill over? You're measuring volume, hands-on.

Type a value, pick units
236.588

1 cup = 236.588 mL

Try this with water

  • Estimate first — will the cup of water fill the bowl?
  • Pour and check.
  • Repeat with different shapes — tall and narrow vs short and wide.
  • Mark which container actually holds the most.

Tall narrow containers look bigger to our eyes than short wide ones — even when they hold less. The eye lies; pouring tells the truth.

Your turn

A jug holds 2 L. How many 250 mL cups can you pour from it?

Try this

  • Estimate first — does the water from the cup fill the bowl?
  • Pour and check
  • Repeat with different shapes — tall narrow vs short wide

Tall narrow containers look bigger to our eyes than short wide ones — even when they hold less. The eye lies; pouring tells the truth.