Helping children explore the scientific method, creating conversations about weight and numbers, and doing it all inexpensively is a lesson worth teaching. Whether you homeschool or supplement your child’s learning at home, this DIY toy scale made out of a hanger is simple and engaging. You can make it in 3 simple steps!
Use the hanger scale to compare the weights of objects and discuss terms like ‘greater than,’ ‘less than,’ heaviest,’ and ‘lightest’ with your preschool child at home. It is a fun toy for your child to use in their pretend play as well.
DIY Hanger Scale Toy
What you need:
Hanger (with clips or without)
2 scrap pieces of ribbon
2 small gift boxes or two egg cups cut from an egg carton (boxes need to be the same size)
I purchased two small paper boxes from Michael’s for $1 each and had a roll of extra ribbon that I had previously purchased at Target from their Dollar Aisle.
stapler, tape or glue
Make this fun scientific “toy”:
1) Cut two equal-length strips of ribbon (about 6 inches long, each).
2) Staple each end of the ribbon to one side of the box. Repeat with the second box.
3) Hang the ribbon loops over the hanger into the grooves (for a clip-less hanger) or clip the ribbon loops onto a hanger with clips.
One box hangs on one side and the other on the opposite so two items can be weighed at one time.
Hang the hanger from a nail in the wall, standing toilet paper holder or a door knob (as long as the items you will be weighing are not too heavy). You have a homemade DIY toy scale!
(Don’t have these items? Here are a couple of other ideas from: Kids Activities Blog and Frugal Fun 4 Boys.)
Activity Extension:
Gather a few household items to weigh-toy cars, rocks, blocks, Legos, etc.
Label one piece of paper “Light” and another piece of paper “Heavy”.
Weigh two items at a time by placing one in each box on the hanger scale. Compare the two items to determine which is heaviest of the two.
Talk to your child about which one is “heavy” and which one is “light.” Place the items onto the labeled papers where they belong.
After weighing all of the items gathered, weigh all of the “heavy” items to label one the “heaviest”. Do the same for the items on the “light” paper to determine which is the “lightest”.
What is your child’s favorite DIY toy?
For more DIY Toy Fun check out:
Follow The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide:
- Subscribe to the newsletter to receive weekly updates plus snippets of mom motivation via email.
- Join with me and other moms over on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or Pinterest.
- Looking to connect with other Stay-at-Home Moms for support and connection with others who “get it”? Join our private Facebook group.
Enjoy your time at home!
[…] Almost immediately my son could answer the Common Core math question because he had a hands-on manipulative to help him learning to tell time. I helped a bit to show him how he could move the clock hands on our DIY toy clock. […]