Kindergarten Comparing Length Worksheet: Longer or Shorter School Supplies?

Put two pencils side by side and ask which is longer, and a five-year-old will often pick the one that sticks out further, even when it also starts further along. This kindergarten comparing length worksheet works on exactly that habit. Six boxes each hold a pair of objects from a school bag: books, crayons, erasers, feathers, pens and rulers. Above each box, a question asks for the shorter one or the longer one, and the two words take turns. Your child circles the answer. The PDF includes a second page with the answer key.

Why length is trickier than it looks

Length seems simple, but young children judge it roughly. They often look at only one end of an object. If one crayon pokes out further to the right, it must be longer, even if it also starts further to the right.

Real length comparison means checking both ends. It is the first rule of measuring, long before rulers and inches. On this page the pairs are not lined up, so your child has to look at each object from end to end.

The questions also switch between shorter and longer. So your child must listen to every question with care. The result is informal measurement with a little attention training mixed in.

At the table: look at both ends

Read each question aloud and stress the last word: "Which book is shorter?" Ask your child to repeat it before circling.

The rulers are the box to slow down on. The short ruler sits higher and reaches further to the right, so a child who looks at one end may pick it as the longer one. Instead of correcting, ask, "Where does each ruler start? Where does it end?" Then lay two real pencils side by side, ends lined up, and compare.

After a few boxes, a child may circle the longer object every time out of habit. Point to the question and ask, "Longer or shorter this time?" Switching between longer or shorter keeps the thinking awake.

Inch by Inch and a pencil case hunt

A pencil case is a ready-made lesson. Tip out the school supplies and ask your child to line up two pencils, ends together, then say which is longer. Next, try a spoon and a fork, or two shoes by the door.

Also, read Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni. A small inchworm saves itself by measuring the birds, one inch at a time. After reading, ask your child to measure a book with paper clips laid end to end.

Finally, check the page with the answer key. Praise the method: "You looked at both ends before you chose. That is how measuring starts."