# Fill Your Bucket: Exploring Volume
> Fill a bucket with water one smaller container at a time, count how many fills each container takes, and record the numbers to compare volume and capacity.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/math-activities-kids-exploring-volume/
- Ages: 4–7 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: medium
- Time: prep none, activity varies
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class
- Skills: math, volume, capacity, counting, measurement
- Cautions: food-dye

## Materials (one batch)
- 1 piece Bucket (household)
- 3 piece Assorted smaller containers (cup, candle holder, glass cup, jar, tall tube) (household)
- Water (household)
- Food coloring (optional)
- 1 sheet Recording sheet: "To fill the bucket I need to fill the ___ ___ times" (household)
- 1 piece Pen or pencil (household)
- Towels or a tray for spills (optional) (household)

## Safety
- Supervise water play at all times. Empty the bucket when you finish, and keep water-filled buckets away from toddlers and babies.
- Some containers in the photos look like glass. Use sturdy plastic containers for young kids to avoid breakage.
- Wipe up spills right away so no one slips.

## Before you start
- Write a recording sheet with one line per container: "To fill the bucket I need to fill the ___ ___ times."

## Steps
1. Set the bucket and the smaller containers out on a table.
2. Fill a pitcher or tub with water, tinted with a few drops of food color if you like.
3. Pick one container to start with.
4. Fill the container, pour it into the bucket, and count one.
5. Keep filling and pouring until the bucket is full.
6. Write the number of fills next to that container on your sheet.
7. Empty the bucket and repeat with the next container.
8. Compare the numbers. Which container held the most water, and which needed the most fills?

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2015)

We had this great opportunity to participate in BonBon Break's "Fill your Bucket" campaign in partnership with OurPact App. What does "Fill your Bucket" mean to me? As a hands-on mom who loves hands on [math activities](https://www.funlittles.com/category/math-play/) and enjoys [playing](https://www.funlittles.com/tag/play/) and [creating](https://www.funlittles.com/tag/create/) with her kids, I immediately thought that the “Fill Your Bucket” concept lent itself into a fantastic math lesson exploring volume and capacity. [**Read more about our fun math activity on BonBon Break..**](http://www.bonbonbreak.com/fill-your-bucket-simple-math-exploring-volume/)

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