Pi Day is observed on March 14 at exactly 1:59 PM and this year, Kumon Canada wants to help Canadian children celebrate Pi Day in a fun and exciting way! Pi Day is a great excuse to engage children in fun math challenges meant to enrich and deepen their understanding of the concept of Pi. Activities might include investigations of the value of Pi, special Pi projects and parties with pizza or other kinds of "Pi."
Kumon Math and Reading Centre Instructors have compiled four fun activities to help families celebrate Pi, while incorporating the self-learning method that Kumon follows. Here are a few fun ways to celebrate Pi Day and have your kids problem-solve and learn on their own at the same time! And when you are done with these activities, why not check out this article we wrote with some crazy facts about Pi that you have never imagined.
1. Make a Pi Bracelet or Necklace
To celebrate Pi Day this year, break out the craft kit and make yourself a fun fashion accessory!
Pi Necklace/Bracelet Steps:
- Write out as many Pi digits as you can and and colour code each number.
- Grab different colours of beads and begin to string them onto the thread or a pipe cleaner you select to make your bracelet.
- Start to place the beads onto the thread in order of Pi’s number sequence and the colours you’ve selected for each digit.
- Tie up the thread and wear your new accessory – use it to memorize the digits of Pi!
2. Stage a Pi Day Scavenger Hunt
Conduct a Pi Day scavenger hunt by hiding Pi-themed objects around the house. The objects can also represent the numbers of Pi. After the hunt, reward all participants with a delicious prize, like pizza or pie!
Pi Scavenger Hunt Steps:
- Come up with a list of the objects kids need to find (provide a few hints just in case).
- Ask children to hunt for the objects.
3. Host a Pi Word Challenge
Word challenges are always a hit with children. Here’s a fun way to enhance and test children’s vocabulary and help them learn new words as well!
Pi Word Challenge Steps:
- Challenge children to write down as many words they can think of that include the word “pi” (pizza, pineapple, picture, pie, etc.).
- Determine which child has the most number of words written down and offer them a prize!
4. Host a Pi Day Paint Party
You and your child can have a fun-filled day of painting to celebrate Pi Day by painting your favourite circular objects! This activity would be appropriate for early learners so this may mean painting some flowers, suns, ladybugs and more.
Pi Day Paint Party Steps:
- Think about your favourite circular objects with your child
- Ask your child to start painting these objects, using their favourite paint colours
- Let your children fill their canvass with circles of all sizes – hang it on the fridge for everyone in the family to see!
5. Learn Where Hat Sizes Come From
Most hat sizes range between 6 and 8. Brainstorm ideas for how such sizes could be generated. Then use measuring tape to measure peoples’ heads. Use calculators to manipulate measurements. Now compare your results with the sizes written inside the hats. Do your numbers look like they could be hat sizes? (Hint: Try using different units of measurement.)
Note: Hat sizes must be related to the circumference of the head. The circumference of an adult’s head usually ranges between 21 and 25 inches. The head’s circumference divided by Pi gives us the hat size.
Steps to Learn About Hat Sizes:
- Talk about how hat sizes are generated
- Use a measuring tape to measure participants’ heads
- Use calculators to manipulate measurements
- Compare the results with the sizes written inside the hats
- Talk about the results – do the numbers look like they could be hat sizes?
If you are still hungry for more Pi (or perhaps you'd prefer pie?), check out our infographic below for some amazing facts about Pi Day (or click here to view it full size in another tab):
Kumon can also help you understand where your child stands academically, figure out their learning priorities and establish the routine needed to succeed. Schedule a parent orientation session to find out more.