March 14th (3/14) is Pi Day, the day that celebrates the infinite number starting with 3.14.
Kids first learn about pi when measuring circles, but pi is also used to talk to satellites, to measure how fast and powerful a computer is, and even to study the structure of an eye.
Pi is used every day to make calculations in physics, engineering, modern construction, space exploration and so much more.
Our friends at Mathnasium, a math-only learning center, sent us these fun activities to celebrate!
Activity #1
Search for circular objects around the house. Grab some string or ribbon and scissors.
Wrap the string around the circular object and cut it where it meets. This is called the circumference.
Now place a piece of string across the top of the object, right through the center, and cut that. This is called the diameter
Now for the real fun! Place the diameter string next to the circumference string. Find out how many diameters fit into the circumference. Guess what? It will be 3 times plus a little bit more.
You found pi!
Activity #2
Read Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi. This math adventure is centered around a potion that changes Sir Cumference into a fire-breathing dragon. Can Radius change him back?
Join Radius on his quest through the castle to solve a riddle that will reveal the cure. It lies in discovering the magic number that is the same for all circles.
Activity #3
Complete this Mathnasium Pi Day Word Search. Find all the words that represent circular objects!
Click on the images below to download the word search and answer key.
Activity #4
Decorate the Mathnasium Pi Day coloring sheet and share on social media using the hashtags #PiDay #Mathnasium. Click on the image below to download and print the coloring sheet.
We hope you enjoyed these fun Pi Day activities!
Mathnasium is now enrolling for the remainder of this school year and summer for any family looking to get their child support to catch up, keep up or get ahead in math! Learn more and find a center near you at mathnasium.com.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
