top of page

“Break” Pi Challenge

Writer: Amy Wung TsaoAmy Wung Tsao
Mar 51 min read

A Pi Day STEAM Activity for elementary & older kids


Compilation of 3 photos, one with a flexible tape measure wrapped around a coffee mug, one with the flexible tape measure stretched across the top of the mug, and one with a calculator whose screen reads 3.1428571. Title reads “Break Pi Challenge for Pi Day!”

Challenge your kids to find a circle that “breaks” pi!

(Spoiler alert - they can’t!)


Remember, a circle’s circumference divided by its diameter is always pi. 

This is true for all perfect circles!


This challenge is all about kids finding out for themselves that pi works for all circles, big or small. Plus it gets them up and moving around the room too!


Here’s how:


Materials for Pi Day Challenge:

  • Flexible measuring tape

  • Calculator

  • A room full of circles to measure!


Instructions for Pi Day Challenge:


Step 1

Measure the circumference of your circle. 

(I measured the circumference of my coffee mug to be 11 inches.)


Photo of a flexible tape measure wrapped around a coffee mug to measure the circumference.

Step 2

Measure the diameter of your circle. 

(I measured the diameter of my coffee mug to be 3.5 inches.)



Photo of flexible tape measure stretched across the top of a coffee mug to measure the diameter.

Step 3

Divide your circumference by your diameter! If you measured a perfect circle, you should get an answer close to 3.14!

(For my coffee mug, 11 ÷ 3.5 = 3.1428571…)


Photo of calculator calculating the value of pi, with its screen reading 3.14…
Why yes, that is the IKEA cash register from my STEM gift guide! 

What if you measured everything correctly but it didn’t come out to 3.14? You’re probably looking at an oval instead of a perfect circle!


Now get hunting for more perfect circles!


 

If you enjoyed this Pi Day challenge, sign up here with your email, so you never miss an update! 


Collage of 6 photos: (1) Hand coloring concentric circles, (2) Text "Maths of a Circle" over concentric circles, (3) Child wearing paper bracelets that say 3.14, (4) Ruler measuring the diameter of a coffe mug, (5) Numbers 1, 2, 3, and .14159 around the peel of half an orange, (6) cover of the book "Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi." Title reads "Pi Day for kids."

And if you’re looking for more Pi Day books and activities for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary age kids, click here!


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page