Duct tape and a wooden spoon are specific materials for your kindergarten balance scales. A sturdy table or countertop is necessary for the project. A clothes hanger, two paper cups and two equal pieces of yarn are also materials required for the scales.
Tape the spoon end of a wooden spoon to your counter or tabletop using the duct tape. The stick end should be sticking out. Two pieces of tape are sufficient for this project. Your spoon holds the rest of the objects so it needs to be secured to a strong anchor; use a table that is at least 20 inches off the ground.
Hang the hanger from its hook onto the end of the spoon. Punch two holes on the opposite sides of the tops of your paper cups with the point of a pair of scissors. Thread one piece of yarn through the two holes of one of the cups. Tie the yarn onto one bottom side of the hanger, so the cup is hanging down. Repeat the threading and tying of the yarn through the second paper cup, so it hangs onto the opposite side of the first cup.
Add objects into the cups to compare their weights. Ask the kindergarteners what they think is heavier and show them two objects, such as an eraser and a quarter. After they predict, place each item into a cup to test their prediction or hypothesis. Compare other common objects and draw a record sheet on the board or a large piece of paper with the results of different measurements.