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Jungle Trek Unit Converter: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 5

  • ForYear 5
  • StageKey Stage 2
  • CostFree
  • FormatPrintable PDF
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Jungle Trek Unit Converter is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10). Children fill in missing measures by converting between metric units: kilometres and metres, centimetres and millimetres, grams and kilograms, and litres and millilitres. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas and a stretch task.

It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

Children fill in the missing measures on a jungle trek theme. Each time, they look at the two units and decide how they are linked. They then choose whether to multiply or divide, and by what. The sheet covers length, mass and capacity, so children see that the same idea works for every kind of measure. They write each missing measure in the gap.

A worked example

Convert 6.3 litres to millilitres.

This is a different question from the sheet. It shows two ways to think about a conversion.

Method 1: move the digits
  1. Ask which unit is smaller. A millilitre is smaller than a litre, so the number will get bigger. Multiply by 1000.
  2. Each digit moves three places to the left: 6.3 becomes 6300.
  3. Use zeros to fill the empty places.
Method 2: split the measure
  1. Split 6.3 l into 6 l and 0.3 l.
  2. 6 l is 6 x 1000 = 6000 ml. 0.3 l is 0.3 x 1000 = 300 ml.
  3. Add the parts: 6000 + 300 = 6300.
6.3 l = 6300 ml

Why metric units matter

The metric system is used in science, in most countries and in schools across the UK. Its units are built on tens, hundreds and thousands. That means converting is mostly about place value. A child who understands what happens to a digit when a number is multiplied or divided by 10, 100 or 1000 can convert any metric measure.

Year 5 is when children are expected to move confidently between units. A jungle trek gives the practice a purpose. Explorers need to know how far they walk, how heavy their pack is and how much water they carry. Real reasons to measure help children see why the conversions are worth learning.

Fun facts about metric units

  • The metric system is used in science all over the world.
  • The prefix kilo means a thousand. It appears in kilometre and kilogram.
  • The prefix milli means a thousandth. Millimetres, millilitres and milligrams are all very small.
  • The prefix centi means a hundredth. Centimetres are named after it.
  • Metric units are built on tens, so changing units uses place value.

Skills and curriculum link

  • Converting metric units
  • Multiplying by 10, 100 and 1000
  • Dividing by 10, 100 and 1000
  • Working with decimals
  • Choosing the right operation

Ideas that help with conversions

  • Smaller unit, bigger numberWhen you change to a smaller unit, you need more of them, so the number grows. Changing to a bigger unit gives a smaller number.
  • Prefixes carry meaningKilo, centi and milli tell you how a unit relates to the base unit. Learning them once helps with length, mass and capacity.
  • Place value does the workMultiplying by 10, 100 or 1000 moves digits to the left. Dividing moves them to the right. The digits stay the same.
  • Estimate firstBefore calculating, ask whether the answer should be larger or smaller than the starting number. This catches many slips.

Key words

  • ConvertChange a measure from one unit to another without changing how much there is.
  • UnitA standard amount used to measure, such as a metre or a litre.
  • MetricThe system of measures based on tens, hundreds and thousands.
  • KiloA prefix meaning a thousand, as in kilometre.
  • MilliA prefix meaning a thousandth, as in millilitre.
  • DecimalA number with a decimal point, such as 4.5. It shows parts of a whole.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has notes and ideas for you.
  2. Read the first measure together. Ask which of the two units is smaller.
  3. Talk through whether to multiply or divide. Remember that a smaller unit means a bigger number.
  4. Let your child fill in the missing measures. Ask, "How did you decide?" and check the reasoning against the notes on page 2.
  5. Come back to the sheet another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.

Help, stretch and game ideas

If it feels too hard

Show the conversion on a ruler, a kitchen scale or a measuring jug. Let your child see the smaller units in the larger one. Say each conversion aloud: "one litre is made of lots of millilitres." Tackle one type of measure at a time.

To stretch confident children

Ask your child to design their own jungle trek with distances in kilometres, then write each one in metres. Next, add the weight of a pack in kilograms and grams. Swap treks with someone and check each other's conversions.

Make it a game

Measure things around the house and give each in two units, such as a book in centimetres and millimetres. Use a ruler, a jug or kitchen scales. Take turns to predict the second measure before you check it.

Mistakes to watch for

Watch forA child multiplies when they should divide, so going from grams to kilograms gives a larger number.

Try thisAsk, "Is a kilogram bigger or smaller than a gram?" Bigger units mean fewer of them, so the number should shrink.

Watch forA child uses 100 when the units need 1000, such as with litres and millilitres.

Try thisMake a small reference card with each pair of units and its multiplier. Say the link aloud each time.

Watch forA child moves the decimal point the wrong way, or the wrong number of places.

Try thisUse a place value grid. Write the digits in it and slide them left or right, one column at a time.

Talk about it

  • Which is bigger, a kilometre or a metre? How do you know?
  • How can you tell whether to multiply or divide?
  • What happens to the digits when you multiply by 1000?
  • Why might an explorer measure water in millilitres but a long walk in kilometres?
  • Can you think of something at home measured in grams and something measured in kilograms?
  • How could you check an answer without a calculator?

Take it off the page

Measure the house

Use a ruler or tape measure to find the length of three objects. Write each in centimetres and in millimetres.

Kitchen jug challenge

With an adult, use a measuring jug to pour water. Say how much you have in litres and in millilitres. Adults handle anything hot.

Pack the explorer's bag

Pick five items and estimate the mass of each. Write the masses in grams, then in kilograms.

Who it is for

Parents

Sit beside your child for the first few measures, then let them lead. Short bursts work well. If they get stuck, bring out a ruler or measuring jug so they can see the units.

Teachers

Use it as a starter, a plenary or an early finisher task after teaching metric conversions. Page 2 offers support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups and needs no preparation beyond printing.

Home educators

Pair it with measuring jobs around the house, such as cooking, gardening or a walk. It can be reused for brothers and sisters or as revision a few weeks later.

Where this fits

Before this, children measure in single units and learn to read scales. They also meet multiplying and dividing by 10 and 100 and begin to work with decimals. Those skills make conversions much easier.

After this, children use conversions inside longer problems, such as comparing measures in different units or working with perimeter and volume. Year 6 builds on the same ideas with larger numbers and more decimal places.

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is Jungle Trek Unit Converter for?

It is written for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10) in Key Stage 2. Older children can use it as revision, and younger confident children can try it with support.

What will children practise?

They convert between metric units of length, mass and capacity. That includes kilometres and metres, centimetres and millimetres, grams and kilograms, and litres and millilitres. They use multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1000.

How do I know whether to multiply or divide?

Look at the units. If you change to a smaller unit, you need more of them, so multiply. If you change to a bigger unit, you need fewer, so divide.

What if it feels too hard?

Show the conversion with a ruler, a kitchen scale or a measuring jug, and work on one type of measure at a time. Doing the first few together before letting your child try alone also helps.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers and sisters or for revision.

Can teachers use it in class?

Yes. It works as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas.

Is this a screen free activity?

Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Black and white printing on plain A4 paper is fine.

Preview the full PDF

Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.

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