Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
What shape is the overlap when you slide one of these shapes half way across another? Can you picture it in your head? Use the interactivity to check your visualisation.
What does the overlap of these two shapes look like? Try picturing it in your head and then use the interactivity to test your prediction.
Draw three straight lines to separate these shapes into four groups - each group must contain one of each shape.
Billy's class had a robot called Fred who could draw with chalk held underneath him. What shapes did the pupils make Fred draw?
Can you cut a regular hexagon into two pieces to make a parallelogram? Try cutting it into three pieces to make a rhombus!
A group activity using visualisation of squares and triangles.
This practical problem challenges you to make quadrilaterals with a loop of string. You'll need some friends to help!
Use the three triangles to fill these outline shapes. Perhaps you can create some of your own shapes for a friend to fill?
A game for 2 players. Given a board of dots in a grid pattern, players take turns drawing a line by connecting 2 adjacent dots. Your goal is to complete more squares than your opponent.
Can you arrange the shapes in a chain so that each one shares a face (or faces) that are the same shape as the one that follows it?
An extension of noughts and crosses in which the grid is enlarged and the length of the winning line can to altered to 3, 4 or 5.
Each of the nets of nine solid shapes has been cut into two pieces. Can you see which pieces go together?
A shape and space game for 2,3 or 4 players. Be the last person to be able to place a pentomino piece on the playing board. Play with card, or on the computer.
Investigate how the four L-shapes fit together to make an enlarged L-shape. You could explore this idea with other shapes too.
Which of these dice are right-handed and which are left-handed?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of the watering can and man in a boat?
Reasoning about the number of matches needed to build squares that share their sides.
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of the candle and sundial?
Here are shadows of some 3D shapes. What shapes could have made them?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of Mai Ling and Chi Wing?
Make a cube out of straws and have a go at this practical challenge.
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of these clocks?
How many balls of modelling clay and how many straws does it take to make these skeleton shapes?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of the child walking home from school?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of these people?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of this brazier for roasting chestnuts?
Paint a stripe on a cardboard roll. Can you predict what will happen when it is rolled across a sheet of paper?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of Little Fung at the table?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of the lobster, yacht and cyclist?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of the chairs?
Which of the following cubes can be made from these nets?
Investigate the number of paths you can take from one vertex to another in these 3D shapes. Is it possible to take an odd number and an even number of paths to the same vertex?
If you split the square into these two pieces, it is possible to fit the pieces together again to make a new shape. How many new shapes can you make?
How can the same pieces of the tangram make this bowl before and after it was chipped? Use the interactivity to try and work out what is going on!
Where can you put the mirror across the square so that you can still "see" the whole square? How many different positions are possible?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of this shape. How would you describe it?
Can you find ways of joining cubes together so that 28 faces are visible?
You have been given three shapes made out of sponge: a sphere, a cylinder and a cone. Your challenge is to find out how to cut them to make different shapes for printing.
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of Little Ming and Little Fung dancing?
Imagine a wheel with different markings painted on it at regular intervals. Can you predict the colour of the 18th mark? The 100th mark?
I've made some cubes and some cubes with holes in. This challenge invites you to explore the difference in the number of small cubes I've used. Can you see any patterns?
Can you work out what is wrong with the cogs on a UK 2 pound coin?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of Wai Ping, Wah Ming and Chi Wing?
Take it in turns to place a domino on the grid. One to be placed horizontally and the other vertically. Can you make it impossible for your opponent to play?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of these rabbits?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of the telescope and microscope?
In how many ways can you fit two of these yellow triangles together? Can you predict the number of ways two blue triangles can be fitted together?
This article for teachers describes a project which explores thepower of storytelling to convey concepts and ideas to children.
This second article in the series refers to research about levels of development of spatial thinking and the possible influence of instruction.
How many different cuboids can you make when you use four CDs or DVDs? How about using five, then six?