Properties of Shapes KS1

This collection is one of our Primary Curriculum collections - tasks that are grouped by topic.

Let's Investigate Triangles

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Vincent and Tara are making triangles with the class construction set. They have a pile of strips of different lengths. How many different triangles can they make?

Three Squares

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

What is the greatest number of squares you can make by overlapping three squares?

Colouring Triangles

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Explore ways of colouring this set of triangles. Can you make symmetrical patterns?

Chain of Changes

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Arrange the shapes in a line so that you change either colour or shape in the next piece along. Can you find several ways to start with a blue triangle and end with a red circle?

Cubes Cut Into Four Pieces

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Eight children each had a cube made from modelling clay. They cut them into four pieces which were all exactly the same shape and size. Whose pieces are the same? Can you decide who made each set?

Building with Solid Shapes

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

We have a box of cubes, triangular prisms, cones, cuboids, cylinders and tetrahedrons. Which of the buildings would fall down if we tried to make them?

Skeleton Shapes

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

How many balls of modelling clay and how many straws does it take to make these skeleton shapes?

Shadow Play

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Here are shadows of some 3D shapes. What shapes could have made them?

Complete the Square

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Complete the squares - but be warned some are trickier than they look!

Matching Triangles

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Can you sort these triangles into three different families and explain how you did it?

Inside Triangles

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

How many different triangles can you draw on the dotty grid which each have one dot in the middle?

Overlaps

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

What does the overlap of these two shapes look like? Try picturing it in your head and then use some cut-out shapes to test your prediction.

Jig Shapes

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

Can you each work out what shape you have part of on your card? What will the rest of it look like?

Exploded Squares

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

This practical activity challenges you to create symmetrical designs by cutting a square into strips.

Shapely Lines

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

This challenge invites you to create your own picture using just straight lines. Can you identify shapes with the same number of sides and decorate them in the same way?

Poly Plug Rectangles

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

The computer has made a rectangle and will tell you the number of spots it uses in total. Can you find out where the rectangle is?

Data Shapes

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Sara and Will were sorting some pictures of shapes on cards. "I'll collect the circles," said Sara. "I'll take the red ones," answered Will. Can you see any cards they would both want?

What's Happening?

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Shapes are added to other shapes. Can you see what is happening? What is the rule?

Exploring 2D Shapes

Age 3 to 5

In this task, children will make shapes out of loops of string and discuss what they notice about their shapes.

Making Footprints

Age 3 to 5

In this activity, children will develop an awareness of the faces of 3D shapes by using them to make 'footprints' in soft dough.

Making a Picture

Age 3 to 5

This task provides an opportunity for children to work together to make a picture, discussing with each other which position they want to put each shape in.