These activities are part of our Primary collections, which are problems grouped by topic.
list
Approaching Midnight
Here's a strategy game with lots to explore. Can you find out enough to guarantee a win, no matter what the settings?
problem
Discuss and Choose
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
This activity challenges you to decide on the 'best' number to use in each statement. You may need to do some estimating, some calculating and some research.
problem
Clocks
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
These clocks have been reflected in a mirror. What times do they say?
problem
Brush Loads
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
How can you arrange the 5 cubes so that you need the smallest number of Brush Loads of paint to cover them? Try with other numbers of cubes as well.
problem
Torn Shapes
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
These rectangles have been torn. How many squares did each one have inside it before it was ripped?
problem
Twice as Big?
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Investigate how the four L-shapes fit together to make an enlarged L-shape. You could explore this idea with other shapes too.
problem
Area and perimeter
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
What can you say about these shapes? This problem challenges you to create shapes with different areas and perimeters.
problem
Olympic Starters
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Look at some of the results from the Olympic Games in the past. How do you compare if you try some similar activities?
problem
Wonky Watches
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Stuart's watch loses two minutes every hour. Adam's watch gains one minute every hour. Use the information to work out what time (the real time) they arrived at the airport.
problem
Numerically Equal
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Can you draw a square in which the perimeter is numerically equal to the area?
problem
Two Clocks
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
These clocks have only one hand, but can you work out what time they are showing from the information?
problem
How Much Did it Cost?
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Use your logical-thinking skills to deduce how much Dan's crisps and ice-cream cost altogether.
problem
Oh! Harry!
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
A group of children are using measuring cylinders but they lose the labels. Can you help relabel them?
problem
Next size up
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
The challenge for you is to make a string of six (or more!) graded cubes.
problem
The time is ...
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Can you put these mixed-up times in order? You could arrange them in a circle.
problem
Through the Window
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
My local DIY shop calculates the price of its windows according to the area of glass and the length of frame used. Can you work out how they arrived at these prices?
problem
Number Lines in Disguise
Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
Some of the numbers have fallen off Becky's number line. Can you figure out what they were?
problem
Making Boxes
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Cut differently-sized square corners from a square piece of paper
to make boxes without lids. Do they all have the same volume?
problem
Fitted
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Nine squares with side lengths 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, and 18 cm can be fitted together to form a rectangle. What are the dimensions of the rectangle?
problem
5 on the clock
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
On a digital clock showing 24 hour time, over a whole day, how many times does a 5 appear? Is it the same number for a 12 hour clock over a whole day?
problem
Ribbon Squares
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
What is the largest 'ribbon square' you can make? And the smallest? How many different squares can you make altogether?
problem
Watch the clock
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
During the third hour after midnight the hands on a clock point in the same direction (so one hand is over the top of the other). At what time, to the nearest second, does this happen?