These activities make use of things you probably already know and help you to understand them even better for solving problems!
game
Shut the Box for Two
Shut the Box game for an adult and child. Can you turn over the cards which match the numbers on the dice?
game
Strike it Out for Two
Strike it Out game for an adult and child. Can you stop your partner from being able to go?
problem
Number Squares
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Start with four numbers at the corners of a square and put the
total of two corners in the middle of that side. Keep going... Can
you estimate what the size of the last four numbers will be?
problem
Totality
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
This is an adding game for two players. Can you be the first to reach the target?
problem
Number Lines
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
A resource to try once children are familiar with number lines, and they have begun to use them for addition. It could be a good way to talk about subtraction. Leah and Tom each have a number line. Can you work out where their counters will land?
problem
Turning
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Use your mouse to move the red and green parts of this disc. Can you make images which show the turnings described?
problem
Mobile Numbers
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
In this investigation, you are challenged to make mobile phone
numbers which are easy to remember. What happens if you make a
sequence adding 2 each time?
problem
Two-digit targets
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
You have a set of the digits from 0 to 9. Can you arrange these in the five boxes to make two-digit numbers as close to the targets as possible?
problem
Our Numbers
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
These spinners will give you the tens and unit digits of a number. Can you choose sets of numbers to collect so that you spin six numbers belonging to your sets in as few spins as possible?
problem
The add and take-away path
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Two children made up a game as they walked along the garden paths. Can you find out their scores? Can you find some paths of your own?
problem
That number square
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Exploring the structure of a number square: how quickly can you put the number tiles in the right place on the grid?
problem
Five Steps to 50
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Use five steps to count forwards or backwards in 1s or 10s to get to 50. What strategies did you use?
problem
The Amazing Splitting Plant
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you work out how many flowers there will be on the Amazing Splitting Plant after it has been growing for six weeks?
problem
Lots of Lollies
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Frances and Rishi were given a bag of lollies. They shared them out evenly and had one left over. How many lollies could there have been in the bag?
problem
Stop the Clock
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
This is a game for two players. Can you find out how to be the first to get to 12 o'clock?