Properties of Shapes KS1
Let's Investigate Triangles
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
What is the greatest number of squares you can make by overlapping three squares?
Colouring Triangles
Explore ways of colouring this set of triangles. Can you make symmetrical patterns?
Chain of Changes
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
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
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
How many balls of modelling clay and how many straws does it take to make these skeleton shapes?
Shadow Play
Here are shadows of some 3D shapes. What shapes could have made them?
Complete the Square
Complete the squares - but be warned some are trickier than they look!
Matching Triangles
Can you sort these triangles into three different families and explain how you did it?
Inside Triangles
How many different triangles can you draw on the dotty grid which each have one dot in the middle?
Overlaps
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
Can you each work out what shape you have part of on your card? What will the rest of it look like?
Exploded Squares
This practical activity challenges you to create symmetrical designs by cutting a square into strips.
Shapely Lines
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
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
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?
Shapes are added to other shapes. Can you see what is happening? What is the rule?
Exploring 2D Shapes
In this task, children will make shapes out of loops of string and discuss what they notice about their shapes.
Making Footprints
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
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.
Building Towers
In this task, children will explore 3D shapes when selecting which shapes to use in their tower.
Shapes in the Bag
In this task, children put their hands into a bag and describe what shape they think they can feel and why.
Paper Patchwork 1
Can you work out what shape is made when this piece of paper is folded up using the crease pattern shown?
Paper Patchwork 2
Have a go at making a few of these shapes from paper in different sizes. What patterns can you create?
Paper Partners
Can you describe a piece of paper clearly enough for your partner to know which piece it is?
Always, Sometimes or Never? KS1
Are these statements relating to calculation and properties of shapes always true, sometimes true or never true?
Triangle or No Triangle?
Here is a selection of different shapes. Can you work out which ones are triangles, and why?
You may also be interested in this collection of activities from the STEM Learning website, that complement the NRICH activities above.