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Maths Problem Solving Booklets
Subject: Mathematics
Age range: 11-14
Resource type: Worksheet/Activity
![ks2 maths problem solving activities Paul Tyler](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/411994/small.jpg?_=1715599096028)
Last updated
23 August 2022
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Maths problem solving booklets covering a wide range of mathematical problems designed to improve problem solving strategies as well as numeracy and mathematical ability.
Designed to be printed as A5 booklets.
Disclaimer: These are free because the problems are from a wide variety of sources, most of which I have forgotten. I am a maths problem magpie and collect maths problems wherever I find them. All I have done is bundled these ones up to make it convienent.
If you find a problem that is yours and you don’t want it used please comment and I’ll remove it - cheers.
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ardglassie1
Very impresses. Ta.
Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user
Excellent resource
Great resource to use at KS3
mummygoth23
Just what I have been looking for. Thanks so much!
Good resources. Thanks you!
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Mastery-Aligned Maths Tutoring
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FREE daily maths challenges
A new KS2 maths challenge every day. Perfect as lesson starters - no prep required!
![ks2 maths problem solving activities FREE daily maths challenges](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Daily-maths-challenge-3.png)
25 Fun Maths Problems For KS2 And KS3 (From Easy To Very Hard!)
Fun maths problems are one of the things mathematicians love about the subject; they provide an opportunity to apply mathematical knowledge, logic and problem solving skills all at once. In this article, we’ve compiled 25 fun maths problems, each covering various topics and question types. They’re aimed at students in KS2 & KS3. We’ve categorised them as:
Maths word problems
Maths puzzles, fraction problems, multiplication and division problems, geometry problems, problem solving questions, maths puzzles are everywhere, how should teachers use these maths problems.
Teachers could make use of these maths problem solving questions in a number of ways, such as:
- embed into a relevant maths topic’s teaching.
- settling tasks at the beginning of lessons.
- break up or extend a maths worksheet.
- keep students thinking mathematically after the main lesson has finished.
Some are based on real life or historical maths problems, and some include ‘bonus’ maths questions to help to extend the problem solving fun! As you read through these problems, think about how you could adjust them to be relevant to your students or to practise different skills.
These maths problems can also be used as introductory puzzles for maths games such as those introduced at the following links:
- KS2 maths games
- KS3 maths games
Need more support teaching reasoning, problem solving and planning for depth ? Read here for free CPD for you and your team of teachers.
1. Home on time – easy
Type: Time, Number, Addition
A cinema screening starts at 14:35. The movie lasts for 2 hours, 32 minutes after 23 minutes of adverts. It took 20 minutes to get to the cinema. What time should you tell your family that you’ll be home?
Answer: 17:50
2. A nugget of truth – mixed
Type: Times Tables, Multiplication, Multiples, Factors, Problem Solving
Chicken nuggets come in boxes of 6, 9 or 20, so you can’t order 7 chicken nuggets. How many other impossible quantities can you find (not including fractions or decimals)?
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, or 43
There is actually a theorem which can be used to prove that every integer quantity greater than 43 can be ordered.
3. A pet problem – mixed
Type: Number, Problem Solving, Forming and Solving Equations, Simultaneous Equations, Algebra
Eight of my pets aren’t dogs, five aren’t rabbits, and seven aren’t cats. How many pets do I have?
Answer: 10 pets (5 rabbits, 3 cats, 2 dogs)
4. The price of things – mixed
Type: lateral thinking problem
A mouse costs £10, a bee costs £15, and a spider costs £20. How much does a duck cost? Answer: £5 (£2.50 per leg)
Looking for more word problems, solutions and explanations? Read our article on word problems for primary school.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities 25 Fun Maths Problems - Printable](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Festive-Topical-Maths-Problems-2023-RL-image.png)
25 Fun Maths Problems - Printable
Download a printable version of these fun maths problems together with answers and mark scheme.
5. A dicey maths challenge – easy
Type: Place value, number, addition, problem solving
Roll three dice to generate three place value digits. What’s the biggest number you can make out of these digits? What’s the smallest number you can make?
Add these two numbers together. What do you get?
Answer: In most cases, 1,089.
Bonus: Who got a different result? Why?
6. PIN problem solving – mixed
Type: Logic, problem solving, reasoning
I’ve forgotten my PIN. Six incorrect attempts locks my account: I’ve used five! Two digits are displayed after each unsuccessful attempt: “2, 0” means 2 digits from that guess are in the PIN, but 0 are in the right place.
What should my sixth attempt be?
![ks2 maths problem solving activities codebreakers maths problem](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/25-Fun-Maths-Problems-For-KS2-And-KS3-From-Easy-To-Very-Hard-Image-1.jpg)
Answer: 6347
7. So many birds – mixed
Type: Triangular Numbers, Sequences, Number, Problem Solving
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave me one gift. On the second day they gave me another pair of gifts plus a copy of what they gave me on day one. On day 3, they gave me three new gifts, plus another copy of everything they’d already given me. If they keep this up, how many gifts will I have after twelve days?
Answer: 364
Bonus: This could be calculated as 1 + (1 + 2) + (1 + 2 + 3) + … but is there an easier way? What percentage of my gifts do I receive on each day?
8. I 8 sum maths questions – mixed
Type: Number, Place Value, Addition, Problem Solving, Reasoning
Using only addition and the digit 8, can you make 1,000? You can put 8s together to make 88, for example.
Answer: 888 + 88 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 1,000 Bonus: Which other digits allow you to get 1,000 in this way?
9. Quizzical – easy
Type: Fractions, Adding Fractions, Equivalent Fractions, Fractions to Percentages
4 friends entered a maths quiz. One answered \frac{1}{5} of the maths questions, one answered \frac{1}{10} , one answered \frac{1}{4} , and the other answered \frac{4}{25} . What percentage of the questions did they answer altogether?
Answer: 71%
10. Ancient problem solving – mixed
Type: Fractions, Reasoning, Problem Solving
Ancient Egyptians only used unit fractions (like \frac{1}{2} , \frac{1}{3} or \frac{1}{4} ). For \frac{2}{3} , they’d write \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{3} . How might they write \frac{5}{8} ?
Answer: \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{8} is correct. So is \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{8} .
Bonus: Which solution is better? Why? Can you find any more? What if subtractions are allowed?
Learn more about unit fractions here
11. everybody wants a pizza the action – hard.
An infinite number of mathematicians buy pizza. The first wants \frac{1}{2} pizza. The second wants \frac{1}{4} pizza. The third & fourth want \frac{1}{8} and \frac{1}{16} each, and so on. How many pizzas should they order?
Answer: 1 Each successive mathematician wants a slice that is exactly half of what is left:
![ks2 maths problem solving activities circle divided by fractions](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/25-Fun-Maths-Problems-For-KS2-And-KS3-From-Easy-To-Very-Hard-Image-2.jpg)
12. Shade it black – hard
Type: Fractions, Reasoning, Problem Solving What fraction of this image is shaded black?
![ks2 maths problem solving activities square divided into smaller squares](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/25-Fun-Maths-Problems-For-KS2-And-KS3-From-Easy-To-Very-Hard-Image-3.jpg)
Answer: \frac{1}{3}
Look at the L-shaped part made up of two white and one black squares: \frac{1}{3} of this part is shaded. Zoom in on the top-right quarter of the image, which looks exactly the same as the whole image, and use the same reasoning to find what fraction of its L-shaped portion is shaded. Imagine zooming in to do the same thing again and again…
13. Giving is receiving – easy
Type: Number, Reasoning, Problem Solving
5 people give each other a present. How many presents are given altogether?
14. Sharing is caring – mixed
I have 20 sweets. If I share them equally with my friends, there are 2 left over. If one more person joins us, there are 6 sweets left. How many friends am I with?
Answer: 6 people altogether (so 5 friends!)
15. Times tables secrets – mixed
Type: Area, 2D Shape, Rectangles
Here are 77 letters:
BYHRCGNGNEOEAAHGHGCURPUTSTSASHHSBOBOREOPEEMEMEELATPEPEFADPHLTLTUT IEEOHOHLENRYTITIIAGBMTNTNFCGEIIGIG
How many different rectangular grids could you arrange all 77 letters into?
Answer: Four: 1⨉77, 77⨉1, 11⨉7 & 7⨉11. If the letters are arranged into one of these, a message appears, reading down each column starting from the top left.
Bonus: Can you find any more integers with the same number of factors as 77? What do you notice about these factors (think about prime numbers)? Can you use this system to hide your own messages?
16. Laugh it up – hard
Type: Multiples, Lowest Common Multiple, Times Tables, Division, Time
One friend jumps every \frac{1}{3} of a minute. Another jumps every 31 seconds. When will they jump together? Answer: After 620 seconds
![ks2 maths problem solving activities Third Space Learning's online one to one tuition slide on multiplication and division](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/tsl-slide-sats-problem-solving.jpg)
17. Pictures of matchstick triangles – easy
Type: 2D Shapes, Equilateral Triangles, Problem Solving, Reasoning
Look at the matchsticks arranged below. How many equilateral triangles are there?
![ks2 maths problem solving activities match sticks arranged in triangles](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/25-Fun-Maths-Problems-For-KS2-And-KS3-From-Easy-To-Very-Hard-Image-4.jpg)
Answer: 13 (9 small, 3 medium, 1 large)
Bonus: What if the biggest triangle only had two matchsticks on each side? What if it had four?
18. Dissecting squares – mixed
Type: Reasoning, Problem Solving
What’s the smallest number of straight lines you could draw on this grid such that each square has a line going through it?
![ks2 maths problem solving activities 3x3 square](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/25-Fun-Maths-Problems-For-KS2-And-KS3-From-Easy-To-Very-Hard-Image-5.jpg)
19. Make it right – mixed
Type: Pythagoras’ theorem
This triangle does not agree with Pythagoras’ theorem.
Adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing each of the side lengths by the same integer can fix it. What is the integer?
![ks2 maths problem solving activities right angled triangle](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/25-Fun-Maths-Problems-For-KS2-And-KS3-From-Easy-To-Very-Hard-Image-7.jpg)
Answer: 3
8 – 3 = 5
The new side lengths are 3, 4 and 5 and 32 + 42 = 52.
20. A most regular maths question – hard
Type: Polygons, 2D Shapes, tessellation, reasoning, problem-solving, patterns
What is the regular polygon with the largest number of sides that will self-tessellate?
Answer: Hexagon.
Regular polygons tessellate if one interior angle is a factor of 360°. The interior angle of a hexagon is 120°. This is the largest factor less than 180°.
21. Pleased to meet you – easy
Type: Number Problem, Reasoning, Problem-Solving
5 people meet; each shakes everyone else’s hand once. How many handshakes take place?
Person A shakes 4 people’s hands. Person B has already shaken Person A’s hand, so only needs to shake 3 more, and so on.
Bonus: How many handshakes would there be if you did this with your class?
22. All relative – easy
Type: Number, Reasoning, Problem-Solving
When I was twelve my brother was half my age. I’m 40 now, so how old is he?
23. It’s about time – mixed
Type: Time, Reasoning, Problem-Solving
When is “8 + 10 = 6” true?
Answer: When you’re telling the time (8am + 10 hours = 6pm)
24. More than a match – mixed
Type: Reasoning, Problem-Solving, Roman Numerals, Numerical Notation
Here are three matches:
![ks2 maths problem solving activities three matches](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/25-Fun-Maths-Problems-For-KS2-And-KS3-From-Easy-To-Very-Hard-Image-8.jpg)
How can you add two more matches, but get eight? Answer: Put the extra two matches in a V shape to make 8 in Roman Numerals:
![ks2 maths problem solving activities 5 matches with two organised in v shape](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/25-Fun-Maths-Problems-For-KS2-And-KS3-From-Easy-To-Very-Hard-Image-9.jpg)
25. Leonhard’s graph – hard
Type: Reasoning, Problem-Solving, Logic
Leonhard’s town has seven bridges as shown below. Can you find a route around the town that crosses every bridge exactly once?
![ks2 maths problem solving activities river, islands and seven bridges](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/25-Fun-Maths-Problems-For-KS2-And-KS3-From-Easy-To-Very-Hard-Image-1031.jpg)
Answer: No!
This is a classic real life historical maths problem solved by mathematician Leonhard Euler (rhymes with “boiler”). The city was Konigsberg in Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia). Not being able to find a solution is different to proving that there aren’t any! Euler managed to do this in 1736, practically inventing graph theory in the process.
Many of these 25 maths problems are rooted in real life, from everyday occurrences to historical events. Others are just questions that might arise if you say “what if…?”. The point is that although there are many lists of such problem solving maths questions that you can make use of, with a little bit of experience and inspiration you could create your own on almost any topic – and so could your students.
For a kick-starter on creating your own maths problems, read our article on KS3 maths problem solving .
Looking for additional support and resources at KS3? You are welcome to download any of the secondary maths resources from Third Space Learning’s resource library for free. There is a section devoted to GCSE maths revision with plenty of maths worksheets and GCSE maths questions . There are also maths tests for KS3, including a Year 7 maths test , a Year 8 maths test and a Year 9 maths test Other valuable maths practice and ideas particularly around reasoning and problem solving at secondary can be found in our KS3 and KS4 maths blog articles. Try these fun maths problems for KS2 and KS3, SSDD problems , KS3 maths games and 30 problem solving maths questions . For children who need more support, our maths intervention programmes for KS3 achieve outstanding results through a personalised one to one tuition approach.
DO YOU HAVE STUDENTS WHO NEED MORE SUPPORT IN MATHS?
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Since 2013 these personalised one to 1 lessons have helped over 150,000 primary and secondary students become more confident, able mathematicians.
Learn how the programmes are aligned to maths mastery teaching or request a personalised quote for your school to speak to us about your school’s needs and how we can help.
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FREE Guide to Maths Mastery
All you need to know to successfully implement a mastery approach to mathematics in your primary school, at whatever stage of your journey.
Ideal for running staff meetings on mastery or sense checking your own approach to mastery.
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Problem Solving
A selection of resources containing a wide range of open-ended tasks, practical tasks, investigations and real life problems, to support investigative work and problem solving in primary mathematics.
Problem Solving in Primary Maths - the Session
Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Teachers TV
In this programme shows a group of four upper Key Stage Two children working on a challenging problem; looking at the interior and exterior angles of polygons and how they relate to the number of sides. The problem requires the children to listen to each other and to work together co-operatively. The two boys and two girls are closely observed as they consider how to tackle the problem, make mistakes, get stuck and arrive at the "eureka" moment. They organise the data they collect and are then able to spot patterns and relate them to the original problem to find a formula to work out the exterior angle of any polygon. At the end of the session the children report back to Mark, explaining how they arrived at the solution, an important part of the problem solving process.
In a second video two maths experts discuss some of the challenges of teaching problem solving. This includes how and at what stage to introduce problem solving strategies and the appropriate moment to intervene when children find tasks difficult. They also discuss how problem solving in the curriculum also helps to develop life skills.
Cards for Cubes: Problem Solving Activities for Young Children
Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Claire Publications
This book provides a series of problem solving activities involving cubes. The tasks start simply and progress to more complicated activities so could be used for different ages within Key Stages One and Two depending on ability. The first task is a challenge to create a camel with 50 cubes that doesn't fall over. Different characters are introduced throughout the book and challenges set to create various animals, monsters and structures using different numbers of cubes. Problems are set to incorporate different areas of mathematical problem solving they are: using maths, number, algebra and measure.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities ks2 maths problem solving activities](https://www.stem.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/publishers/public/publisher-images/259-Claire-Publications-logo.jpg?itok=bRDBTPEP)
Problem solving with EYFS, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two children
Quality Assured Category: Computing Publisher: Department for Education
These three resources, from the National Strategies, focus on solving problems.
Logic problems and puzzles identifies the strategies children may use and the learning approaches teachers can plan to teach problem solving. There are two lessons for each age group.
Finding all possibilities focuses on one particular strategy, finding all possibilities. Other resources that would enhance the problem solving process are listed, these include practical apparatus, the use of ICT and in particular Interactive Teaching Programs .
Finding rules and describing patterns focuses on problems that fall into the category 'patterns and relationships'. There are seven activities across the year groups. Each activity includes objectives, learning outcomes, resources, vocabulary and prior knowledge required. Each lesson is structured with a main teaching activity, drawing together and a plenary, including probing questions.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities ks2 maths problem solving activities](https://www.stem.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/publishers/public/publisher-images/67-Department-for-Education.jpg?itok=1XNecrYQ)
Primary mathematics classroom resources
Quality Assured Collection Category: Mathematics Publisher: Association of Teachers of Mathematics
This selection of 5 resources is a mixture of problem-solving tasks, open-ended tasks, games and puzzles designed to develop students' understanding and application of mathematics.
Thinking for Ourselves: These activities, from the Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM) publication 'Thinking for Ourselves’, provide a variety of contexts in which students are encouraged to think for themselves. Activity 1: In the bag – More or less requires students to record how many more or less cubes in total...
8 Days a Week: The resource consists of eight questions, one for each day of the week and one extra. The questions explore odd numbers, sequences, prime numbers, fractions, multiplication and division.
Number Picnic: The problems make ideal starter activities
Matchstick Problems: Contains two activities concentrating upon the process of counting and spotting patterns. Uses id eas about the properties of number and the use of knowledge and reasoning to work out the rules.
Colours: Use logic, thinking skills and organisational skills to decide which information is useful and which is irrelevant in order to find the solution.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities ks2 maths problem solving activities](https://www.stem.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/publishers/public/publisher-images/383-ATM-logo_2.jpg?itok=qgwU1fkB)
GAIM Activities: Practical Problems
Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Nelson Thornes
Designed for secondary learners, but could also be used to enrich the learning of upper primary children, looking for a challenge. These are open-ended tasks encourage children to apply and develop mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding and to integrate these in order to make decisions and draw conclusions.
Examples include:
*Every Second Counts - Using transport timetables, maps and knowledge of speeds to plan a route leading as far away from school as possible in one hour.
*Beach Guest House - Booking guests into appropriate rooms in a hotel.
*Cemetery Maths - Collecting relevant data from a visit to a local graveyard or a cemetery for testing a hypothesis.
*Design a Table - Involving diagrams, measurements, scale.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities ks2 maths problem solving activities](https://www.stem.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/publishers/public/publisher-images/35-Nelson_Thornes_logo.jpg?itok=Wbd_Tr6x)
Go Further with Investigations
Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Collins Educational
A collection of 40 investigations designed for use with the whole class or smaller groups. It is aimed at upper KS2 but some activities may be adapted for use with more able children in lower KS2. It covers different curriculum areas of mathematics.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities ks2 maths problem solving activities](https://www.stem.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/publishers/public/publisher-images/138-Collins-Educational.jpg?itok=Qr6sf0Sy)
Starting Investigations
The forty student investigations in this book are non-sequential and focus mainly on the mathematical topics of addition, subtraction, number, shape and colour patterns, and money.
The apparatus required for each investigation is given on the student sheets and generally include items such as dice, counters, number cards and rods. The sheets are written using as few words as possible in order to enable students to begin working with the minimum of reading.
NRICH Primary Activities
Explore the NRICH primary tasks which aim to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. Lots of whole class open ended investigations and problem solving tasks. These tasks really get children thinking!
Mathematical reasoning: activities for developing thinking skills
Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: SMILE
![ks2 maths problem solving activities ks2 maths problem solving activities](https://www.stem.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/publishers/public/publisher-images/image%20%281%29.png?itok=ag6A7Gey)
Problem Solving 2
Reasoning about numbers, with challenges and simplifications.
Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Department for Education
![ks2 maths problem solving activities Cambridge University Faculty of Mathematics](https://nrich.maths.org/images/University_of_Cambridge_logo_white_600.png)
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Games and Interactives
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Games - Lower Primary
Playing these games will help to test your understanding of different topics.
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Games - Upper Primary
Playing these Free KS1/KS2 Maths games will help to test your understanding of different mathematics topics.
Interactives - Lower Primary
Try these interactives to improve your skills in a variety of topics.
Interactives - Upper Primary
Try these interactives to improve yours skills in a variety of topics.
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Maths Problem Solving Activities
Problem solving is a fundamental life skill that needs to be developed from an early age. Our maths problem solving activities are perfect for your students to work on this skill. From problem solving cards to games packs, we have everything you need when it comes to maths problem solving activities - browse our great range today!
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Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. -Oscar Wilde
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Outdoor Problem Solving Activities KS2- Learning Maths
![ks2 maths problem solving activities aerial view of farmland](https://i0.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-photo-2067255.jpeg?resize=1360%2C1020&ssl=1)
Outdoor Problem Solving Activities KS2 – Learning Maths Outdoors
These are some ideas for outdoor problem solving activities for KS2 to help children with learning maths outdoors. One of the most critical aspects of teaching and learning maths is to be able to solve problems. While teaching maths in school, I found that it can become easy to get overly focused on teaching the rules and procedures for doing maths. These are essential tools that everyone needs, but the actual point is to be able to apply those skills in real life. Therefore, children must be given opportunities to practice problem-solving and make it purposeful.
I hope you find these outdoor problem solving activities for KS2 useful, and perhaps they will also inspire you to try other ideas. If you would like some other ways to take learning maths outdoors, you may also want to see my post, Outdoor Maths Activities KS2 .
Nim is a mathematical strategy game where two players take turns removing objects from a pile. Each player must take at least one object per turn. The goal is to either take or avoid taking the last item from the stack. Children can play nim with a pile of sticks or rocks.
Ordering natural objects by different features
Children can place in order objects such as rocks or pinecones based on the characteristic(s) they decide upon. It might be longest to shortest, least to the greatest circumference or smallest to greatest volume.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities Outdoor Maths Activities KS2 – Teaching Maths Outside. Measure and displacement. Finding the difference.](https://i0.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3349.jpg?ssl=1)
Observing the sun & moon
Children can explore and investigate the sun and moon, including changes that take place over time. They can try to figure out some of the following questions, and ask some of their own questions as well.
- What time does the sun set and rise? Does this ever change? How do you know?
- Where on the horizon do you first/last see the sun or the moon? Does this change? How do you know?
- Can you observe the phases of the moon- how does it change? Are there any patterns that you notice?
![ks2 maths problem solving activities photography of body of water and mountains](https://i0.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-photo-1544880.jpeg?ssl=1)
Measuring circles
Children can measure circles (such as flower pots, tree stumps or other circular objects found outside). They can measure the circumference, radius and diameter and then investigate the relationship between radius/diameter and circumference. What do children notice? Is there a pattern? They may even be able to ‘discover’ pi.
How tall is a tree?
Measure / calculate the height of a tree with the shadow & calculation method, triangle method and/or clinometer method. If children try more than one method, do they get the same results? Which method might be more accurate?
![ks2 maths problem solving activities green leafed tree](https://i2.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-photo-218505.jpeg?ssl=1)
(ex. Estimating by height, clinometer method, looking through legs method, pencil method, meter stick method)
Different ways children can help with planning in a garden
Children can figure out how much space is available in the garden and how many different types of plants can be planted. Can they figure out how many of one kind of plant will fit into one planter box? Can they figure out how many different sized plants fit into the same planter box? Children would need to use their measuring skills to calculate the surface area of the garden. Then they would need to find out how much space each plant requires (e.g. from seed packets) and then determine how many and which of the plants can be used.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities growing broccoli with children. How to make a vegetable garden for kids.](https://i2.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_1038-copy.jpg?ssl=1)
If a new planter box is purchased, children can help work out how many bags of compost would be needed to fill it. (They would need to measure, calculate the size, etc.) Will there be any leftover soil from one of the bags? How do you know?
If children grow crops such as pumpkins, they can do things like ordering them from heaviest to lightest. This way they might see which is the ‘prize-winning pumpkin’ in a harvest festival.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities Outdoor Problem Solving Activities KS2 – Learning Maths Outdoors. pumpkins by size](https://i2.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-photo-3017107.jpeg?ssl=1)
They might also consider how much each pumpkin could be sold for. This would involve calculating each pumpkin’s cost, based on a price of £1.00 per kilo, £2.00 per kilo (or whatever reasonable price is determined). They might also try to figure out if larger pumpkins (or other crops like corn) always weigh more than smaller ones? *The children will have to define what is the larger, longer, or wider circumference.
Children could get involved with selling the crops they grow. This will give them plenty of opportunities to use mathematical skills and handle money in real-life contexts. They will also need to plan the pricing of different vegetables based on weight, the number of vegetables, or selling them in combinations. Children could even try to figure out the appropriate amount to charge for each crop based on the cost of the seeds, the growing time, grocery store costs or any other factors.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities vegetable stand. Outdoor Problem Solving Activities KS2 – Learning Maths Outdoors](https://i0.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-photo-1508666.jpeg?ssl=1)
If they do sell some of what they grow after school or possibly at a market, then the children can apply their maths skills to figure out how much each customer will need to pay when buying any particular fruit or vegetable.
Monitoring Plant Growth
See if children can figure out how quickly different plants grow. Can they determine the rate of growth (e.g. mm per week)? Which seedlings / plants grow fastest? Is it a steady rate of growth, or does it change?
*To take this further, children might also conduct an experiment to compare different groups. They might compare the growth or the growth rate of plants whose seeds have been frozen vs those that have not, or something else.
Making Shapes
How many shapes can you make (including shapes within shapes) using a set number of sticks (ex. 6 large sticks and 6 small sticks)? Is there a way to make more or fewer shapes using the same number of sticks?
![ks2 maths problem solving activities Outdoor Problem Solving Activities KS2 – Learning Maths Outdoors](https://i0.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_7411-copy.jpg?ssl=1)
Planning and holding a bake sale
(Some parts of this activity take place inside and some outside. This activity can be linked further to learning maths outdoors if children use some ingredients grown from a school garden).
Baking for a bake sale is a great way to give children hands-on practice solving problems in real contexts. For a baking project they will need to follow recipes and accurately use measuring cups and weighing scales. They might also want to make larger quantities and scale up recipes by doubling, tripling, or quadrupling them. The children will need to plan ahead and calculate how much of each ingredient they need to buy to make a set number of cookies, cupcakes, etc. They must also determine how many batches would be needed to make 200 cupcakes if the recipe makes 2 dozen.
Then when they hold an actual sale they will be using their maths skills to calculate how much to charge people. They must also learn how to give people the proper change (just like selling vegetables above). They can setup a stall outside of school and sell them after school one day.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities cute black girl showing homemade gingerbread man](https://i1.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-photo-5728327.jpeg?ssl=1)
Organizing and running a track & field event
Children can get involved in organizing a sports day or track and field event. They can first decide which events to include and then figure out how much space is needed for each activity (e.g. measuring the appropriate length and width required). The children can then help measure and set up the activities.
Once races are held, that data can be used to make calculations. For example – for a jumping event, children can measure how far people jump, and after several tries, figure out if there is improvement and how much (finding the difference). Children can time how far it takes them to run certain distances, e.g. 500 meters versus ½ a mile. They can figure out how fast they are running. They might then calculate how fast they ran different races (e.g. miles per hour) and then figure out when they ran faster or slower.
![ks2 maths problem solving activities fit athlete during training on running track](https://i1.wp.com/playofthewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-photo-3756042.jpeg?ssl=1)
Finding ways to approximate measurements
See if children can find different ways to measure the approximate distance between two far points with a meter stick and string. This might be the length of the playground or the distance between two trees, etc. Children might compare different ways of measuring the approximate distance such as measuring the length it takes them to take one step and then counting the number of steps between two points. They might also use the string to go between the two points and measure the string’s length. See if they can find any other ways to find the approximate distances.
I hope that you find these outdoor problem solving activities for KS2 helpful and it helps you take teaching and learning maths outdoors!
Arithmetic , Gardening , Geometry , Maths , Measurement , Number & Place Value , School Age , Sticks
hands-on learning , Learning Outdoors , learning outside , outdoor learning , Sticks
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KS2 Maths Problem solving learning resources for adults, children, parents and teachers. ... Times tables games and songs. All Bitesize Primary games. The Regenerators Green Lessons.
Developing Excellence in Problem Solving with Young Learners. Age 5 to 11. Becoming confident and competent as a problem solver is a complex process that requires a range of skills and experience. In this article, Jennie suggests that we can support this process in three principal ways.
Free problem solving maths games for KS2 children. Topmarks Search; Whiteboard Resources ... 3-5 Years; 5-7 Years; 7-11 Years; 11-14 Years; Play these fun Maths Games for 7-11 year olds. ... These resources provide fun, free problem solving teaching ideas and activities for primary aged children. They will help children to reason mathematically ...
Sponge Sections. Age 7 to 11. Challenge Level. 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.
Age 7 to 11. Challenge Level. Place four pebbles on the sand in the form of a square. Keep adding as few pebbles as necessary to double the area. How many extra pebbles are added each time?
Four Go. Age 7 to 11. Challenge Level. This challenge is a game for two players. Choose two of the numbers to multiply or divide, then mark your answer on the number line.
Problem-solving key stage 2 primary resources for children. We have tons of maths problem-solving activities for kids, and resources available to help your key stage 2 students practice their problem-solving skills. There are lots of themed resources too. This includes things like sports-themed investigate puzzles, or code cracking problems.
Find out how we encourage children to approach problem solving independently in our blog: 20 Maths Strategies KS2 That Guarantee Progress for All Pupils. The most commonly used model is that of George Polya (1973), who proposed 4 stages in problem solving, namely: Understand the problem. Devise a strategy for solving it.
Our exciting KS2 teaching resources will help introduce your year 3, year 4, year 5, and year 6 students to problem-solving and reasoning topics. Be sure to take a look at our fun and engaging maths word problems, maths investigations, and maths games, which can all be used with the accompanying key stage 2 worksheets and activities. Our fun ...
Applying maths problems to real scenarios is a great way for KS2 students to develop their maths skills and to engage their learning more effectively. All of our investigation resources feature fun problem-solving activities that your students can get involved with and develop key maths skills! They all feature brilliant illustrations to help ...
Here you can find a wide array of maths word problems from division to fractions and more. All are designed to help your Key Stage 2 pupils develop their problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way! Choose from differentiated worksheets, challenge cards, fun activities and PowerPoints and tailor the learning experience to your teaching needs.
Problem solving games at KS2 are a great way for children to deepen their mathematical understanding. These KS2 maths games require children to think strategically and to approach problems in different ways. Problem solving game 1: the 24 game. This maths game is a great problem solving and 'low floor, high ceiling game', as players search ...
KS2 Maths Investigations: Problem solving in context. We believe that one of the answers is putting your maths problem solving activities into a context that your pupils can relate to. We call this Topical Maths, and we've used this idea as the source for several of our most popular Year 5 and Year 6 maths problem solving resources, all ...
KS2 Maths (Problem Solving) These topic-focused SATs questions at the end of a unit will help to test and extend students' understanding as well as helping them to prepare for SATs next year. These questions have fully-worked solutions which can be displayed on a whiteboard making feedback with students more efficient.
Maths Problem Solving Booklets. Subject: Mathematics. Age range: 11-14. Resource type: Worksheet/Activity. File previews. pdf, 424.8 KB. pdf, 353.5 KB. Maths problem solving booklets covering a wide range of mathematical problems designed to improve problem solving strategies as well as numeracy and mathematical ability. Designed to be printed ...
Here you can find a wide array of maths word problems from division to fractions and more. All are designed to help your Key Stage 2 pupils develop their problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way! Choose from differentiated worksheets, challenge cards, fun activities and PowerPoints and tailor the learning experience to your teaching needs.
9 Teddies & 3 Boxes Problem (Chris Duffy) Nim (Palmz) PNS Problem Solving (Chris Duffy) The Magic Carpet (from NNS) (Max Smith) Magic Carpet Lesson Plan (Katy Hebblewhite) DOC. 'The Red Express' Investigation (Fiona Venus) DOC. Solving Puzzles (Melanie Braithwaite) DOC. Tricky Word Problems (Hayley Kushner) DOC.
Practice is crucial to maths success, and our questions are designed to support your daily routines. These problems can be used across Y1 and Y2 throughout the year. Download. Our maths problems of the day provide four problems across KS1, KS2 and Lower KS3 for pupils to solve. View our Maths resources from White Rose Maths.
Scroll down to see our complete collection of KS2 problems that require children to work systematically, or explore the two sub-collections focusing on important aspects of systematic working. This collection is one of our Primary Curriculum collections - tasks that are grouped by topic. Age 7 to 11. Challenge Level.
Other valuable maths practice and ideas particularly around reasoning and problem solving at secondary can be found in our KS3 and KS4 maths blog articles. Try these fun maths problems for KS2 and KS3, SSDD problems , KS3 maths games and 30 problem solving maths questions .
Problem Solving in Primary Maths - the Session. In this programme shows a group of four upper Key Stage Two children working on a challenging problem; looking at the interior and exterior angles of polygons and how they relate to the number of sides. The problem requires the children to listen to each other and to work together co-operatively.
Interactives - Upper Primary. Try these interactives to improve yours skills in a variety of topics. The Nrich Maths Project Cambridge,England. Mathematics resources for children,parents and teachers to enrich learning. Problems,children's solutions,interactivities,games,articles.
Problem solving is a fundamental life skill that needs to be developed from an early age. Our maths problem solving activities are perfect for your students to work on this skill. From problem solving cards to games packs, we have everything you need when it comes to maths problem solving activities - browse our great range today!
These are some ideas for outdoor problem solving activities for KS2 to help children with learning maths outdoors. One of the most critical aspects of teaching and learning maths is to be able to solve problems. While teaching maths in school, I found that it can become easy to get overly focused on teaching the rules and procedures for doing ...