Outdoor maths with sticks

You'll be amazed how much maths you can discover when you make a collection of sticks

Can you make a square and squash it to make a rhombus?

We need four straight sticks all the same length to make a square

What happens when we squash a square..."It's a rhombus"

Which sticks shall we choose to make a rectangle?

What happens if we change the angles... "it's a parallelogram"

What happens if I use five straight sticks to make a shape..."it's a pentagon"

What happens if I use six straight sticks to make a shape..."it's a hexagon"

Play the magic shape game

You will need a pile of straight sticks.
☺ Players agree on a 'magic shape' for the first round.
☺ Take turns
☺ Player 1 chooses some sticks and makes a shape
☺ Player 2 changes the shape by adding or removing or swapping one stick only.
☺ Players then continue to take turns until one player makes the magic shape.
☺ Play again choosing a different magic shape. ★ Pass it on ★On your turn talk about the shape you make. For example say "my shape has opposite sides that have an equal length and they are parallel,it's a parallelogram.
Make up a new version of the shape game.
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I am passionate to encourage families because the best way for you to help your child with maths at home is to have fun together. Get started with Number Chase games and activities.