Inspired by William, I’ve put together some ideas of outdoor maths you can do! Let’s hope the weather cheers up.
Statistics
Go on a short minibeast hunt. Create a graph to show the types of minibeasts that you found. Which type of graph will you use? What will you put in the x-axis? What will you put in the y-axis? Create questions about your graph to test someone in your family.
Time and statistics
Set up an obstacle course in the garden. Time yourself going around 3x and others. Add the time together and make a graph from the results. Add it in seconds and convert it to minutes. If you were to do the course 10 x how long would it take? How many courses could you complete in an hour?
Investigation
“It is impossible to find a stick which is half the length of another stick.” Prove it! Do not break sticks to change their size! How will you begin your investigation? How will you know which sticks you have already tried?
Ball games
In pairs, you can throw and catch a ball. Each time a successful catch is made they count up in a particular multiple. If they drop the ball they have to go back to the start. You can make this more of a competition by setting a time limit and seeing how high you can get.
Target Games
Set a target and allocate x10/÷10, x100/÷100 to each target. Roll a dice to generate a 2 digit, 3 or 4 digit number. Throw a ball into the target and complete the sum.
Or allocation the target a particular score – perhaps including decimals. The throw the ball 5 times and add up the score.
Area and Perimeter
Measure the fences or an area of the garden. Work out the area and perimeter. Draw a scale drawing.
Shape
What 2D and 3D shapes can you see in your garden and in nature? Take photos, make a collage. Can you make a pyramid out of sticks?
Position
Make a trail in the garden. Design a treasure map and direct someone through the trail using left, right, forwards. Repeat with angles 90 degree, 180 etc.
Do it blindfolded for fun!
Plan and run a tea party/cafe
Not necessarily outdoors but a great inspiration for Maths activities. Weighing ingredients to make cakes, ratio of squash to water, working out totals of cake and sandwich sales and giving change. Adding up profits.
Online shopping
Make a running total of an online shop. If you are getting 6 bananas and they cost 99p how much per banana?