X Tables
Early Years Maths

Maths with building blocks

Count towers, compare heights and make repeating patterns.

Quick answer

Maths with building blocks helps you learn to count, compare sizes, and make patterns using blocks – all while playing and building!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to:
  • Count how many blocks are in a tower
  • Compare the heights of different towers
  • Make repeating patterns with blocks
Success signs:
  • You can count a tower of blocks and tell how many blocks are in it
  • You can say which tower is taller or shorter
  • You can make a pattern like red, blue, red, blue and keep going

Why this matters

Maths with building blocks helps you understand numbers, sizes, and patterns – all important skills for school and everyday life. When you build towers, you're learning about counting and comparing. When you make patterns, you're learning about sequences and repetition. These skills help you solve puzzles, build better models, and even play games more effectively.

How it works

Let’s learn step by step how to use building blocks for maths:
  1. Count your blocks – Start by counting how many blocks you have in a tower or pile
  2. Compare heights – Put two towers next to each other and see which one is taller or shorter
  3. Make patterns – Use different block colours or shapes to make a repeating pattern

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some fun examples using building blocks: Example 1: Counting towers Imagine you build a tower with 6 blocks. You can count them one by one:
  1. 1 block
  2. 2 blocks
  3. 3 blocks
  4. 4 blocks
  5. 5 blocks
  6. 6 blocks
So your tower has 6 blocks in it. Example 2: Comparing towers You build two towers:
  • One tower has 4 blocks
  • Another tower has 7 blocks
You can compare them:
  • The tower with 7 blocks is taller
  • The tower with 4 blocks is shorter
Example 3: Making patterns You use red and blue blocks to make a pattern:
  • Red block
  • Blue block
  • Red block
  • Blue block
This pattern keeps going: red, blue, red, blue, red, blue…

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Build a Block City You are a city planner and need to build a new town using blocks. Here’s your challenge:
  1. Build a tower with 5 blocks
  2. Build another tower with 3 blocks
  3. Compare the towers – which one is taller?
  4. Make a pattern using yellow and green blocks
  5. Build a small bridge using 8 blocks
This adventure helps you count, compare, and create patterns – all while having fun!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Counting the same block twice or skipping one
    Why it happens: When you're excited to build, you might not focus on counting carefully.
    Fix: Count each block once and say the number out loud as you go.
  • Mistake: Saying one tower is taller when it's actually shorter
    Why it happens: Sometimes it's hard to see which one is taller just by looking.
    Fix: Put the towers side by side and match them up to see which one is taller.
  • Mistake: Making a pattern that doesn’t repeat
    Why it happens: It’s easy to get confused when making a pattern.
    Fix: Start with a simple pattern like red, blue, red, blue, and practice it a few times before trying something new.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child with maths using building blocks in just 5-10 minutes:
  • Ask your child to count how many blocks are in a tower
  • Encourage them to compare towers by asking, “Which one is taller?”
  • Help them make a pattern and ask them to continue it
  • Give praise for trying and making mistakes – that’s how we learn!
  • Don’t worry if they get the counting wrong – it’s normal to make mistakes while learning

Practice questions

  1. How many blocks are in a tower with 3 layers?
  2. Which tower is taller – one with 5 blocks or one with 2 blocks?
  3. Make a pattern with red and yellow blocks: red, yellow, red, yellow. What comes next?
  4. Count 7 blocks one by one. What number do you say last?
  5. Build a tower with 4 blocks. Then build another with 6 blocks. Which is taller?
Answers:
  1. 3 blocks
  2. The tower with 5 blocks is taller
  3. Red
  4. 7
  5. The tower with 6 blocks is taller

FAQ

Can I use any kind of blocks for maths?
Yes! You can use wooden blocks, plastic blocks, or even LEGO bricks. Any blocks that are safe and easy to handle work great.

How can I make learning with blocks more fun?
You can turn it into a game! For example, challenge your child to build the tallest tower or to make a pattern that’s 10 blocks long. You can also tell stories while building – like “let’s build a castle with 5 towers”.

What if my child doesn’t like building with blocks?
That’s okay! Try to make it playful and not like a test. Let them explore and build whatever they want. You can also try using smaller blocks or shapes to make it easier and more fun.

How can I help my child understand patterns better?
Start with simple patterns like red, blue, red, blue. Then try adding more colours or shapes. You can also use sounds or movements to make the pattern – like clapping red, blue, red, blue.

Is there a way to use blocks for learning more advanced maths later?
Yes! Building blocks help with learning multiplication (by grouping blocks), area (by making rectangles), and even fractions (by splitting blocks into equal parts). They’re a great foundation for all kinds of maths!