You use maths when building with blocks

Quick answer

You use maths when building with blocks because you’re working with shapes, counting, and making equal groups – all of which are key maths skills!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how building with blocks helps you learn about shapes, counting, and making equal groups – all important maths skills!

• You can describe the shapes you see in block buildings
• You can count how many blocks you use in a building
• You can make equal groups of blocks to build patterns
• You can explain how blocks help you learn maths

Why this matters

When you build with blocks, you’re not just playing – you’re learning maths without even realising it! You use maths every time you stack blocks, make patterns, or count how many you need. This helps you understand bigger maths ideas like area, volume, and multiplication. These skills help you with puzzles, games, and even drawing pictures. The more you play with blocks, the better you get at maths!

How it works

Building with blocks uses maths in many ways:

1. Shapes – You see squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles in your blocks.
2. Counting – You count how many blocks you use to make something.
3. Equal groups – You make rows or columns of blocks to build patterns.
4. Patterns – You repeat blocks in a certain order to make a design.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you’re building a tower with blocks:

• You use 5 red blocks and 3 blue blocks. That’s 5 + 3 = 8 blocks in total.
• You make a row of 4 blocks, and you do this 3 times. That’s 4 × 3 = 12 blocks in total.
• You build a rectangle using 6 blocks across and 4 blocks high. That’s 6 × 4 = 24 blocks in total.

Here’s a table showing how many blocks you might use in different shapes:

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a block-building adventure! You are building a castle with blocks. Here’s what you do:

1. First, you make a base using 8 blocks in a row.
2. Then, you build 3 rows of 8 blocks each to make a wall.
3. Next, you make a tower with 5 blocks in a column.
4. Finally, you add 4 more blocks to the top of the tower.

How many blocks did you use in total?

• Base: 8 blocks
• Wall: 3 rows × 8 blocks = 24 blocks
• Tower: 5 blocks
• Top: 4 blocks

8 + 24 + 5 + 4 = 41 blocks in total!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that 3 rows of 4 blocks = 3 + 4 = 7 blocks.
• Why it happens: Confusing addition and multiplication.
• Fix: Count the rows and the blocks in each row, then multiply.

• Mistake: Forgetting to count all the blocks in a shape.
• Why it happens: Not looking carefully at the structure.
• Fix: Go row by row and count each block.

• Mistake: Saying that a square is the same as a rectangle.
• Why it happens: Not noticing that all sides of a square are equal.
• Fix: Check that all sides are the same length for a square.

Parent and carer guide

Here’s how you can help your child learn maths while they build with blocks:

• Ask them to count how many blocks they used in their building.
• Encourage them to describe the shapes they see (square, rectangle, triangle).
• Ask them to make equal rows or columns of blocks to build patterns.
• Use simple multiplication to check how many blocks are in a pattern (e.g., 4 rows of 3 blocks = 12 blocks).
• Notice when they are using maths without realising it – that’s a great sign!

Remember, don’t worry if they make mistakes. Mistakes help them learn! Keep the play fun and keep asking questions to help them think more deeply about their blocks.

Practice questions

1. You make 3 rows of 5 blocks. How many blocks do you use?
2. You build a square with 4 blocks on each side. How many blocks do you use?
3. You make a rectangle with 6 blocks wide and 3 blocks tall. How many blocks do you use?
4. You build a tower with 7 blocks in a column. How many blocks are in the tower?
5. You make 2 rows of 8 blocks. How many blocks do you use?

Answers:

1. 3 × 5 = 15 blocks
2. 4 × 4 = 16 blocks
3. 6 × 3 = 18 blocks
4. 7 blocks
5. 2 × 8 = 16 blocks

FAQ

How does building with blocks help with maths?

Building with blocks helps you learn about shapes, counting, and making equal groups. These skills are the foundation of bigger maths ideas like area, multiplication, and patterns.

Can I use maths in any kind of block building?

Yes! Whether you're building a tower, a house, or a castle, you're always using maths. You're counting, making patterns, and working with shapes.

What if I don’t know the multiplication facts?

That’s okay! You can still count the blocks or draw a picture to help you. The important thing is to understand what multiplication means – it’s just repeated addition!

Can I use this with younger children?

Absolutely! Even 4-year-olds can build with blocks and count them. Older children can explore more complex patterns and shapes.

What if my child doesn’t like building with blocks?

Try making a challenge or a game! For example, “Let’s build a tower as tall as you are” or “Can you make a pattern with 3 different colours?”