MATHS in the Playground Kit – Outdoor Maths & Numeracy Activity Set

Take maths beyond the classroom with the MATHS in the Playground Kit – a comprehensive outdoor numeracy activity set designed to make counting, number work, calculation, shape and problem-solving more active and engaging. Combining large-format resources, mathematical games and reusable recording surfaces, the MATHS in the Playground Kit gives children opportunities to walk, step, discuss, calculate, record and play while exploring important mathematical concepts.

The kit includes a large 100 square, giant walk-on number line, an A2+ dry-erase grid board, a chalkboard roll, a snakes and ladders game, and a Playing with Maths mat, providing several ways to approach practical maths activities.

Designed for children aged 4 years and over, the MATHS in the Playground Kit is ideal for outdoor maths lessons, playground interventions, activity days and group learning. Individual resources can also be incorporated into suitable indoor activities when appropriate.

Take Maths Learning Outdoors

The MATHS in the Playground Kit turns the playground into an active learning environment.

Rather than completing every maths activity at a desk, children can physically move between numbers, stand in different positions, work collaboratively and record their ideas using the supplied resources.

Activities can combine:

Movement → Mathematics → Discussion → Problem-solving

Teachers can select individual resources according to the learning objective or combine several components to create a larger outdoor maths session.

Six Practical Maths Resources in One Kit

The MATHS in the Playground Kit contains:

• 1 × Large 100 Square

• 1 × Giant Walk-On Number Line

• 1 × A2+ Dry-Erase Grid Board

• 1 × Chalkboard on a Roll

• 1 × Snakes and Ladders Game

• 1 × Playing with Maths Mat

Each component provides a different type of interaction, allowing practitioners to vary activities without changing the underlying mathematical objective.

Large 100 Square

The large 100 square provides a highly visual resource for exploring number relationships.

Children can investigate:

• Counting

• Number recognition

• Number order

• One more and one less

• Ten more and ten less

• Number patterns

• Multiples

• Addition

• Subtraction

The regular arrangement makes patterns easier to see than when numbers are considered individually.

Teachers can ask children to locate particular numbers and explain what they notice about their positions.

Discover Number Patterns

The 100 square can be particularly useful for investigating repeated sequences.

Children might explore counting in:

• Twos

• Fives

• Tens

• Other appropriate number sequences

Rather than simply memorising the sequence, pupils can look at where the numbers appear and discuss any patterns they notice.

Questions such as "What do you think comes next?" encourage children to predict before checking their answer.

Giant Walk-On Number Line

The giant walk-on number line turns number work into a whole-body activity.

Children can physically position themselves on numbers and move forwards or backwards according to the challenge.

A teacher might ask a child to:

• Find a particular number

• Move one place forwards

• Move two places backwards

• Find the number before or after

• Demonstrate a simple calculation

• Compare two positions

The child can then describe what happened using appropriate mathematical vocabulary.

Explore Addition and Subtraction Through Movement

The giant number line provides a practical way to demonstrate simple calculations.

A child might begin at one number and physically move forward to represent addition or backwards to represent subtraction.

For example:

Start → Count the movement → Stop → Identify the result

This doesn't replace children's understanding of calculation methods, but it provides a physical representation that can support discussion about what the calculation means.

Mathematical Language in Action

Outdoor movement activities provide a natural context for mathematical vocabulary.

The MATHS in the Playground Kit can help practitioners introduce and reinforce words such as:

• Before

• After

• Between

• More

• Less

• Greater

• Fewer

• Forward

• Backward

• Above

• Below

• Next to

Children can hear the vocabulary while physically demonstrating the relationship being described.

A2+ Dry-Erase Grid Board

The included A2+ dry-erase grid board provides a reusable surface for teacher-led demonstrations and children's mathematical responses.

Depending on the learning stage and activity, it can support work involving:

• Patterns

• Position

• Shape

• Grids

• Coordinates

• Number work

• Problem-solving

Because the surface is dry erase, activities can be changed repeatedly rather than requiring a new worksheet each time.

Use appropriate compatible dry-erase equipment and follow the supplied cleaning instructions.

Explore Shape and Position

The grid board provides opportunities to investigate spatial and geometrical ideas.

Teachers can create shapes, patterns and positional challenges appropriate to the group.

Children can describe where something is located, copy a pattern or create their own arrangement.

The grid provides a consistent structure against which different shapes and positions can be compared.

Chalkboard on a Roll

The chalkboard roll provides another flexible recording area for outdoor maths.

It can be used to display:

• Number challenges

• Calculations

• Shapes

• Mathematical questions

• Scores

• Activity instructions

• Children's ideas

This makes it useful when creating larger playground activities where children move between different tasks.

Follow the supplied instructions regarding suitable chalk and cleaning.

Create an Outdoor Maths Trail

Several components from the MATHS in the Playground Kit can be combined to create a maths trail around an appropriate outdoor area.

Children might:

Complete a number-line challenge → Solve a problem → Visit the 100 square → Record an answer → Move to the next activity

This allows mathematical thinking to remain at the centre of the session while introducing physical movement between tasks.

The complexity of each station can be adapted according to the children taking part.

Snakes and Ladders Game

The included Snakes and Ladders game introduces familiar game-based learning.

Children can participate in a shared activity involving counting and movement through a numbered game structure.

The game provides opportunities to practise:

• Counting

• Number recognition

• Turn-taking

• Following a sequence

• Mathematical conversation

It can also provide a more informal context for children to use number language with one another.

Playing with Maths Mat

The Playing with Maths mat adds another dedicated mathematical activity resource to the kit.

It can be incorporated into group learning and practical maths sessions alongside the other supplied components.

Using several different resources allows practitioners to revisit mathematical concepts in different formats rather than relying on one repeated activity.

Counting and Number Recognition

The MATHS in the Playground Kit provides several opportunities for practical counting.

Children can count while:

• Moving along the number line

• Exploring the 100 square

• Playing mathematical games

• Completing outdoor challenges

• Discussing positions and sequences

The physical resources provide something children can see and interact with while using number language.

Explore Multiplication Patterns

As children's mathematical understanding develops, the large 100 square can be used to investigate multiplication patterns and multiples.

Children can identify repeated number sequences and look for relationships between them.

The teacher can adapt activities according to the learning stage of the group rather than introducing concepts before they are appropriate.

Problem-Solving Activities

The variety of resources within the MATHS in the Playground Kit makes it particularly useful for mathematical problem-solving.

Instead of always giving children a written calculation, teachers can create practical challenges.

For example:

"Start on this number. Move forward four places. Where are you now?"

or:

"Find three numbers on the 100 square that follow this pattern."

Children can then demonstrate and explain their reasoning using the physical resources.

Encourage Mathematical Discussion

Outdoor group activities can create plenty of opportunities for mathematical conversation.

Children can explain:

• Which answer they chose

• How they found it

• Which route they followed

• What pattern they noticed

• Whether another method might work

Teachers can ask open questions such as:

"How did you work that out?"

rather than focusing only on whether the final answer is correct.

This helps make mathematical reasoning visible within the activity.

Group and Collaborative Maths

The MATHS in the Playground Kit can support activities involving pairs, small groups or larger classes.

Children can work together to solve a challenge or discuss different approaches.

Shared activities provide opportunities for:

• Listening

• Turn-taking

• Explaining ideas

• Comparing strategies

• Collaborative problem-solving

The large-format resources are particularly useful when several children need to see or interact with the same mathematical representation.

Combine Maths with Gross Motor Movement

The giant walk-on number line and other large-format activities allow mathematical learning to include whole-body movement.

Children can walk, step and change position while thinking about numbers.

This creates opportunities for gross motor activity alongside mathematical exploration without suggesting that physical movement itself guarantees better academic performance.

Outdoor Maths Interventions

The MATHS in the Playground Kit can also provide useful variety within appropriate maths intervention activities.

A smaller group can revisit a familiar mathematical concept using the large physical resources rather than another worksheet.

For example, a child working on number order might physically locate and move between numbers before explaining what they notice.

Practitioners can select the components most relevant to the specific learning objective.

Maths Activity Days

With several substantial resources included, the kit is particularly suited to dedicated maths activity days.

Different areas can be established around the playground, each focusing on a different type of challenge.

Children can rotate between activities involving:

• Number

• Calculation

• Shape

• Games

• Patterns

• Problem-solving

The same equipment can then return to regular curriculum use after the event.

Adapt Activities to Different Learning Levels

One of the strongest features of the MATHS in the Playground Kit is that the equipment doesn't prescribe only one difficulty level.

A number line can support simple counting with one group and calculation activities with another.

Similarly, a 100 square might be used for basic number recognition or more advanced pattern investigation.

Teachers retain control over the mathematical objective and can adapt the challenge according to the pupils participating.

Why Choose the MATHS in the Playground Kit?

The MATHS in the Playground Kit gives teachers a practical way to take meaningful numeracy activities into larger learning spaces.

Its combination of a large 100 square, giant walk-on number line, A2+ dry-erase grid board, chalkboard roll, snakes and ladders game and Playing with Maths mat provides several different approaches within one collection.

Children can physically explore number sequences, demonstrate calculations, investigate patterns, work with shapes, record ideas and participate in mathematical games.

The large-format resources encourage movement and group participation, while reusable writing surfaces make it easy for practitioners to change activities according to current lesson objectives.

For schools looking for an outdoor maths kit, playground numeracy resources, active maths equipment or practical early years and primary maths resources, the MATHS in the Playground Kit provides a versatile foundation for hands-on mathematical learning.

Perfect For...

• Outdoor maths

• Playground numeracy

• Counting

• Number recognition

• Number sequencing

• Addition

• Subtraction

• Multiplication patterns

• 100-square activities

• Number-line activities

• Shape and geometry

• Mathematical vocabulary

• Problem-solving

• Active learning

• Group maths

• Maths interventions

• Maths activity days

• Children aged 4 years+

MATHS in the Playground Kit Features

• MATHS in the Playground Kit

• Comprehensive outdoor maths activity set

• Includes a large 100 square

• Includes a giant walk-on number line

• Includes an A2+ dry-erase grid board

• Includes a chalkboard on a roll

• Includes a snakes and ladders game

• Includes a Playing with Maths mat

• Supports practical counting activities

• Explores number recognition and sequencing

• Suitable for addition and subtraction activities

• Supports exploration of multiplication patterns

• Introduces shape and positional activities

• Encourages mathematical problem-solving

• Supports mathematical language and discussion

• Combines maths with physical movement

• Suitable for group and collaborative learning

• Reusable dry-erase and Chalkboard resources

• Ideal for playground lessons and outdoor maths activities

• Suitable from 4 years+

Specifications

• Product Name: MATHS in the Playground Kit

• Brand: Sensory Education

• Product Code: EDPLAYM/7

• Product Type: Outdoor maths and numeracy activity kit

• Contents: Large 100-square, giant walk-on number line, A2+ dry-erase grid board, chalkboard roll, snakes and ladders game and Playing with Maths mat

• Indoor/Outdoor: Designed for outdoor and playground learning; individual resources may also be used in suitable indoor spaces

• Learning Focus: Counting, number recognition, sequencing, addition, subtraction, multiplication, shape, mathematical vocabulary and problem-solving

• Suitable Activities: Outdoor lessons, playground maths, group learning, interventions and maths activity days

• Suitable Settings: Schools, classrooms and outdoor learning environments

• Recommended Age: 4 years+