Multi-link cubes

An absolute maths staple, multi-link cubes have a huge variety of uses! I use these when teaching measure to KS1 – to start off with, before introducing more formal instruments of measure such as rulers, I get children to measure things with their hands and feet, and then with cubes. They are also great when teaching mass, before introducing grams – to start off with, you can weigh items using cubes.

They are also incredibly useful for mental maths methods – number bonds to 10, counting on, addition and subtraction. You can also use them to make times table arrays. You can also use them for representing fractions – e.g. you could show 1/4 with one yellow cube and three red cubes. You can also teach tenths and hundredths with these, in much the same way as you would use a Rekenrek or Base 10.

Another fabulous activity is to give children an image of something (e.g. a rose) made out of cubes, and they have to try and replicate it – kind of like following lego instructions.