Area & Perimeter Spin, Draw & Roll Activity is the perfect hands-on task for helping students explore the concepts of area and perimeter through play-based, interactive learning. This creative activity gets students up and thinking mathematically, while reinforcing the strategies and calculations needed to master measurement.

Using spinners and dice, students select and draw shapes onto a provided think mat. Once the shape is chosen, they roll dice to generate side lengths, label their diagram, and then calculate both the area and perimeter using appropriate number sentences. This activity combines visual, kinesthetic, and numerical learning – making it a highly effective tool for consolidating measurement knowledge in both individual and small group settings.

The task is flexible and easy to differentiate. Choose between two included spinner sets and two types of think mats depending on the level and needs of your class. The activity can be simplified for students still building confidence with regular shapes, or extended by encouraging students to draw and calculate more complex compound shapes. For even more excitement, try swapping out the dice – the resource works with any number of sides, so feel free to use 6, 8, 12, or 20-sided dice for added variety (why not try the ones on our digi-tool dashboard?).

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Calculate the area and perimeter of regular and compound shapes
• ✅ Apply mathematical operations to solve problems involving measurement
• ✅ Use diagrams and labels to represent side lengths and dimensions
• ✅ Develop fluency in constructing and interpreting number sentences
• ✅ Engage in reasoning, problem-solving and mathematical modelling

What’s Included:

• 2 area & perimeter spinners (featuring a variety of shapes)
• 2 think mat templates for drawing and solving problems
• Worked examples to support independent and group learning
• Instructions and suggestions for differentiating the activity

Materials Needed:

• Printed spinner and think mat pages
• Pencils and erasers
• Dice (6-, 8-, 12-, or 20-sided – or use our online digital dice)
• Optional: whiteboards and markers for repeated practise or group work
• Scissors and split pins (if assembling physical spinners)

How to Use:

1. Students spin to choose a shape and draw it on their think mat.
2. They roll dice to determine side lengths or dimensions, then label their drawing.
3. Using the labelled sides, they calculate the shape’s perimeter and area.
4. Students write a number sentence for each calculation to explain their thinking.
5. Repeat the activity using a different shape, or create a compound version for extension.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Include in your measurement rotations for interactive learning
• 💡 Use in small groups for targeted support or enrichment activities
• 💡 Turn it into a challenge – who can build the largest shape with a given area?
• 💡 Create a gallery wall of student think mats showing different strategies
• 💡 Link the activity to real-world scenarios like garden design or house planning

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Encourage students to verbalise their working out as they label each side
• 💛 Laminate the think mats and use whiteboard markers for a reusable option
• 💛 Use dice with larger numbers for upper primary students ready for a challenge
• 💛 Invite students to design their own spinner shapes for even more engagement

Area & Perimeter Spin, Draw & Roll Activity brings measurement to life in a fun, tactile and creative way – helping students build fluency, confidence and a deeper understanding of how to calculate and apply area and perimeter in a variety of contexts.

This resource is a perfect match for our Measuring Area & Perimeter Posters – ideal for visual reinforcement alongside hands-on learning.