Challenge your students to think like designers, builders, and mathematicians with the Building with 3D Objects resource! This hands-on, inquiry-based activity encourages learners to explore, visualise, and construct a variety of 3D shapes using everyday materials or printable nets.

The resource includes 18 “Can You Build” task cards presented in two differentiated levels of difficulty. Each card invites students to construct a 3D object—such as a prism or pyramid—based on shape prompts, design features, or specific constraints. It’s an excellent way to promote spatial reasoning, mathematical language, and problem-solving all in one engaging activity.

To extend learning further, students can use our printable 3D Nets to bring their shape creations to life. With additional planning and reflection sheets included, this resource supports the full design thinking cycle—from planning to building to evaluating. Whether used independently, in pairs, or in STEM rotations, this activity is highly versatile and full of hands-on learning potential.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify and describe properties of 3D objects
• ✅ Apply spatial reasoning and problem-solving strategies
• ✅ Use visual and written planning to support shape construction
• ✅ Develop fine motor skills through building and assembling models
• ✅ Engage in self-reflection and communication about mathematical thinking

What’s Included:

• 18 “Can You Build” task cards
• 2 levels of difficulty to support differentiation
• Planning sheets for students to sketch and record their building ideas
• Reflection sheets to guide self-assessment and discussion
• Instructions and suggestions for classroom implementation

Materials Needed:

• Printed task cards and recording sheets
• Building materials such as toothpicks, matchsticks, straws, plasticine, or LEGO
• Optional: printed 3D nets for paper-based construction
• Pencils, markers, or clipboards for planning and writing

How to Use:

1. Introduce or revise common 3D shapes and their properties.
2. Distribute task cards and explain the building challenge.
3. Allow students time to plan their design using the provided planning sheet.
4. Have students construct their 3D object using materials or printable nets.
5. Encourage students to complete the reflection sheet and share their creation with a peer or the class.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Add to your STEM rotations or geometry stations
• 💡 Use as a collaborative partner task to develop communication and teamwork
• 💡 Include in a “Shape Challenge” week focused on hands-on exploration
• 💡 Showcase finished creations in a 3D object gallery walk
• 💡 Assign different task cards across groups and have students present their designs

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Print task cards on coloured cardstock and laminate for repeated use
• 💛 Provide pre-cut materials to reduce prep time and support younger learners
• 💛 Encourage students to label the properties of their shapes after building
• 💛 Use reflection sheets as a formative assessment tool for geometry understanding

Building with 3D Objects is a curriculum-aligned, flexible, and interactive resource that brings shape concepts to life through building, creating, and reflecting—making it a valuable addition to your geometry and STEM toolbox.

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