Are you looking to extend your students’ mathematical thinking? Are you seeking ways to apply maths concepts you have taught engagingly and authentically? Are you after easy yet effective ways to differentiate and assess mathematical understandings? If so, these Open-Ended Maths Problems Task Cards are the perfect resource for your class.

With 24 open-ended problems across a range of mathematics content areas, this card set challenges students to combine and apply their mathematical knowledge flexibly. Each task provides an opportunity for multiple solutions, encouraging creative thinking, justification of strategies, and deeper reasoning. These cards are ideal for students to explore problem-solving at their own level while still meeting curriculum outcomes.

Whether used during guided practice, partner work, rotations, or independent enrichment, this resource supports flexible classroom use. Each card can serve as a quick formative check-in, an extension task, or a small group prompt. With four cards per page and options for black-and-white or colour printing, they're easy to prepare and ideal for repeat use across the year.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Apply a range of mathematical strategies to open-ended problems
• ✅ Demonstrate flexible thinking and multiple solution pathways
• ✅ Strengthen reasoning and communication of mathematical ideas
• ✅ Build independence and confidence when solving unfamiliar problems
• ✅ Engage in meaningful mathematical discussions with peers

What’s Included:

• 24 open-ended maths problems covering a variety of content areas
• Four task cards per A4 page for efficient printing
• Colour and black-and-white versions for flexible use
• Prompts designed to allow multiple entry points and varied responses

Materials Needed:

• Printed and cut task cards (paper or card recommended)
• Laminator (optional for durability and repeated use)
• Pencils, whiteboards, or student journals for working out responses
• Storage container or ring clip to keep cards organised

How to Use:

1. Select a card set or specific task based on your current unit or student needs.
2. Distribute cards for individual, partner, or small group use.
3. Students solve the problem and record multiple answers or strategies.
4. Facilitate a class share or reflection session to discuss different approaches.
5. Use completed tasks as formative assessment or display for strategy sharing.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use in maths rotations as a problem-solving station
• 💡 Add to early finisher tubs for self-directed extension
• 💡 Set one challenge a week as your “Problem of the Week”
• 💡 Use to support maths talk and justification in small groups
• 💡 Assign as collaborative team tasks with shared recording sheets

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Print on coloured card and laminate for long-term use
• 💛 Encourage students to justify each answer with drawings or number sentences
• 💛 Use a timer for quick challenge rounds to build fluency
• 💛 Pair with a working wall where students post different solutions for discussion

Open-Ended Maths Problems Task Cards are an easy-to-use, high-impact resource that helps students engage deeply with mathematical thinking in an open-ended and differentiated way. With multiple uses across the year, these cards are a must-have for any maths classroom.

Ensure your students get the most out of these challenges with our Solving Open-Ended Problems PowerPoint. Or if you’d prefer all the challenges in one place, check out the full Open-Ended Maths Problems Booklet.