Three Christmas tongue twisters have been encrypted as secret messages below, using Pigpen Cipher. Can you crack the code?
You can also try encrypting your own messages, using our Cryptography resource developed by the Open University
>> Download Code Cracker Challenge
>> Download Cryptography Resource
It’s time to get the paints out for this activity, as we make some ‘Symmetrees’ (sorry, we couldn’t resist the pun…)
In this tutorial, we will show you how to draw a perfect 5-point star.
>> Download Step-by-Step Tutorial
>> Watch full-length Tutorial Video
Happy Christmas Jumper Day! In this logic puzzle, use the clues to work out who wants to buy each of the festive jumpers.
This fun activity with a maths twist has two phases: first you make the game, then you play the game. You could make other animals too.
In our festive, cut out the symbols and place them on the grid so that you have one of each symbol in every row, column and block. There are three different levels of difficulty to choose from.
>> Download Festive Sudoku (easy)
>> Download Festive Sudoku (medium)
>> Download Festive Sudoku (advanced)
In this activity we are going to be making ‘gingerbread’ house decorations out of recycled cardboard, and decorating them with shapes and symmetrical patterns.
Get ready for some seasonal counting fun! How many of each of the symbols can you find? For a bonus activity, colour them all in.
In this activity, we’ll show you how to make some 3D geometric ornaments out of paper straws and pipe cleaners.
Can you complete the festive patterns in this seasonal activity sheet?
In this craft, we’re going to use the Fibonacci sequence to create a paper wreath.
Can you help Robbie the Reindeer get to his sleigh, by following the sequence of commands in this coding challenge? There are three levels of difficulty to choose from, with a hidden word or phrase to reveal in each one.
>> Download Coding Challenge (easy)
>> Download Coding Challenge (medium)
>> Download Coding Challenge (advanced)
To make this festive card, we’ll be looking at number bonds for 10 and sorting things by size.
In this non-competitive drawing game, children can explore shapes and patterns.
>> Download Bauble Game Tutorial
>> Download Bauble Game Template
Convert binary code in to pictures, in our festive bitmap puzzles. The have a go at creating your own puzzles for a friend to solve.
>> Download Festive Bitmap Puzzles
>> Download ‘Create Your Own Bitmap Puzzle’ Sheet
This simple beading activity celebrates the symmetry of snowflakes, and incorporates repeating patterns too.
For our final Christmas Countdown activity, let’s have some fun with number doodles! This was a really popular activity last year, so we’ve come up with another round of new doodles.
>> Download Number Doodle Tutorial
>> View 2022 Number Doodle Video
