Volumes of cuboids worksheet

In an engaging worksheet designed to help Key Stage 2 students grasp the concept of volume, a series of hands-on activities are presented, all requiring the use of interlocking cubes. The first activity sets the task of constructing a 3D shape with a given volume, for example, 10 cubic centimetres. The challenge for the children is to explore different configurations of the cubes that still result in the specified volume, encouraging them to think creatively about the properties of shapes and space.

The second activity builds upon the first by introducing constraints on the dimensions of the shape. Children are shown a 3D shape with a particular volume, height, and length, and are then asked to rearrange the cubes in various ways that maintain these specific measurements. This exercise is designed to deepen their understanding of how volume is conserved despite changes in shape. In the third activity, students work in pairs with a focus on communication and problem-solving. One child creates a shape with a certain volume, height, and length, and then verbally guides their partner to recreate the same shape without revealing the measurements. Afterward, they compare their models and swap roles. The objective of these exercises is to enable students to calculate, estimate, and compare the volumes of cubes and cuboids, using standard units such as cubic centimetres and cubic metres, and to recognise when formulae for area and volume can be applied to different shapes.