◷ 15 minutes◎ Ages 5–9✦ Coding & Logic
Quick start

Sorting games build the habit of describing a rule, testing examples and noticing exceptions.

Finished example for Invent a sorting game with changing rules
Inspiration image: one possible finished result. Your artwork should be your own.
Your creative mission

What you will learn

A useful sorting rule consistently explains each group.

Skills: Classification, explanation and rule-making

Jump to picture steps ↓

What you’ll need

  • Six to twelve safe household objects
  • Two bowls or sheets of paper

Get ready: Prepare clean, large, safe objects with visible differences.

Six-frame visual journey for Invent a sorting game with changing rules, ending in a colourful creative variation
Visual journey: use the numbered guide below for complete instructions. The final inspiration image is one imaginative variation, not a required result.
Follow along

Make it, one picture at a time.

Look at the picture, try that step on your paper, then move to the next. Follow the numbered stages, then choose your own colours and details.

  1. Stage 1 of 5: Collect clean, safe objects such as blocks, pencils or paper shapes.
    STEP 01

    Collect clean, safe objects such as blocks, pencils or paper shapes.

  2. Stage 2 of 5: Sort them into two groups using one rule, such as “round” and “not round.”
    STEP 02

    Sort them into two groups using one rule, such as “round” and “not round.”

  3. Stage 3 of 5: Ask someone to guess the rule by looking at the groups.
    STEP 03

    Ask someone to guess the rule by looking at the groups.

  4. Stage 4 of 5: Change the rule to something less obvious, like “can roll” and “cannot roll.”
    STEP 04

    Change the rule to something less obvious, like “can roll” and “cannot roll.”

  5. Stage 5 of 5: Explain why one object belongs in a group. Check for examples that do not fit.
    STEP 05

    Explain why one object belongs in a group. Check for examples that do not fit.

Make it your own

Some objects fit more than one description. That makes a useful conversation about defining rules clearly.

Talk about it: Why does this object belong in this group?

Help a young artist learn

These practical notes are for parents, carers and teachers. Children can follow the picture steps above.

For parents and carers — teach together

Start together

Prepare clean, large, safe objects with visible differences.

During the activity

Ask for the reason behind each choice instead of correcting quickly.

Afterwards

Ask: Why does this object belong in this group?

For teachers — classroom adaptation

Learning focus

Classification, explanation and rule-making

Demonstrate and guide

Ask groups to invent hidden sorting rules that classmates can infer.

Observe, do not grade the artwork

Ask learners to describe one choice they made and one thing they would try differently.

Make it easier or take it further

Make it easier

Separate only circles and squares.

Extra challenge

Make a sorting rule with two features, such as colour and shape.

Keep creating

Try an unplugged coding maze

Practice instructions and debugging using arrows instead of a computer.

Draw patterns using just three colours

Explore repeating patterns without needing any complicated drawing skills.

Activities are suggestions, not assessments. Adapt materials and supervise as needed.