Looking for an easy way to build critical thinking skills in your classroom?

This FREE sample includes 5 engaging Critical Thinking Activities designed to get students thinking, discussing, and creating—without any prep.

Each task follows a simple, powerful structure:

Think → Evaluate → Create

Students explore ideas, assess possibilities, and design solutions while developing confidence in their thinking.

WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS FREE RESOURCE

✔ No prep—just print or assign digitally

✔ High engagement, open-ended tasks

✔ Encourages discussion and reasoning

✔ Multiple possible answers (no “right” answer)

✔ Builds confidence in student thinking

Perfect for trying out the MindStretch approach to thinking in your classroom.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

✔ 5 FREE Critical Thinking Challenges

✔ 5 Thinking Skill Types:

• What If? (Hypothetical Thinking)
• Design Challenge (Creative Problem Solving)
• Logic Challenge (Reasoning)
• Perspective Shift (Flexible Thinking)
• Problem Solving (Analytical Thinking)

✔ 15 scaffolded thinking prompts (3 per task)

✔ 5 extension challenge prompts

✔ Think → Evaluate → Create structure

✔ Student Thinking Space pages

✔ Teacher guidance

✔ Student self-assessment reflection

✔ PDF (print-ready)

✔ Google Slides™ version (digital + editable)

SKILLS DEVELOPED

Students will:

✔ Think critically and creatively

✔ Evaluate ideas and justify opinions

✔ Develop problem-solving strategies

✔ Communicate their thinking clearly

HOW TO USE

Use these flexible activities as:

✔ Warm-ups or bell ringers

✔ Writing prompts

✔ Whole-class discussions

✔ Early finisher tasks

✔ Small group activities

✔ Introduction to inquiry learning

PERFECT FOR

✔ Years 3–8

✔ Stage 2 & Stage 3

✔ Gifted & enrichment

✔ Fast finishers

✔ Cross-curricular use

READY FOR MORE?

This FREE resource is a sample from the MindStretch Thinking System.

Continue the learning with:

Critical Thinking Activities Volume 1 – 25 Foundational Thinking Skills

✔ 25 structured thinking challenges

✔ Clear Think → Evaluate → Create progression

✔ Builds deeper reasoning and independent thinking

Perfect for extending the learning from this free sample.

TEACHER TIP

Encourage students to explain their thinking, not just their answers.

Focus on depth over speed and reasoning over correctness.

Bring Thinking to Life

These activities pair perfectly with our Thinking Scenarios, where students apply their skills in engaging, real-world challenges.

For quick daily practice, explore our Mini Thinking Tasks and Task Cards.

Build a complete thinking classroom with consistent practice + application.

FOLLOW MY STORE

Click ⭐ to follow for more critical thinking, problem solving, and creative thinking resources.