Pikado: 12 free educational tools for elementary school
✅ 12 educational tools
✅ 100% free
✅ No ads
Designed to make teachers' everyday work easier, these interactive tools cover time management, group formation, story generation and many other recurring classroom needs. Each tool can be used directly online, with no sign-up or installation required.
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Free visual classroom timer – Pikado
The Pikado visual timer is an interactive educational tool that is 100% free and ad-free. It helps elementary school teachers manage the time allocated to classroom activities. It offers two display modes and rings automatically when the countdown ends.
How does the Pikado timer work?
The timer offers two operating modes, set up in two steps:
- Turn the hand to set the desired duration
- Choose a display mode:
- Clock mode: the hand moves counterclockwise until it reaches 0.
- Timer mode: the full circle represents the selected duration, and its outline gradually shrinks as the countdown progresses.
A chime automatically signals when the allotted time is up.
How can you use this timer in the classroom?
Manage activity time
- Set time limits for individual or independent work
- Limit speaking time during presentations or discussions
- Structure rotating stations with set rotation times
Give students visual cues
- Timer mode shows the remaining time as the circle gradually shrinks
- Clock mode helps students practise reading an analogue clock and understand the passage of time
Establish classroom routines
- Time a quiet period, silent reading or a focus activity
- Use a shared sound to signal the end of a group activity
Why choose the Pikado visual timer?
Its two display modes adapt to each classroom's needs: timer mode provides an intuitive, gradual visual cue, while clock mode offers practice in telling the time. Free, ad-free and available directly online, it supports students' independence and time-management skills.
Wheel of Fortune – free classroom random picker
The Pikado Wheel of Fortune is a free, ad-free online classroom spinner that lets elementary school teachers randomly select up to 16 items: names, questions, words or activities of their choice.
How does the Pikado Wheel of Fortune work?
The teacher enters items in a text field, then spins the customizable wheel. Two selection modes are available:
- With replacement: the same item can be selected more than once.
- Without replacement: each item is selected only once, until the list is exhausted.
Use the wheel to randomly select a student, choose the day's activity or pick any word from a custom list.
How can you use this wheel in the classroom?
Make random selection fair
- Choose a student to come to the board, answer a question or read a text
- Use selection without replacement to give every student a turn before starting again
- Distribute tasks, roles and responsibilities fairly
Plan the day or an activity
- Enter a list of activities and let the wheel choose the activity of the day
- Vary classroom routines by randomly selecting a game, exercise or topic
Make revision and quizzes more engaging
- Enter concepts, vocabulary words or review questions
- Spin the wheel to select an item, then ask the class the corresponding question
- Refresh review sessions by regularly changing the list
Differentiate instruction
- Adapt the list to students' level or the topic being studied
- Choose a selection mode to match the learning objective
Why choose the Pikado Wheel of Fortune?
Simple and customizable, this free tool adds energy to many classroom activities: fair random selection, choosing an activity or a revision routine. The choice of selection mode also helps ensure impartiality.
Recording Tiles – text, images and sound for the classroom
The Pikado Recording Tiles are a free, ad-free online educational resource combining text, images and sound. Elementary school teachers can create interactive tiles with audio recordings to develop students' language skills, memory and independence.
How do the Recording Tiles work?
Each customizable tile can contain:
- Text
- An uploaded image
- A recorded audio message
Tiles can be moved manually, or shuffled automatically with a single click using the dedicated button.
How can you use the tiles in the classroom?
Develop speaking and language skills
- Pair an image with a recorded word to practise vocabulary
- Record an instruction, question or sentence for students to listen to
- Ask students to say a sentence, definition or explanation aloud
Boost memory and hands-on learning
- Create a matching game by shuffling the tiles (image/sound or text/sound pairs)
- Rearrange the tiles to recreate a logical sequence (chronology, ranking or sorting)
- Use the automatic shuffle to quickly change the layout between attempts
Encourage independence and learning stations
- Create audio and visual instructions for independent stations, which are useful for students who cannot yet read
- Set up listening or recognition games using the recorded tiles
Practise foreign languages
- Pair an image with a word recorded in a foreign language
- Have students repeat the word, then compare their pronunciation with the recording
Differentiate instruction
- Offer an alternative to written work for students who struggle with reading
- Let each student work at their own pace by replaying the tiles as often as needed
Why choose Pikado recording tiles?
By combining text, images and sound, this free tool offers multiple ways to learn (visual, auditory and written) and encourages students' independence, memory and oral expression.
Virtual dice roller – number sense and probability in the classroom
The Pikado dice roller is a free, ad-free online dice simulator with two complementary modes for elementary school teachers: a multi-sided “Dice” mode and a “Numbers” mode featuring a 10-sided die.
How do the Pikado virtual dice work?
The tool offers two distinct modes:
- “Dice” mode: five types of dice (2, 4, 6, 12 or 20 sides). Click a die icon to add it to the workspace; you can combine several dice with different numbers of sides.
- “Numbers” mode: a 10-sided die only. Each click on its icon adds another die to the workspace.
In both modes, a “Roll the dice” button rolls all the dice at once, and the result appears over each die. Drag a die to the trash can to remove it from the workspace.
How can you use dice in the classroom?
Number sense and counting (Numbers mode)
- Practise recognizing the digits 0 to 9 with a 10-sided die
- Add the results of several 10-sided dice to build larger numbers (tens and ones)
- Compare the results of multiple dice (greater than, less than or equal to)
Probability and statistics (Dice mode)
- Compare dice with different numbers of sides (2, 4, 6, 12 and 20) to see how the number of sides affects the probability of rolling a particular value
- Roll repeatedly and create a frequency table or chart to compare theoretical and observed results
- Introduce the concept of equally likely outcomes by comparing a 2-sided die with a 20-sided die
Practise mental math
- Calculate the sum, difference or product of the results of multiple dice
- Use the dice to play Mathador: reach a target number using the results and the four operations
- Play “The Countdown Numbers Game”: find a target number by combining basic operations
Differentiate instruction
- Adjust the difficulty by choosing the number and type of dice (a 2-sided die for younger students, a 20-sided die for greater complexity)
- Combine different types of dice to create customized math challenges
Why choose the Pikado dice roller?
Its two complementary modes let students practise number sense (with a 10-sided die), as well as probability and mental math (with multiple types of dice). Dice are easy to add, roll again and remove, making this a flexible tool for many classroom activities, from exploring numbers to tackling more advanced concepts.
Customizable Number Grid – skip counting and number hunts
The Pikado Number Grid is a fully customizable, free and ad-free number grid for skip counting, counting backwards, hiding cells and playing hidden-number games in the classroom.
How does the Pikado number grid work?
Six settings let you adapt the grid to each activity:
- Columns: sets the number of columns in the grid
- Rows: sets the number of rows
- Fill: controls whether numbers are displayed in the cells
- Step: sets the counting interval (counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, and so on)
- Start: sets the starting number
- Order: chooses forward or backward counting
How can you use the grid in the classroom?
Skip count and count backwards
- Practise number sequences by changing the starting number and interval (counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, 25s, and so on)
- Use backward counting to practise moving back through a number sequence
- Observe the visual patterns created by skip counting on the grid
Hide cells and find the secret number
- Hide cells to test students' memory of missing numbers
- Set up a secret-number hunt: students identify a hidden number from its position and neighbouring numbers
- Ask students to work out the values of the cells before, after, above or below the target number
Build number sense
- Introduce the concept of tens by choosing the number of columns
- Compare representations by changing the number of columns (the same value appears in a different position)
Why choose the Pikado number grid?
With six settings just one click away, this free tool turns a simple grid into a resource for a wide range of activities: counting, calculation, memory games and logic challenges for elementary school students.
Longest Word – vocabulary and spelling game
The Longest Word is a free, ad-free online letter game. Students are given a set of letters and must drag and drop them to make the longest word they can. It is a fun vocabulary and spelling activity for elementary school teachers.
How does the “Longest Word” game work?
Two modes are available:
- Random mode: letters are selected at random. You can set the word length (5, 6 or 7 letters) and choose uppercase or lowercase letters.
- “Your words” mode: the teacher enters a custom word list (3 to 7 letters per word), for example, words related to the current vocabulary lesson.
Once the settings are selected, the letters appear in a dedicated area. Students drag them to a target area to form a word. Two buttons make it easy to play: shuffle the letters or draw a new set.
How can you use this game in the classroom?
Establish a vocabulary and spelling routine
- Start a language arts lesson with a random draw and time for individual or group brainstorming
- Set a timed challenge to find the longest word before time runs out
- Use the shuffle button to explore different possible letter combinations
Practise a targeted word list
- Enter words from a vocabulary lesson, spelling list or specific topic
- Have students rebuild the words using drag and drop to reinforce spelling
- Adapt the list to the needs of the class or a group of students
Differentiate instruction
- Use fewer letters (5) or shorter words (3 letters) for students who are just getting started
- Increase the length (7 letters) to give more confident students an extra challenge
- Choose uppercase or lowercase letters to match students' reading levels
Encourage teamwork and group play
- Organize a team challenge to find as many words as possible using the selected letters
- Compare the words students find and build the class's shared vocabulary
Why choose Pikado's “Longest Word” game?
This free game develops vocabulary, spelling and word-building logic at the same time. The choice between random letters and a custom list, along with adjustable word length and letter case, makes it easy to differentiate activities for each student's progress.
Random student picker – create groups and make random selections
The Pikado Student Draw lets you randomly select one or more students or create groups and teams from a list of names. Each name is paired with an avatar, and a button starts a new draw.
How does the Pikado Student Draw work?
Enter the students' names, choose a selection mode, then click “Draw again”. Several options are available:
- Student: randomly select 1, 2 or 3 students
- Group: create pairs, groups of three or groups of four
- Team: divide students into 2, 3 or 4 teams
How can you use this random picker in the classroom?
- Quickly create random groups or pairs
- Select one or more students for a responsibility, to answer a question or to speak in front of the class
- Set the order of presentations or activities
- Divide students into teams for a game or group challenge
Why use the Pikado random picker?
Quick and easy to use, this tool makes it simple to create groups and select students at random. Its different selection formats can be adapted to classroom activities and organization.
Story generator – ideas for writing and storytelling
The Pikado Story Machine is a free picture-based game that helps students come up with sentences and stories. A spinner selects images suggesting a character, an action, a place or a time, depending on the categories chosen.
How does the Pikado Story Machine work?
The spinner can select an image for each of the following optional categories:
- Who? a character
- What? an action or story element
- Where? a place
- When? a time
The selected images appear in the corresponding spaces. You can choose only certain categories, such as “Who?” and “What?”, to adapt the prompts to the activity.
How can you use this story generator in the classroom?
- Make up a sentence using the pictures selected
- Start a creative writing activity and help students come up with ideas
- Play a collaborative storytelling game, with each student adding a part of the story
- Improvise an oral story individually, in pairs or in small groups
- Structure a story around a character, an action, a place and a time
Why use the Pikado story generator?
By letting you freely combine images and categories, this generator sparks imagination and makes it easier to get started with a writing or speaking activity, without imposing a single storyline.
Explore fractions with pizzas and chocolate bars
The Pikado Fractions tool lets students represent and compare fractions by virtually cutting up pizzas and/or chocolate bars. It helps teachers illustrate parts of a whole and explore equivalent fractions.
How does the Pikado Fractions tool work?
Choose the representation that suits the activity:
- One pizza or two pizzas
- One chocolate bar or two chocolate bars
- A combination of pizzas and chocolate bars
Each item can be cut into pieces and manipulated. A button then displays the fraction represented by the cuts.
How can you use this tool to teach fractions?
- Visualize a fraction as one or more pieces of a pizza or chocolate bar
- Compare different divisions and explore equivalent fractions
- Use several representations to make fractions more concrete
- Display the fraction represented by each division to connect the visual model with fraction notation
Why use pizzas and chocolate bars to teach fractions?
These familiar representations make fractions more concrete. By manipulating the items and displaying the fractions, students can connect the pieces to fraction notation and compare different representations.
Playing with numbers – unit blocks to visualize addition and subtraction
Playing with numbers is an interactive tool that makes arithmetic concrete with movable unit blocks. Students can combine them to represent addition or split them to illustrate subtraction.
How does the Playing with Numbers tool work?
Bring up unit blocks, then manipulate them with your finger or mouse:
- Combine the blocks to group them and represent addition, such as 1 + 1 = 2 or 4 + 3 = 7
- Split a block to represent subtraction and see the remaining quantity
- Show a vertical ruler marked from 1 to 12 to compare the height of the stack with the corresponding numbers
How can you use unit blocks in the classroom?
- Illustrate addition and subtraction through hands-on manipulation
- Connect a written equation to a visual representation of quantities
- Help students observe how blocks combine or separate
- Present math problems for students to solve by manipulating the blocks
Why use unit blocks to teach operations?
Hands-on manipulation makes quantities and operations visible: students can combine or separate the blocks to better understand what addition and subtraction mean.
Hundreds, Tens, Units – interactive place-value manipulatives
Hundreds, Tens, Units is a free interactive tool for representing numbers with visual place-value manipulatives. Add as many hundreds, tens and ones as needed, then group or break apart the pieces.
How does the Hundreds, Tens, Units tool work?
Add hundreds, tens and ones to the workspace as needed. The pieces can be grouped into sets or broken apart with a double-click. An option lets you show or hide the number represented by the pieces.
How can you use these place-value manipulatives in the classroom?
- Visually represent a number using hundreds, tens and ones
- Group ones or tens to explore regrouping between place-value units
- Break apart groups to decompose a number
- Show or hide the number to create a reading or identification activity
Why use virtual place-value manipulatives?
Hands-on manipulation makes the value of digits and the composition of numbers more concrete. Showing or hiding the number lets students move from a visual representation to the written numeral, or work in the other direction.
Emotions – recognize and express feelings with Pikado
The Pikado Emotions app helps children aged 2 to 8 recognize and explore happiness, sadness, fear and anger. By moving a slider, they can explore these emotions in a playful way and talk about self-esteem and getting along with others.
How does the Emotions app work?
A slider brings up the emotions for students to explore visually. With an adult's support, children can identify and name different emotions.
How can you use this emotions tool?
- Recognize and name happiness, sadness, fear and anger
- Encourage children to talk about how they feel
- Use emotions as a starting point to discuss self-esteem and getting along with others
- Use the slider to prompt discussion in the classroom or in a small group
What age group is the Pikado Emotions app for?
This app is suitable for children aged 2 to 8. Its visual, playful approach makes it easy to explore emotions with young children.
