First developed by Tony Ryan, Thinker's Keys are a set of twenty different activities designed to engage and motivate learners in a range of thinking tasks.

A range of question or task starters are presented as keys to unlocking the analytical, critical and creative thinking abilities of learners.

• The Reverse - places words such as cannot, never and would not in sentences eg List things you would never see in London.
• The What if - ask any what if question and record thinking in a graphic organiser
• The Alphabet - compile a list of words from A - Z which have relevance to a given topic or category
• The BAR - acronym for B=bigger A=add R=remove or replace, can be used for design related activities
• The Construction - a problem solving task that requires the creative use of limited quantities
• The Disadvantages - make a list of disadvantages for a specific object or activity
• Different Uses - use the imagination to make a list of different uses for everyday objects
• The Combination - list the attributes of two unmatched objects then combine their attributes to create a newer or better product
• The Ridiculous - make a ridiculous statement that would be virtually impossible to implement and then attempt to substantiate it.