
- A list of 20 interesting (and sometimes amazing!) puzzles, inspired by both classic math thinking and modern classroom techniques
- Research on why math puzzles are a great idea for your classroom
- Tips on how to effectively use them in the classroom
Math Puzzles for Kids:
1. Math crossword puzzles
[caption id="attachment_3240" align="aligncenter" width="648"]
2. Math problem search
Have students practice their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills by searching for hidden math equations in a word search-style puzzle. It can be adapted to any skill you want students to practice, and promotes a solid understanding of basic math facts.3. Math riddles
Do your students love word problems? Try giving them some math riddles that combine critical thinking with basic math skills. Put one up on the board for students to think about before class begins, or hand them out as extra practice after they’ve finished their work.My PreCalc students love riddles... can you figure out where the other dollar went?? #MathRiddles pic.twitter.com/BclqW9nq98
— Rachel Frasier (@MsFrasierMHS) January 8, 2019
4. Prodigy


5. KenKen
[caption id="attachment_3196" align="alignnone" width="600"]
6. Pre-algebraic puzzles
Pre-algebraic puzzles use fun substitutions to get students ready to perform basic functions and encourage them to build problem-solving skills. They promote abstract reasoning and challenge students to think critically about the problems in front of them.As an added bonus, students who suffer from math anxiety might find the lack of complicated equations reassuring, and be more willing to attempt a solution.7. Domino puzzle board
[caption id="attachment_3201" align="aligncenter" width="648"]
8. 2048
[caption id="attachment_3198" align="aligncenter" width="739"]
9. Kakuro
[caption id="attachment_3205" align="aligncenter" width="648"]
10. Magic square
[caption id="attachment_3202" align="aligncenter" width="648"]
11. Perimeter magic triangle
This activity uses the same materials and concept as the magic square, but asks students to arrange the numbers one to six in a triangle where all three sides equal the same number. There are a few different solutions to this puzzle, so encourage students to see how many they can find.12. Sudoku
Sudoku is an excellent after-lesson activity that encourages logical thinking and problem solving. You’ve probably already played this classic puzzle, and it’s a great choice for your students. Sudoku puzzles appear in newspapers around the world every day, and there are hundreds of online resources that generate puzzles based on difficulty.13. Flexagon
There’s a pretty good chance that by now, fidget spinners have infiltrated your classroom. If you want to counter that invasion, consider challenging your students to create flexagons. Flexagons are paper-folded objects that can be transformed into different shapes through pinching and folding, and will keep wandering fingers busy and focused on the wonders of geometry.14. Turn the fish
[caption id="attachment_3199" align="aligncenter" width="841"]
15. Join the dots
[caption id="attachment_3203" align="aligncenter" width="648"]
16. Brain teasers
While they don’t always deal directly with math skills, brain teasers can be important tools in the development of a child’s critical thinking skills. Incorporate brain teasers into a classroom discussion, or use them as math journal prompts and challenge students to explain their thinking. Bonus: For a discussion on probability introduce an older class to the Monty Hall Problem, one of the most controversial math logic problems of all time.17. Tower of Hanoi


18. Tangram
[caption id="attachment_3197" align="aligncenter" width="648"]
19. Str8ts
[caption id="attachment_3206" align="aligncenter" width="648"]
20. Mobius band
Is it magic? Is it geometry? Your students will be so amazed they might have a hard time figuring it out. Have them model the problem with strips of paper and see for themselves how it works in real life. With older students, use mobius bands to talk about geometry and surface area.Why use math puzzles to teach?
Math puzzles encourage critical thinking
Critical thinking and logic skills are important for all careers, not just STEM-related ones. Puzzles challenge students to understand structure and apply logical thinking skills to new problems. A study from the Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education found that puzzles “develop logical thinking, combinatorial abilities, strengthen the capacity of abstract thinking and operating with spatial images, instill critical thinking and develop mathematical memory.”All these skills allow young students to build a foundation of skills they’ll draw on for the rest of their lives, no matter what kind of post-secondary route they pursue.They help build math fluency
Math games can help students build a basic understanding of essential math concepts, and as another study shows, can also help them retain concepts longer.
Math puzzles connect to existing curricula
No matter what curriculum you’re using, there’s a good chance it emphasizes problem-solving, critique and abstract thinking. This is especially true of Common Core math and similar curricula. [caption id="attachment_3204" align="aligncenter" width="738"]

Tips for using math puzzles in the classroom
Now that you’ve got some great math puzzles, it might be tricky to figure out how to best incorporate them into your classroom. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your lesson time:
Make sure the puzzles are the right level for your class
If the problems are too easy, students will get bored and disengage from the lesson. However, if the problems are too difficult to solve, there’s a good chance they’ll get frustrated and give up early.There’s a time and a place
While math puzzles are a great way to engage your students in developing critical thinking skills, they’re not a tool for teaching important math concepts. Instead, use them to reinforce the concepts they’ve already learned.Kitty Rutherford, a Mathematics Consultant in North Carolina, emphasizes that math puzzles and games shouldn’t be based solely on mental math skills, but on “conceptual understanding” that builds fluency over time. Math puzzles help build the essential balance between thinking and remembering.Give them space to figure it out
Rachel Keen, from the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia, conducted a study about problem-solving skills in preschoolers. She found that “playful, exploratory learning leads to more creative and flexible use of materials than does explicit training from an adult.”Give your students space to struggle with a problem and apply their own solutions before jumping in to help them. If the problem is grade-appropriate and solvable, students will learn more from applying their own reasoning to it than just watching you solve it for them.Model puzzles for your students
Use problems like the mobius strip to awe and amaze your students before drawing them into a larger discussion about the mathematical concept that it represents. If possible, make math puzzles physical using recycled craft supplies or modular tools.
Final thoughts on math puzzles
Be aware that it might take a while to get all your students on board -- they could be hesitant about approaching unfamiliar problems, or stuck in the unenthusiasm that math class often brings. Consider creating a weekly leaderboard in your classroom for the students that complete the most puzzles, or work through a few as a class before sending students off on their own. Instead of yawns and bored stares, get ready to see eager participants and thoughtful concentration. Whether you choose to use them as an after-class bonus, a first day of school activity or as part of a targeted lesson plan, math puzzles will delight your students while also allowing them to develop critical skills that they’ll use for the rest of their lives. What are you waiting for? Get puzzling!>>Create or log in to your teacher account on Prodigy – a free, game-based learning platform for math that’s easy to use for educators and students alike. Aligned with curricula across the English-speaking world, it’s loved by more than a million teachers and 50 million students.