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Logic Puzzles for Kids: fun ways to teach critical thinking in 1st and 2nd grade

Susan Jones January 4, 2022 6 Comments

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These logic puzzles are so much fun for kids to practice their critical thinking skills. In this post, I share 5 different types of logic/critical thinking activities that are great for young students to practice! Before I dive in, I wanted to let you know you can watch or listen to all this information in video format below:

Research has shown that critical thinking skills do not develop naturally. Humans need to be put in situations where they can practice these skills in order to get better at them, just like any other subject we teach in school!

The difference is with most subjects, we teach the skills in concrete linear ways (addition, for example). This makes it important to also teach our students how to think outside the box and pose questions in a different way to practice their critical thinking skills. In this blog post, I am going to share some of my favorite logic and critical thinking puzzles that your students can use to solve problems thoughtfully in all areas of learning!

Odd One Out!

Odd One Out! is a fun puzzle game where students have to look at a set of 4 pictures and decide which one doesn’t belong. After they determine the odd one out, they must explain why it doesn’t fit . As you can see in the example below, all four items are body parts, however, three go on your face. Therefore, the foot is the “odd one out.”

Your students will have to give their answer and their explanation when solving the puzzle!

This activity is great for developing vocabulary, characterizing uses, and comparing and contrasting various parts of the different items. You can group pictures together based on their shape, or items that all start with the same letter, or a group of items that all rhyme, to practice a bunch of different skills using this same type of logic puzzle!

Combinations and Pattern Completions:

In these types of logic puzzles, students will combine shapes or complete patterns in their head. For example, in the puzzle below, students have to use spatial reasoning to determine what shape will be made when they add the line with the triangle. All three options show triangles with lines, but only the middle triangle makes sense based on the size and direction of the line. 

Spatial reasoning has so many real-world applications and it’s great for all of us, young and old, to practice developing that skill!

Similarly, in the complete the pattern puzzle below, students will look at the pattern on the top of the page and have to figure out which option comes next based on what they see. Pattern puzzles are great because students need to use their logic and evidence of what has already come before to make predictions about what comes next!

There are a lot of different critical thinking skills used for solving analogies. Students must figure out the meaning of the words, the uses of the objects, how the words in the first comparison are related, and how the first relationship relates to the second comparison in the analogy! Below is an analogy that I would use with my students:

The most important part when solving these analogies with your class is having them explain how they got their answer. In the example above, it might be easy for a student to say “rain”, but you really want them to verbalize why they knew that. That way, they will have to explain all the relationships and definitions in the analogy and explain the thought-process behind their answer. 

Anyone who has played sudoku knows that the more you practice, the better you get at it. That is why it is so important to keep practicing these logic puzzles with your students!

Sudoku puzzles are great for your students because they need to make quick decisions when determining which number or object goes where. They also need to be able to quickly recognize their mistakes along the way and fix them in order to progress with the puzzle.

Below are two kid-friendly sudoku puzzles you can use in your classroom using numbers or objects:

The above is a “classic” sudoku puzzle with numbers, but you can also use objects like shown below! Students will need to understand the basics of this type of game which is that each image or number can only appear once in each row, column, and block.

Classic Logic Puzzle

Last but not least, I love using a classic logic puzzle. Now listen… these were my nemesis! My brain would get so boggled thinking about how to solve these when I was a kid (and realistically, still now).  Here is an example of a kid-friendly puzzle so you know what I am talking about:

As you can see in the problem above, students can see the age of one child. Then, they have to use logic and reasoning based on the clues to determine the ages of the rest of the children in the puzzle.

Problems like this can be challenging because students need to organize their thoughts and develop a strategy first before they can solve the problem. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, these are skills that don’t come naturally, so we need to make sure that our students are able to consistently practice these logic puzzles in order to develop their skills. We also need to model how we would solve some of these problems so our students can see the strategies in action. We can’t expect them to just solve them on their own!

All the puzzles and examples above are part of a new unit I created to help students develop their critical thinking and logic skills. I made 40 puzzles for each of the 5 categories above, so this unit has 200 critical thinking and logic puzzles to use in your classroom. What’s great is each puzzle can be displayed to work through in a whole group setting and they are also available in black and white printable versions so students could paste them in a journal and solve on their own!

FREEBIE ALERT : if you follow the link below and preview the product, you can download 10 free puzzle slides from the unit!

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Reader Interactions

February 7, 2022 at 5:28 am

I am so excited to introduce these logic games to my class!! Thank you so much Susan

March 28, 2022 at 4:27 am

June 22, 2022 at 2:01 am

I can not wait to start my new class. These will be part of their morning work tubs.

January 6, 2023 at 11:52 pm

I would like the Logic Puzzles please.

January 25, 2023 at 7:31 pm

These logic puzzles will be great warm ups! Fantastic!!

March 10, 2023 at 2:59 pm

I love these! Such great activities to boost young minds.

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Hello friends.

Welcome to Susan Jones Teaching. When it comes to the primary grades, learning *All Things* in the K-2 world has been my passion for many years! I just finished my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and love sharing all the latest and greatest strategies I learn with you through this blog and my YouTube channel! I hope you'll enjoy learning along with me :)

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Grade 2 logical reasoning worksheets: Improve your child's thinking skills

Hello, and welcome to our engaging math resource! Today we will discuss a vital topic for Grade 2 students: logical reasoning. This article will provide many learning opportunities and areas in Mathskills4kids.com , where you'll find the best Grade 2 logical reasoning worksheets online. These worksheets are designed to improve your child's thinking skills and apply them in math and the real world.

Logical reasoning involves using facts, rules, and patterns to solve problems and make decisions . Logical reasoning skills are essential for academic success and everyday life.

Our major objective in this resource is to show you why logical reasoning is important for grade 2 students , how to introduce logical reasoning concepts to your child , fun and engaging activities to practice logical reasoning skills , the benefits of logical reasoning worksheets for grade 2 , tips and tricks to help your child solve logical reasoning problems , etc.

Let's get started!

Why logical reasoning is important for Grade 2 students

Logical reasoning is important for grade 2 students because it helps them develop their thinking skills and prepares them for more advanced math and science topics in the future.

Logical reasoning also helps students improve their reading comprehension, writing skills, and creativity. With logical reasoning skills, students can understand different perspectives, evaluate arguments, and draw conclusions.

Logical reasoning also fosters curiosity, confidence, and independence in learning.

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Start practice on Second Grade here

How to introduce logical reasoning concepts to your child.

The best way to introduce logical reasoning concepts to your child is to use everyday examples and situations they can relate to.

For example, you can ask your child questions like:

• What do you think will happen if you leave your ice cream outside on a hot day?
• How do you know that this is a triangle?
• What is the rule for making this pattern ?
• How can you sort these objects into different groups ?
• How can you prove that this statement is true or false?

You can also use games, puzzles, stories, and experiments to introduce logical reasoning concepts to your child. For example, you can play games like tic-tac-toe, chess, sudoku, or riddles with your child.

You can also read stories that involve logic puzzles or mysteries with your child. You can also do simple experiments with your child using household items like water, vinegar, baking soda, or food coloring.

Mathskills4kids fun and engaging activities to practice logical reasoning skills

There are many fun and engaging activities found in Mathskills4kids that you can use to practice logical reasoning skills with your child. Here are some examples:

• Make a treasure map with clues and directions for your child to follow.
• Create a secret code with symbols or letters and have your child decode it.
• Build a model or a structure with blocks or Lego and have your child explain how they did it.
• Make a collage or a picture with shapes and colors and have your child describe it.
• Invent a new game or a toy with rules and instructions for your child to play.

The benefits of Mathskills4kids logical reasoning worksheets for Grade 2: Improve your child's problem-solving and critical thinking abilities

One of the best ways to practice and improve your child’s thinking skills is to use logical reasoning worksheets for grade 2 from Mathskills4kids.com . These Logical reasoning worksheets are designed to challenge and stimulate your child's mind with different problems and questions requiring logic and reasoning. Logical reasoning worksheets for grade 2 can help your child improve their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities by:

• Developing their analytical and deductive skills
• Enhancing their memory and concentration
• Expanding their vocabulary and knowledge
• Increasing their creativity and imagination
• Boosting their confidence and motivation

Tips and tricks to help your child solve logical reasoning problems

Solving logical reasoning problems can be tricky sometimes, but some tips and tricks can help your child solve all the exercises in our Grade 2 logical reasoning worksheets and more.

Here are some of them:

• Encourage your child to read the problem carefully and understand what it is asking.
• Help your child identify the relevant facts, rules, and patterns in the problem.
• Guide your child to use different strategies like drawing diagrams, making tables, using examples, or eliminating options.
• Support your child to check their answers and explain their reasoning.
• Praise your child for their efforts and achievements.

What are some real-life situations where logical reasoning skills are useful?

Logical reasoning skills are useful in real-life situations and school. Here are some examples of how logical reasoning skills can improve your child’s thinking skills in everyday life:

• Planning a trip or an event
• Following directions or instructions
• Making choices or decisions
• Solving conflicts or disputes
• Learning new skills or hobbies

Where to find the best grade 2 logical reasoning resources online

There are many ways to practice logical reasoning with your kids at home or in the classroom. Hence we want to help you discover where to find the best grade 2 logical reasoning resources online to print and use with your Grade 2 students at any time.

These activities are interactive, colorful, and varied, so your kids will always feel excited. They also cover different logical reasoning skills that will readily improve your child’s thinking skills, such as pattern recognition, picture analogy, picture matching, odd one out, and more.

Here are some of the best online Grade 2 logical reasoning worksheets and fun activities that we have found for you:

This website offers a variety of printable logic grid puzzles for kids of different ages and levels. Logic grid puzzles are a type of logic puzzle that require you to use clues and deductive reasoning to fill in a grid with the correct information.

For example, you might have to figure out who likes which color, has which pet, or plays which instrument. These puzzles are great for developing logical thinking, attention to detail, and concentration skills.

This website provides interactive worksheets that you can do online or print out.

The worksheets are based on the topic of animals and their habitats. They involve matching animals to their habitats, finding the odd ones, completing patterns, and more.

These worksheets are perfect for practicing visual discrimination, categorization, and spatial reasoning skills.

These puzzles enhance logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and math skills.

Thank you for sharing the links of MathSkills4Kids.com with your loved ones. Your choice is greatly appreciated.

We hope you enjoyed our Grade 2 logical reasoning worksheets and saw the amazing results in your child's thinking skills .

Thank you for reading, and happy reasoning!

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Logical Thinking worksheets activities for Grade 2

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Logical Thinking worksheets activities for Grade 2 play an indispensable role in nurturing young minds to become adept problem solvers and critical thinkers. As children step into Grade 2, they are at a crucial developmental stage where their cognitive abilities can be significantly enhanced through structured and engaging exercises. Here's why these worksheets are so beneficial:

Foundation for Critical Thinking : Logical Thinking worksheets activities for Grade 2 lay down the groundwork for critical thinking skills. These activities challenge students to go beyond memorization and encourage them to understand the 'why' and 'how' behind various concepts.

Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills : Through puzzles, sequence solving, and pattern recognition exercises, children learn to approach problems systematically. This not only enhances their academic performance but also prepares them for real-life situations where logical reasoning is key.

Boosts Confidence : As children successfully solve the challenges presented in the worksheets, their confidence in their abilities grows. This newfound confidence can encourage them to tackle more complex problems and participate more actively in class discussions.

Encourages Independent Learning : Logical Thinking worksheets activities are designed in a way that students can often work through them independently. This promotes self-learning and helps children understand the importance of perseverance and self-motivation.

Develops Mathematical Thinking : Many of the skills honed through these activities directly correlate with mathematical concepts. By understanding patterns, sequences, and logical sequences, children find it easier to grasp more abstract mathematical ideas as they progress in their education.

In summary, Logical Thinking worksheets activities for Grade 2 are not just about solving puzzles or getting the right answers. They are about nurturing a generation of thinkers who can critically analyze information, solve problems efficiently, and approach learning with curiosity and confidence. Engaging students with these activities from an early age sets a strong foundation for their academic and personal success.

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Printable Logic Puzzles for Kids

Here’s a brand new set of worksheets to teach critical math skills: printable logic puzzles for kids! There are 9 puzzles varying from easy to intermediate to difficult. Each worksheet already has a data grid drawn out for kids to practice their deductive reasoning skills. They all also have an answer key – I was never very good at logic puzzles when I was a kid. So I appreciate being able to ensure students are on the right track without having to do each puzzle myself!

We have these puzzles and more in our Big Brain Teasers Book for Kids !

Beginner and Easy Printable Logic Puzzles for Kids

Intermediate Logic Puzzles for Kids

Difficult Logic Puzzles for Kids

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About the author

Founder and CEO of Woo! Jr. Kids Activities, Wendy loves creating crafts, activities and printables that help teachers educate and give parents creative ways to spend time with their children.

I am very interested in these logic puzzles, but the “Click To Print” button is not working for me. Would you have any suggestions as to why? Thank you!!

Hi Jessica – you need to have javascript enabled in your browser. Hope that helps!

Your logic puzzles would be perfect for some students I work with. Is it OK to reproduce them for students at a school as long as they’re attributed to you? Or would you limit the number of students I could use them with? Or? Thanks David

Hi David – we have free unlimited use for educational purposes. As long as you aren’t charging for the use, you are free to use them in your classroom as much as you’d like!

This is an awesome website. I wish there were more.

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25 Free Online Logic Puzzles for Kids

If someone asked me, “What is one topic every student needs to work on?” the answer would be logic. Logic is needed for all reasoning skills, from critical thinking to educated guessing. You may be wondering how to help your child build these skills, but don’t worry! There are many logic puzzles for kids that are made to develop logical reasoning, critical thinking and analysis, and creative problem-solving.  At A Grade Ahead , we even incorporate logic puzzles or games into our end-of-month Hands-on Activities in our curriculum ! To help you practice more at home (and maybe even satisfy your technologically-loving kids), we’ve compiled this list of games and logic puzzles for kids that are available online for free. Keep reading below for the full, updated list!

25 Logic Puzzles for Kids to Build Reasoning Skills

(updated for 2021), math logic puzzles for kids, 1. kenken (new).

The goal of a KenKen puzzle is to fill in squares with numbers without repeating a number in any row or column (Sound familiar? Cough… Suduko… Cough). KenKen puzzles sometimes include multiplication and division, so you do need a bit of math knowledge to complete these puzzles! There are some groups of these smaller squares that are separated by bold edges, called cages. If a square only has one number, fill in the square with that number. This will be the target number of the cage! If there is a mathematical operation with the target number, that means that operation must be used to get the target number. 

For example, if your target number is 36, there is a multiplication sign, and there are three squares in that cage, then the numbers needed will be 4, 3, and 3 (because 4 x 3 x 3 = 36!). The placement of the three numbers would be determined by which numbers can be used in each row and column according to the rules.

Puzzles to solve can be found here on the KenKen’s official website (plus, if you need a little help with the rules, the site also provides this great resource !). You can play them online here on the Smithsonian Mag website , too!  

2. Kakuro (NEW!)

If you like crossword puzzles and math, Kakuro is your dream logic puzzle! The puzzle has sharp edges and is actually the second most popular logic puzzle in Japan. There are numbers given in triangular shapes which are called “clues.” The goal of the puzzle is to place the digits 1-9 into the while squares to make a sum that equals that “clue.” No numbers will be repeated in an entry line. This is one of the logic puzzles for kids that does require students to be comfortable with adding, subtracting, and basic algebraic thinking skills. 

You can try them out at any of these great places: Karuros.com , Kakuro Conquest , or Kakuro.com !

3. Minesweeper (NEW!)

Minesweeper is a classic puzzle game, and it definitely deserves a place on this list of logic puzzles for kids. The puzzle begins with a blank grid. Some of these cells contain a “mine” that must be avoided. To begin the game, simply click a spot as normal. This will reveal either a mine (which means the game is lost!), a blank space, or a number. If a blank space is revealed, it will also reveal the other surrounding blank spaces. The squares with a digit inside show how many mines are adjacent (connected) to that square. To mark the cells that are mines, right-click the cell to place a flag there. To solve the puzzle and win the game, the solver must avoid clicking any mines by using the numbers as clues.

Play a kid-friendly themed minesweeper puzzle on  Google !

4. Make Me Ten (NEW!)

Make Me Ten is addictive, fun, and visually pleasing. It definitely feels like a game, but it actually will engage students in multi-step thought processes. The goal of the game is to combine numbers whose sum is 10. A number appears in the circle, and the player must click another number for it to go next to. Ideally, these numbers will add up to 10 and will combine to show the number 10 instead of two separate numbers. Otherwise, the player must think ahead and place it next to a number that it might be able to use. In the example from Word Games , the number to move is a 9, but there is no 1, so it would be placed somewhere in the circle. However, be strategic about placement, because the game is lost when the circle becomes too full.

If you succeed and all the numbers in the circle are ten, your goal will increase to 11, then 12, and so on.

But don’t worry! It still helps build logic skills!

 6. Strimko

The directions provided for it are not as good as I would like, but it is nice to have the choice of difficulty level. Kids can also check the solution to clarify how to play (but if they follow my directions above, they should be fine).

Each number indicates how many connections that circle has to have . Once a number has its max connections, an x will appear through it. All the numbers need to be crossed out in order to win, which requires strategy. Prepare to think with this one!

But don’t worry – this website provides varying levels of difficulty, so players can warm up before tackling the hard ones.

8. Nurikabe

This is another good planning and strategy game, and like Sudoku, expanding the size expands the difficulty level.

 9. Trees & Tents

This one lets kids choose the difficulty level and the size of the grid, so they can make it as hard or easy as they like.

10. Secret Number

In Secret Number, players get a list of clues – all the clues they need to guess the missing number. The clues contain mathematical terms like “product” and “sum,” which provides good practice for word problems, and using the clues requires the process of elimination, which is one of the main logic skills that students need. Students could even make it competitive by taking turns guessing.

11. TenPair

Instead of matching jewels or images on tiles, in this game, players match pairs of numbers that add to make 10 (like 2 and 8) or duplicate numbers (like 1 and 1). Pairs can only be eliminated when there are no other numbers between them vertically or horizontally (no diagonals). Also, the farthest right number of any row is considered next to the farthest left number of any row (in the example, the highlighted 4 could eliminate with the 6 on the bottom row – if the 5 weren’t there…).

Each game begins with a 3-by-9 grid as shown above, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. Once a player runs out of moves on this board and clicks “deal,” more rows appear below it. Eliminating all the numbers is a serious challenge that could keep kids occupied (and learning) for hours.

Word Logic Puzzles for Kids

12. rebus puzzles (new), funny funny words words words words, “too funny for words”.

Rebus Puzzles are a sort of puzzle that uses images, symbols, individual letters, words, and phrases to represent some sort other word or phrase. For example, as part of a rebus puzzle, the word “been” might be shown as an image of a “bee” plus a letter “n.” To solve these puzzles, students must interpret clues that may represent multiple things. It also requires students to bring in their previous knowledge because many of the solutions are idioms or common sayings. The puzzles may use homophones (words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings), like the example above. For a list of rebus puzzles, check out this link . Better yet, encourage students to play it in an interactive setting, found here .

13. The Classic Brainteaser (NEW!)

What goes up and down stairs without moving.

This list of logic puzzles for kids would be incomplete without the classic brainteaser, which are often called riddles! Who doesn’t love solving a riddle? These logic word problems usually involve “thinking outside of the box” in some way. This type of thinking develops logic and reasoning skills because it is so different from conventional solving methods. You can find them here , and you can sort by difficulty, length, and even type! 

14. The Self-Referential Quiz (NEW!)

This type of logic game asks questions about itself. For instance, the first question may ask, “What is the answer to number 2?” and the second question may ask, “How many answers in this quiz are the letter B?” and so on… These quizzes are able to be solved by close reading and using logic. Students must determine which quiz question can be answered first and figure out the relationships to all the questions and answers. You can find these at Brainzilla in various levels of difficulties. Or, try the original one created by Professor Jim Propp, who created The Self-Referential Aptitude Test as a prank or joke because only 1 of the 20 questions could be solved directly.

Practice close reading and critical thinking with an enrichment program!

15. Logic Grid Puzzles

Each Logic Grid Puzzle provides a story that is solved through filling out the chart and using the process of elimination. They’re basically word problems solved with logic (no math). That means that even while students are developing logic skills, they are also practicing skills needed for word problems and reading comprehension.

(NEW!) You can also try these puzzles out at a place called Puzzle Baron! Just set the grid size and difficulty measure. The clues and backstory are on the right side and easy to access.

16. Reverse Word Searches

17. Cryptograms

(NEW!) Try an image-based cryptogram style game called Code Breaking !

18. Word Twist

Check out real A Grade Ahead success stories!

Visual Logic Puzzles for Kids

19. thanksgiving dinner (new).

The object of this game is to place family members at Thanksgiving dinner around the table. The challenge comes from needing to place each person close to a favorite food and farthest away from the food he or she hates. Students can scroll the mouse over each family member and see that person’s likes and dislikes! This logic games makes students analyze the optimal seat placement of each person, so they must practice reasoning and ordering skills. The lighthearted theme makes it fun for students to practice higher-level thinking!

20. Nonograms (NEW!)

Nonograms, sometimes called picross or griddlers, are logic puzzles that involve coloring a cell in a grid or leaving that cell uncolored based on the numbers on the side of the grid. The purpose of solving this puzzle is to reveal a hidden picture! 

The numbers on the side and top tell you how many boxes are colored in a row or column. So if a row says “2 4 1,” that would mean the row has 2 colored adjacent boxes, then one of more boxes uncolored, then 4 adjacent colored boxes, then one or more boxes uncolored, then 1 box colored. The problem is that players are not sure of the location of the colored boxes… There could be one space between the sets of colored boxes, or there could be 7! That is where the column labels would come in.

Students must use the clues given in both the rows and columns to come up with a solution that reveals a picture. While solving nonograms, students will practice serious logical thinking, and even have a picture to show for their efforts! You can try solving nonograms here or here.

21. Entangled (NEW!)

The goal of Entangled is to make seemingly random lines into a closed, connected shape. This game gets kids practicing spacial awareness and problem solving skills. Students practice logic and reasoning while figuring out how many times to rotate each grid. The version above is from Word Games and it is super user-friendly. Students simply click each square to rotate it by 90 degrees, a ¼ way turn! Then, the puzzle is marked as solved when the closed shape is created. Each level gets more difficult by increasing the number of squares. 

22. Magnets

Combined with the shapes of the magnets, this lends a level of difficulty beyond regular match-and-eliminate games, requiring additional strategies and applying natural sciences, as well.

23. Lights Out

24. Netwalk

This is one logic puzzle for kids that could be appropriate for younger ages, too! It’s similar to Entangled (#21), but the straight lines and level choices are more accessible to all ages.

Practice more at an A Grade Ahead academy near me!

25. GridWorks

A colored square indicates only what color the shape in that space should be. A white shape indicates only what kind of shape should go in that space. The corresponding tools (colored squares and white shapes) can be used to track those clues, or you can track it in your head and place a colored shape directly. More complex clues can involve what isn’t in that space or even geometric transformations (like rotations and reflections). Students who excel at this will have a big advantage at critical thinking and problem solving!

What About My Younger Kids?

Younger kids may not be ready for some of the more advanced logic puzzles, but have no fear: there are still many options to get young children working on their logical reasoning skills!  Try these from the list above, and be sure to start them out on Very Easy, Easy, or Beginner levels when available. (Plus, we don’t want students to get the too hard mentality !)

Nurikabe  (#4)

Logic Grid Puzzles (#12)

Lights Out  (#20)

Netwalk (#21)

Prepare your Pre-K student for school with an enrichment program!

Well, that’s the end of this exhaustive, updated list! With 25 different logic puzzles for kids to choose from, students can mix and match puzzle games so that they can keep learning without getting bored. If your child still needs a little extra help with logic and reasoning, you can always consider an enrichment program .

Did we miss any? What logic-based puzzles or games do your kids like? We would love to hear any awesome logic puzzles for kids that have worked well for your family! Be sure to comment below to share with us.

Author: Elizabeth F., Writer and Teacher at A Grade Ahead  

Updated by: Brenna W., Writer and Blog Coordinator at A Grade Ahead

6 responses to “ 25 Free Online Logic Puzzles for Kids ”

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I believe you’re going to love the zebra puzzles as well, I’ve spent countless hours on these! https://www.brainzilla.com/logic/zebra/

i love the game of the 25-free-online-logic-puzzles-kids… thanks for sharing.

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Pattern Block Logic Puzzles

Logic puzzles help students learn to persevere through challenging tasks. These critical thinking puzzles will keep kids engaged while thinking logically.

How do you challenge your friends to persevere through challenging tasks? I’m always looking for ways to help my first graders to have a growth mindset in everything they do. Teaching growth mindset this year has made a HUGE difference in my students as I see them using self talk to solve problems and encouraging each other with the power of YET! Today I have a #growthmindset FREE resource to share with you at the bottom of this post!

I want my students to experience attainable challenges routinely. Math activities have become a perfect vehicle to do so.  In my classroom, I teach math in a small group setting. I’m always looking for evergreen activities that are rigorous, will engage my students, and are easy to prep and manage. While watching my students during social time I noticed that they were making interesting designs with pattern blocks and it hit me I could create some pattern block logic puzzles that would foster a growth mindset.

What I love is that students who are successful at the easiest level will push forward to try the next level, while some students will stay in their comfort level for a while before going to the next level of puzzles.

I also love that they have enough information that they can correct solve the tasks. I do include the answer cards so they can check themselves or get a hint if needed.

Level A puzzles indicate to students the number of pattern blocks and the color that they will need to solve the puzzle.

Level B puzzles indicate to students only the color of the pattern blocks so students will have to figure out how many of each color are needed to solve the puzzle.

These logic puzzles have stayed in my tubs for a long time now and my students are still so excited when it is their turn to go to the logic station. My teacher heart is happy when I see them get them out for inside recess!

If you are interested in trying a few, you can grab this FREE Pattern Block Logic Puzzles , just click on the picture to download. 🙂

[spacer height=”20px”]Check out the deeply discounted BUNDLE down below! [spacer height=”20px”]

or the SEASONAL MATH LOGIC PUZZLES BUNDLE[spacer height=”20px”]

I would love for you to comment below, what types of activities do you use with your students that are challenging but attainable?

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20 Critical Thinking Activities For Elementary Classrooms: Navigating Fact And Fiction (+Resources)

December 1, 2023 //  by  Seda Unlucay

With the barrage of mainstream news, advertising, and social media content out there, it’s vital for students to think independently and learn to differentiate between fact and fiction.

This series of critical thinking activities, STEM-based design challenges, engaging Math puzzles, and problem-solving tasks will support students in thinking rationally and understanding the logical connection between concepts.

1. Teach Students How to Obtain Verifiable News 

There’s probably no 21st-century skill more important than differentiating between real and fake sources of news. This editable PowerPoint bundle covers traditional media, social networks, and various target audiences and teaches students how to find verifiable facts.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

2. Watch and Discuss a Critical Reasoning Video

This kid-friendly video teaches students to break arguments down into claims, evidence, and reasoning. Armed with this lifelong learning tool, they will be able to make more informed decisions when consuming all types of information.

Learn More: Brain Pop

3. Complete a Critical Design Challenge

This science and designed-based classroom activity challenges students to find ways to prevent a falling egg from breaking. Pairing it with the classic Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme is sure to inspire many creative ideas.

Learn More:  Education

4. Critical Community Engagement Activity 

This community engagement activity requires analytical skills to determine what items can be recycled in the classroom and in their neighborhood. By creating recycling bins from reusable cardboard boxes, students have an opportunity to contribute to the environmental well-being of their community while practicing social responsibility.

Learn More: Kaboom

5. Develop Logical Skills with a Then and Now Activity

We may no longer use candles for reading or quill pens for writing, but can your students identify the objects that have replaced them? This activity engages their writing, drawing, and logical skills while giving them a chance to reflect on all the changes in our modern world.

Learn More: Education

6. Play a Critical Thinking Game

This active learning activity requires students to use their critical thinking skills to make comparisons and create meaningful analogies. The fun animal safari theme is sure to inspire many funny and creative ideas!

7. Develop Social-Emotional Problem-Solving Skills 

Through this lesson, students will understand that while conflicts are a normal part of life, it’s vital to have problem-solving skills to resolve them. This is also an excellent opportunity for developing their social awareness and relationship skills.

Learn More: ED Foundations

8. Desert Island Survival Game 

This classic game is sure to inspire student engagement, as they use their critical thinking skills to survive being stranded on a desert island. Students have to watch out for ideological assumptions and question ideas in order to determine the appropriate items to bring.

9. Play a Problem-Solving Treasure Hunt Game 

This exciting game for kids requires them to use key math skills to break a series of codes. With ample time, designated progress monitors, and sharp critical thinking skills, students are sure to find the hidden treasure.

Learn More: Twinkl

10. Use Writing to Increase Critical Empathy

This activity builds writing fluency while giving students a chance to show appreciation for each other. As they reflect emphatically on their classmates’ contributions and character, their base level of kindness and sense of ethical responsibility is bound to increase.

Learn More: Edutopia

11. Learn How to Make Logical Inferences

This activity for kids teaches the critical academic skill of making inferences from a series of texts. Students will surely enjoy playing the role of detective in order to draw their own logical conclusions.

Learn More:  Study

12. Think Critically About Cultural Assumptions 

This engaging activity for students challenges them to think critically about why people from a variety of cultures decorate their bodies. It helps them to break through cultural assumptions while comparing and contrasting the different forms of hand and body painting around the world.

Learn More:  Harmony

13. Big Paper Silent Reflection Activity 

After posing some open-ended questions, students silently write their responses with colored markers on large chart paper. After each group has circulated around the room, students can share their critical reflections and learn from the various perspectives of their classmates.

Learn More:  Slideshare

14. Watch a TED Video About the Socratic Method

Socrates is one of the forefathers of critical thinking, who focused on making his students thinking visible by questioning their logic and reasoning. The accompanying quiz and discussion questions are an excellent way to reinforce student learning.

Learn More:  Ted Ed

15. Brainstorm Ways to Help a Homeless Person

This lesson in civic responsibility teaches students about the causes of homelessness and guides them to find ways to help the homeless in their communities. It develops key problem-solving skills while building critical empathy.

Learn More:  National Homeless.org

16. Guess the Object Game

This video features a series of twenty zoomed-in mystery objects. Students will love using their critical thinking skills to guess each one!

Learn More:  Andy – The ESL Guy

17. Solve Some Challenging Math Brain Teasers

This abundant series of brain teasers is the perfect choice if you’re looking to test your children’s memory and problem-solving skills. Encourage them to use their knowledge of numbers to complete these tricky math problems that are not only designed to challenge your little brainiacs but are also compiled in an easy-to-use format.

Learn More: Mental Up

18. Complete a STEM Elevator Challenge

In this design and engineering-based lesson, students have to build a functional elevator that can carry an object to the top of a structure. It’s a terrific way to encourage cooperative learning while sharpening their problem-solving skills.

Learn More:  Georgia Youth Science and Technology Centers

19. Create the Perfect Farm 

There’s no better way to develop critical thinking skills than by solving real-world problems. This video encourages students to think about ways to feed a growing global population in an environmentally sustainable way.

20. Solve Logic Grid Puzzles

These logic grid puzzles will motivate students to use logical reasoning skills and the process of elimination to solve a series of clues. But be warned, they are highly addictive and difficult to put down once you get started!

Learn More:  Puzzle Baron’s Logic Puzzles

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Second Grade Thinking Skills & Key Concepts

Teaches beyond most state & common core standards.

Critical Thinking

Full curriculum

Components Sold Separately

Second Grade Thinking Skills & Key Concepts: Teacher's Manual

Second Grade Thinking Skills & Key Concepts: Answer PDF

• Paperback Book - $21.99
• eBook - $21.99

Description and Features

This highly-effective, standards-based, 160-page book is a research-based instructional program that teaches beyond most state and Common Core standards by:

• Improving children's observation and description skills
• Developing academic vocabulary
• Developing thinking skills that underlie content learning (describing/defining, identifying similarities and differences, sequencing, and classifying)
• Improving students' understanding of key concepts in mathematics, social studies, and science
• Students completing structured exercises to write sentences and paragraphs
• Carefully sequencing lessons to develop thinking skills
• Employing language integration techniques to teach thinking skills and key concepts

Academic Vocabulary Development The program builds academic vocabulary using these important concepts: describe, compare and contrast, and classify shapes, position, patterns, matter, water, weather, land forms, bodies of water living and non-living things, communities, our country. Observation Skills Observation lessons involve concrete examples using detailed photographs to develop observation skills. The student book provides activities that students may use to clarify their thinking and learning by peer and class discussion. Spatial Thinking Skills     • Describing Shapes – naming shapes, finding shapes to match a description, describing characteristics of a shape     • Similarities and Differences – matching and combining shapes, producing equal figures, figure completion     • Sequences – recognizing and producing the next figure in a sequence     • Classification – classifying by shape and/or color, forming classes, depicting overlapping classes     • Using positional and directional words

Verbal Thinking Skills     • Describing – matching a picture to a description, describing people, animals, or objects shown in pictures, part/whole analysis     • Similarities and Differences – selecting similar people, animals, or objects, explaining similarities and differences     • Sequences – ranking objects or people by a significant characteristic     • Classifications – explaining characteristics of a class, exceptions, sorting into classes     • Analogies – naming the kind of analogy or completing the analogy

Mental Models This book teaches the characteristics outlined in its mental models needed to describe or define a concept. How We Know It Works     • Increased scores on language proficiency and cognitive abilities tests     • Increased scores on normed or criterion-referenced achievement tests     • Proficient student writing     • Increased number of students placed in advanced classes and subsequent successful performance

Teaching Support This student book can be used with a free, downloadable, answer PDF ( get it here ) or with a detailed, 192-page Teacher's Manual which can be purchased separately . The Teacher's Manual provides instructions to teach the lessons using research-proven methods that promote students' thinking:  direct instruction, cooperative learning, whole sentence responding, and language integration activities. The Teacher's Manual physical book is in black and white, but the eBook version is in color.

Watch a short presentation on this highly effective product. View Online | PowerPoint | PDF

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This is a legal agreement between you (a single entity, company, or educational institution) and The Critical Thinking Co.™ for the software accompanying this agreement, which includes computer Software and associated Documentation. By installing this Software on a computer, you agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. If you do not agree to the terms of this agreement, promptly erase all copies of the software in your possession and return any Software packaging associated with this order within sixty (60) days of purchase to the place from which you obtained it for a full refund.

The Critical Thinking Co.™ hereby grants to you a non-exclusive license to use the software product identified above (the "Software") and the accompanying printed materials and User Manual (the "Documentation") on the terms set forth below.

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. The Critical Thinking Co.™ grants you the right to install and use this Software Product, provided that this software will be installed only in the quantity and for the computer system(s) indicated at the time of your order for the Software.

2. COPYRIGHT. The Software Product and Documentation are protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. Therefore, you must treat the Software Product like any other copyrighted material. You may not remove, modify, or alter any of The Critical Thinking Co.'s™ copyright or trademark notices from any part originally contained in or otherwise created by the Software Product, including any notices contained in the Documentation.

3. RESTRICTIONS. You may not modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or create derivative works based on the Software, or any portion thereof. The Software Product is licensed as a single product. This Software Product can be installed on a computer as a whole and shall not be separated in parts or disassembled to parts or pieces. You may not rent, lease, or lend the Software or Documentation to any other party without the written permission of The Critical Thinking Co.™. The License is in effect until terminated. The License will terminate automatically if you fail to comply with the limitations described herein. On termination, you must destroy all copies of the Software and Documentation.

4. WARRANTIES. The Critical Thinking Co.™ expressly disclaims any warranty for the Software Product. The Software and Documentation is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the implied warranties or merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. The entire risk arising out of use or performance of the Software remains with you. If media within this package is defective, remove the software application from your device(s) and return any software packaging associated with this order to The Critical Thinking Co.™ within 60 days of the date of purchase, and they will replace it at no charge.

5. NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. In no event shall The Critical Thinking Co.™ or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use this Software Product, even if The Critical Thinking Co.™ has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Because some states/jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.

6. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement represents the complete agreement concerning this license between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and representations between them. This Agreement may be amended only in writing executed by both parties. The acceptance of any purchase order placed by you is expressly made conditional on your assent to the terms set forth herein, and not those contained within your purchase order. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be reformed only to the extend necessary to make it enforceable and the remainder of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect. If you acquired this product in the United States, the laws of the State of California govern this Agreement. If this product was acquired outside the United States, then local laws may apply. Should you have any questions concerning this Agreement, or if you desire to contact The Critical Thinking Co.™ for any reason, please write to The Critical Thinking Co.™, PO Box 1610, Seaside, CA 93950-1610, USA; send a fax to 831-393-3277; send email to [email protected]; call 800-458-4849; or refer to The Critical Thinking Co.™'s Website at http://www.criticalthinking.com/ .

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Second Grade Critical Thinking

Second Grade Critical Thinking - Displaying top 8 worksheets found for this concept.

Some of the worksheets for this concept are The critical thinking, 81 fresh fun critical thinking activities, Grades 36 thinking skills activities, Critical thinking classic tales fables, Comprehension skills, Book review work for second grade, Second grade, Critical thinking in the language classroom.

Found worksheet you are looking for? To download/print, click on pop-out icon or print icon to worksheet to print or download. Worksheet will open in a new window. You can & download or print using the browser document reader options.

1. THE CRITICAL THINKING

2. 81 fresh & fun critical-thinking activities, 3. grades 36 thinking skills activities, 4. critical thinking & classic tales fables, 5. comprehension skills, 6. book review worksheets for second grade, 7. second grade, 8. critical thinking in the language classroom.

Spring Logic Puzzles | Critical Thinking Puzzles for 1st & 2nd Grade Math

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Description.

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These SPRING THEME LOGIC PUZZLES are perfect to challenge your little thinkers in grades K-2 and develop skills in logical thinking, problem-solving, making inferences, drawing conclusions, recognizing similarities and differences, AND comparing and contrasting. TOTALLY UPDATED! Now includes a version for Google Slides™.

HERE’S WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS PRODUCT:

• 42 puzzles in all!
• 6 Sudoku picture puzzles
• 30 matrix logic puzzles (12 three by three, 18 four by four)
• 6 Magic Square Puzzles
• Cards for Sudoku picture puzzles
• Answer keys for all the puzzles
• Recording sheets to record responses (Print version only)

To see a sampling of the puzzles, click on the Preview Download button!

This product is part of my Logic Puzzles Bundle, which you can purchase and save $$$.

OTHER PRODUCTS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:

Beginning Logic Puzzles Bundle

Solve for the Unknown – Spring Math Logic Puzzles

Birds on a Wire Logic Puzzles

HOW CAN I USE THIS PRODUCT?

In a Center: Print out the puzzle cards on card stock and laminate or put them in a dry erase pocket. Also, print out the solution cards so students can check their work. Also, print out the response sheets so students can check their work.

As a Morning Warm-up Activity: Project the puzzles on a SmartBoard, use an LCD projector, or use an ELMO. Print out the puzzles on paper and use them as a worksheet. Have students work individually or in pairs.

Think, Pair, Share: Print out the puzzle cards on plain paper or card stock. Give each group of students a puzzle to solve.

For Early Finishers: Have a folder of the puzzles in an early finisher center.

PLEASE NOTE: The digital versions of the files are store on Google Drive™and formatted as Google™ Slides. You will need a Google Classroom™ or Google Drive™ account to access these files. There is a PDF file included in the download with links to the three files. You will click on each link. A page will appear that allows you to make a copy of the file to your Google™ account.

I hope you enjoy these puzzles. Remember to always Keep ’em Thinking!

Susan Morrow

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Logic Puzzles & Critical Thinking Activities for Kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd Grade

What educators are saying

Description.

These logic puzzles for kindergarten, first, and second grade are the perfect way to help students practice their critical thinking skills! Meant to be done in a whole group or small group setting, these tasks allow students to collaborate, explain their thinking, and approach problems with an open mind. You can use these all year long!

This quick, daily practice allows students to come up with strategies to solve problems, recognize that there may be more than one way to solve a problem, and identify errors quickly while figuring out a new solution! These critical thinking activities are a whole lot of FUN!

In this unit:

This unit includes 200 logic puzzles, with 40 of each of the following:

• Odd One Out : students will recognize which object doesn't belong in the group.
• Combinations/Patterns : students will use spatial reasoning to combine shapes and make logical connections to continue patterns
• Analogies: students will work on vocabulary development and word relationships as they use one comparison to complete another
• Soduku/Magic Squares : students practice number sense and addition as they work to complete class Soduku puzzles as well as magic square puzzles where all the rows, columns, and diagonals must add up to the same sum
• Logic Puzzles: students will solve a variety of logic puzzles where they will read clues and use that knowledge to come up with a strategy and solve the problem at hand

Download the preview to try some free puzzles!

There are 200 full-page slides that can be displayed on a Smartboard or projector as well as a black & white printable version for students to print out and solve in a journal.

Please note: this unit is included in the SJT Math Club already. If you are a member, please do not purchase this as it is the exact same material!

Download the preview to see more! Enjoy :)

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Math brain teasers for kids

Sometimes keeping your students engaged during a (long) school day feels like a losing battle. How do you gain their full attention while teaching the skills they need to succeed? How do you turn tough and intimidating concepts into fun, entertaining lessons that actually spark life in the classroom? 

Brain teasers for kids are a great form of game-based learning that not only entertain children but also inspire some creative thought in the classroom. People of all ages can indulge in these playful — yet challenging — activities.

And some examples of when teachers might want to use brain teasers are on a bulletin board in the classroom, as a partnered activity to start a new concept or lesson, or during a rainy day indoor recess box.

We’ve gathered 45 examples of brain teasers for kids with answers, organized by category:

Table of Contents

Language brain teasers for kids :

Riddles ; Language associations ; Lateral thinking problems.

Math brain teasers for kids :

Math riddles ;  Pattern problems ;  Prodigy.

Visual brain teasers for kids :

Spot the difference ;  Rebus puzzles ;  Optical illusions ;  Stroop effect test.

Use the list below to find the perfect brain teaser for your class!

What are brain teasers?

Before you explore our examples, you might be wondering what brain teasers actually are.

Cambridge Dictionary defines a brain teaser as “a problem for which it is hard to find the answer, especially one which people enjoy trying to solve as a game.”

Brain teasers are a type of puzzle — and as the list below reveals, they come in many different forms. Often presented as a riddle, question or activity, brain teasers require a little extra brainpower to solve.

It's important to note that if you have any English language learners in your class, brain teasers for kids might pose a challenge for them. If that's the case, they might need you to walk them through the brain teaser more closely, or you can find ones that better suit their language level.

Brain teasers for kids differ from other complex or abstract problems because they’re usually done for fun. Although you can use them to analyze problem-solving and critical thinking skills, they’re often used as an amusing activity to encourage logical and lateral thinking , or thinking “outside the box.”

45 Brain teasers for kids

We’ve compiled a list of language, math and visual brain teasers to get your students thinking. Get inspired by the examples below — including answers!

Language brain teasers for kids

When you hear the term “brain teaser,” a riddle is likely the first thing that comes to mind. Riddles are perplexing — sometimes misleading — questions or statements that require creative thought to solve.

Riddles are usually fun, and plenty of them can add some humour to your classroom.

Enjoy our list of riddles for kids below!

a) Billy’s mother had five children. The first was named Lala, the second was named Lele, the third was named Lili, the fourth was named Lolo. What was the fifth child named?

b) Choose the correct sentence: “The yolk of the egg is white” or “the yolk of the egg is white.”

c) It’s as light as a feather, but the strongest person can’t hold it for more than five minutes. What is it?

d) The more there is, the less you see. What is it?

e) What gets more wet while it dries?

f) You can find it in Mercury, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, but not in Venus or Neptune. What is it?

g) It likes food, but water kills it. What is it?

h) What’s full of holes but can still hold water?

i) Which is heavier, a pound of feathers or a pound of rocks?

j) How far can a dog run into the woods?

k) You’re driving a city bus. At the first stop, three women get on. At the second stop, one woman gets off and a man gets on. At the third stop, two children get on. The bus is blue and it’s raining outside in December. What colour is the bus driver’s hair?

l) There are three houses. One is red, one is blue and one is white. If the red house is to the left of the house in the middle, and the blue house is to the right of the house in the middle, where’s the white house?

m) It’s at the center of gravity and you can find it in Venus, but not Mars. What is it?

n) What goes on four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening?  (This is from the classic myth,  Oedipus and the Riddle of the Sphinx )

o) What travels faster: heat or cold?

p) A man was walking in the rain in the middle of nowhere without a coat or an umbrella. He got soaked, but not a single hair on his head was wet. How can this be?

q) A cowboy rode into town on Friday. He stayed in town for three days and rode back out on Friday. How is this possible?

b) Neither. Egg yolks are yellow, not white!

f) The letter “R”

h) A sponge

i) Neither. Both weigh a pound!

j) Halfway. Once it reaches halfway, it’s running  out  of the woods.

k) Whatever colour your hair is. Remember, you’re driving the bus!

l) In Washington, D.C.

m) The letter “V”

n) A human. The times of day represent stages of human life. At the beginning of life, a baby crawls on four “feet.” As a person gets older, they walk on two feet. Later in life, a person will walk on three “feet” (two feet, plus a cane to help them walk).

o) Heat travels faster because you can catch a cold!

p) He was bald.

q) The horse’s name was Friday.

As a bonus, use these riddles to challenge preconceived notions and get students thinking about natural bias .

a) Two boxers are in a match scheduled for 12 rounds. (Pure boxing only - no kicking, UFC takedowns, or anything else). One of the boxers gets knocked out after only six rounds, yet no man throws a punch. How is this possible?

b) A father and son have a car accident and both are very injured. They are taken to separate hospitals for treatment. When the boy is taken in for an operation, the surgeon says, “I can’t do this surgery…. this boy is my son!” How is this possible?

a) The two boxers are women.

b) The surgeon is the boy’s mother.

2. Language associations

These brain teasers for kids explore the complexities of the English language. Use them to boost student knowledge of sounds, words, spelling, categorization and more.a)  Word association : find a word that associates with the following sets of words.

• Cake, swiss, cottage
• Glasses, screen, day
• Cream, cube, cap
• Knife, fly, cup

b) Find the mystery word . Replace the third letter of each word with a new letter to create a different word. When read vertically, the new letters will reveal the mystery word.

For example, the word MA K E could become MA R E, MA L E, MA T E and so on. It’s your job to figure out which one works to create the mystery word. 

Hint: It’s something you’ll find outside.

c) Find rhyming pairs . Unscramble the words below so that each pair of words rhymes.

• RBAE & HREAS
• WNROED & UTRHNDE
• TUGHAT & HBTUGO
• ODULC & ODOG

Mystery word: FLOWER

• BEAR (or BARE) & SHARE
• WONDER & THUNDER
• TAUGHT & BOUGHT
• COULD & GOOD

You can also use printable brain teasers for kids like this one:

Image source: Spelling Words Well

Answer: The “happy word” is SMILE.

3. Lateral thinking problems

Lateral thinking problems require creative thinking with an indirect approach.

These questions require logic and careful thought to solve. The most notable example of a lateral thinking problem is the classic Monty Hall problem .

Here are two examples of lateral thinking problems kids can try to solve.

a) The river crossing problem

Image source: Popular Mechanics

A farmer is travelling with a fox, a goose, and a bag of beans. During his journey, he comes across a river with a boat to cross it.

The farmer can only fit one thing in the boat with him at a time. If left alone together, the fox will eat the goose or the goose will eat the beans. How does the farmer get everything across the river safely?

b) The light bulb problem

There are three light switches outside of a room-- labeled number one, number two, and number three. The door to the room is closed and you can’t see in. All three switches are off.

You need to figure out which switch belongs to which bulb. You can use the switches however you want to, but can only enter the room once. How do you do it?

a) Here’s the step-by-step solution:

• The farmer brings the goose across the river first (if he leaves the goose alone, it will either eat the beans or be eaten by the fox).
• The farmer brings either the fox or the beans across and leaves the other one alone.
• Now the farmer has two items on the other side of the river, including the goose. If he leaves the goose again, the same problem will occur. So, the farmer must bring the goose back to the other side.
• The farmer brings the other item back (either the fox or the beans) and leaves the goose alone again. The fox and the beans are now on the other side of the river.
• The farmer returns and brings the goose across the river again.

b) Turn on the first switch and leave it on. Turn on the second switch for a few minutes, and then turn it off again. When you enter the room, one light bulb will be on. You’ll know it goes with switch one because you turned it on. Another bulb will be hot. You’ll know that goes with switch two because it was on for a little while. The bulb that’s off and cold goes with switch three because you didn’t touch it.

Like math puzzles , these brain teasers for kids can increase engagement with math content and inspire your students to work on math concepts and problems outside of regular lessons.

1. Math riddles

These riddles are just as amusing as the ones above, but they’re math-focused . Use them to give students some extra math practice and encourage resourceful thinking.

Math riddles

a) Divide 30 by ½ and add 10. What’s the answer?

b) A clerk at the butcher shop is six feet tall and wears size 10 shoes. What does he weigh?

c) A farmer has 19 sheep on his land. One day, a big storm hits and all but seven run away. How many sheep does the farmer have left?

d) Your sock drawer only contains 18 white socks and 18 blue socks. How many times do you need to reach inside the drawer and take out a sock to guarantee a matching pair?

e) You planted sunflower seeds in your back garden. Every day, the number of flowers doubles. If it takes 52 days for the flowers to fill the garden, how many days would it take for them to fill half the garden?

f) Using only addition, how can you use eight eights to get the number 1,000?

g) When Ashley was 15, her mother was 37. Now, her mother is twice her age. How old is Ashley?

a) It's 70. You’re dividing 30 by ½, not by two. Thirty divided by ½ is the same thing as multiplying it by two, which is 60. Plus 10 makes 70!

b) Meat. He works at the butcher shop, so he weighs meat for a living.

c) Seven. The riddle says  all but seven  run away, meaning there are seven left who didn’t.

d) Three times. On the third time, you’ll get either a white or a blue sock to match with one of the other two you’ve already grabbed.

e) It would take 51 days. If the number of flowers doubles every day, half the garden would be full the day before, on the 51st day.

f) 888 +88 +8 +8 +8

g) Ashley is 22. Her mother is 22 years older, so when Ashley is 22, she’s now half her mother’s age.

2. Pattern problems

These questions require students to identify a pattern before they can answer a particular question. Kids must use creative and logical thinking to find the answers.

4 + 4 = 168

5 + 5 = 2510.

b) What makes this number unique: 8,549,176,320?

c) Solve the pattern puzzle below. Find the missing number to replace the question mark.

Image source: Genius Puzzles

d) Solve the following:

Image source: AOL

a) The missing number is 3612. The answer is the number multiplied by itself and then the number added to itself. Six multiplied by six is 36, and six plus six is 12.

b) It contains each one-digit number, zero through nine, listed in alphabetical order.

c) The missing number is 17. Each number in the circle is the sum of the numbers in the opposite quadrant. In this case, the numbers are eight and nine — added together makes 17.

d) The answer is 14 (or 16), if you’re on the other side of the debate .

3. Prodigy Math Game

This math activity is a bit different from others on the list. It’s not a traditional brain teaser, but it can also be used as a fun, skill-building alternative to traditional math class.

Prodigy is a game-based learning platform that takes your students on an online fantasy adventure while they answer standards-aligned math questions. It’s engaging and effective at teaching necessary skills. 

Prodigy's free teacher tools help you differentiate learning, send assessments in-game and even collect student insights!

Visual brain teasers for kids

1. spot the difference.

This ever-popular activity might remind you of your own childhood — and kids still love it! Spot the difference puzzles require lots of deduction and attention to detail.

Here’s an example of a printable spot the difference activity.

Image source: Tim’s Printables

2. Rebus puzzles

A rebus is a visual word puzzle that uses lateral thinking to find its intended meaning. The word or phrase is depicted with a visual illustration, including letters and words. Students must think creatively to figure out the meaning from the clues they’re given. 

Image source: Wikipedia

Image source: Stack Exchange

a) Top secret

b) Think outside the box

Visit the link below if you want more fun rebus puzzles for your students:

3. Optical illusions

Get tricky with your students! Optical illusions use visual tricks that alter the perception of what you’re really seeing. Students will love trying to figure out what’s really going on in these examples.

a) How many legs does the elephant have?

Image source: Optics For Kids

b) Are the two squares different colours?

Image source: Brain Den

b) They’re exactly the same colour. If you place your finger over the spot where the squares meet, you can see they’re the same. Try this impossible paper puzzle if you want a more hands-on optical illusion. You can make one to show your class, then have students make their own as a fun brain teaser to show friends and family.

4. Stroop effect test

The Stroop effect was discovered in the 1930s by John Ridley Stroop. During the test, you’re given a list of colour names, with each word being a different colour than what they describe.

The test involves saying the colour of a word, rather than reading the word itself. Your mind must process the two conflicting pieces of information, which slows down reaction speed and requires careful thought to get through.

Image source: The Crafty Classroom

Benefits of brain teasers for kids

You know your students enjoy them, but did you know there are plenty of additional reasons to make brain teasers a regular activity in the classroom?

A study on the attention spans of six-year-olds found children who were given brain teasers were more attentive than those who were not — showing brain teasers were effective at boosting children’s attention spans.   

Brain teasers for kids can also:

• Strengthen problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Encourage lateral thinking and build new perspectives
• Improve cognitive abilities like memory and processing speed
• Inspire teamwork and communication
• Engage students and motivate them to learn
• Provide necessary breaks from traditional class work

How to use brain teasers in the classroom

In addition to their many learning advantages, brain teasers are a great way to break up the day and engage your students. Here are just a few ways you can use brain teasers for kids as a teaching strategy and maximize the benefits in your classroom:

• Engagement-boosting activity before or after lessons
• Bonus questions in assignments and tests
• Optional “free time” activity
• Encourage team building — split students into groups to solve them together
• Supplement lessons — choose brain teasers about the subject you’re teaching

Final thoughts on brain teasers for kids

No matter what subject or skill you want to focus on, a brain teaser is a great addition to traditional teaching methods. Plus, it’s something students will actually be excited to do.

Remember that brain teaser are designed to be fun for kids. it’s not about finding the right answer, but the mental exercise they get from trying to find the solution.

Use any of the brain teasers in this list whenever you need a boost of energy in your classroom. Bonus points if you can stump any adults!

Create or log in to your free teacher account on Prodigy – a game-based learning platform for math that’s easy to use for educators and students alike. Aligned with standards across the English-speaking world, it’s used by more than a million teachers and 90 million students.