Looking for Fun and Effective Problem-Solving Activities for Kids

[scottbrandon]

Hi everyone!

I'm searching for engaging games and exercises for children aged 6–10 that build logical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. I'm especially interested in problem-solving activities for kids that feel more like play than schoolwork.

Whether it's board games, puzzles, outdoor challenges, or group tasks, I’d love to hear what’s worked well for you.

Do you have any favorite resources, tips, or DIY ideas? I want to make learning fun while helping kids develop essential critical thinking skills.

Looking forward to your suggestions and experiences.

 

[scottbrandon]

Hi everyone!

I'm searching for engaging games and exercises for children aged 6–10 that build logical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. I'm especially interested in problem-solving activities for kids that feel more like play than schoolwork.

Whether it's board games, puzzles, outdoor challenges, or group tasks, I’d love to hear what’s worked well for you.

Do you have any favorite resources, tips, or DIY ideas on problem solving activities for kids? I want to make learning fun while helping kids develop essential critical thinking skills.

Looking forward to your suggestions and experiences.

thanks in advance for any help

 

[blamocur]

This one used to be my favorite on road trips when our kids were young: how can you pay 10 units if you only have coins of 2 and 3 units? Then change the numbers. e.g., I only have 7 units coins, and you only have 11 units ones -- how can I pay you my 20 units debt? And so on....

 

[logistic_guy]

I want to make learning fun while helping kids develop essential critical thinking skills.

$\displaystyle \bold{1.}$ Let them add numbers not in base $\displaystyle 10$.

$\displaystyle 1 + 1 = 10 \rightarrow$ base $\displaystyle 2$
$\displaystyle 5 + 3 = 12 \rightarrow$ base $\displaystyle 6$


$\displaystyle \bold{2.}$ Let them play with $\displaystyle \text{ip}$ addresses.

How can they tell, for example, $\displaystyle 192.168.100.255$ is a network address, a host address, or a broadcast address?
How can they tell which class this ip belongs to? $\displaystyle (C)$


$\displaystyle \bold{3.}$ Long division was one of my favorite games when I was a kid

You can also make the division more entertaining when you convert it to letters such as:



Let them even know how to divide $\displaystyle \frac{0.08}{1.1}$ without a calculator.

Let them know how to write repeating digits in different forms $\displaystyle 0.07272\cdots = \frac{0.08}{1.1}$.


$\displaystyle \bold{4.}$ Let them play with shapes
Let them find the area or volume for basic shapes. Eventually they will be able to derive the formulas for more complex shapes.

$\displaystyle \bold{5.}$ Let them know programming. For me it was one of the most beautiful games when I was a kid.

Tell them that the computer is stupid and we have to tell him $\displaystyle \cdots$ so that he can say Hello World!

The C language was my favorite.

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("Hello, World!\n");
return 0;
}

Eventually they will be able to solve math and other problems by programming.
Make a program that counts $\displaystyle \text{f}$rom $\displaystyle 1$ to $\displaystyle 10$.
Tell the user to enter the height and the base of any triangle, and give him/her the area of that triangle.
Let the user enter his year of birth. If he/she was born between $\displaystyle 2015$ and $\displaystyle 2025$, tell the user that:

You are my H E R O

 

[fresh_42]

Hi everyone!

I'm searching for engaging games and exercises for children aged 6–10 that build logical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. I'm especially interested in problem-solving activities for kids that feel more like play than schoolwork.

Whether it's board games, puzzles, outdoor challenges, or group tasks, I’d love to hear what’s worked well for you.

Do you have any favorite resources, tips, or DIY ideas? I want to make learning fun while helping kids develop essential critical thinking skills.

Looking forward to your suggestions and experiences.

I once had a little girl who proudly came from school and showed me how she could count backwards. I think she was six or seven.

As she finished, I asked her why she stopped. This was my lever to introduce her to the negative numbers. From there, it was a small step to even multiply with negative numbers. Kids understand a lot more than teachers admit them to be able to. You just have to find the right words. I think I even taught her how to draw negative roots. It was a game during boring car trips. and I guess she has forgotten everything before the subject returned at school, but tit worked.

 

[The Highlander]

Hi everyone!

I'm searching for engaging games and exercises for children aged 6–10 that build logical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. I'm especially interested in problem-solving activities for kids that feel more like play than schoolwork.

Whether it's board games, puzzles, outdoor challenges, or group tasks, I’d love to hear what’s worked well for you.

Do you have any favorite resources, tips, or DIY ideas? I want to make learning fun while helping kids develop essential critical thinking skills.

Looking forward to your suggestions and experiences.

Never mind the level of fun, get them onto Hit the Button so they know their times tables & number bonds before they get to high school!

 

[khansaheb]

thanks in advance for any help

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[R.M.]

If you're looking to build logical thinking and/or problem solving skills, try these:
1. brainbashers has a variety of logic puzzles in several difficulty levels. They also have an extensive visual illusion gallery and miscellaneous other fun things.
2. GAMES Magazine World Of Puzzles. It has a variety of word, logic, visual, and other puzzles in each issue. It also reviews board games, card games, and physical puzzle games.