This group of tasks, part of our feature The Problem-solving Classroom, exemplifies key problem-solving skills. For more information about developing children's problem-solving skills, see this article.
problem
How would we count?
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
An activity centred around observations of dots and how we visualise number arrangement patterns.
problem
Zios and Zepts
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
On the planet Vuv there are two sorts of creatures. The Zios have 3 legs and the Zepts have 7 legs. The great planetary explorer Nico counted 52 legs. How many Zios and how many Zepts were there?
problem
Snake coils
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
This challenge asks you to imagine a snake coiling on itself.
problem
Play to 37
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
In this game for two players, the idea is to take it in turns to choose 1, 3, 5 or 7. The winner is the first to make the total 37.
problem
Got it
Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
A game for two people, or play online. Given a target number, say 23, and a range of numbers to choose from, say 1-4, players take it in turns to add to the running total to hit their target.