Secondary Interactive games and challenges

This is our collection of games specially chosen for use in the computer room or on the whiteboard. Each explores a strategic or mathematical theme; they will work well as teacher-led class activities but are also suitable for students to play directly, as they can all be played by individuals against the computer and none require direct teacher mediation. As with all of our games, players should be armed with a pen and paper to help to plan their strategies and record their findings as they play.

The games are listed in approximate order of difficulty.

game

Favourite

The remainders game

Play this game and see if you can figure out the computer's chosen number.

game

Favourite

Countdown

Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.

problem

Favourite

Treasure hunt

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

Can you find a reliable strategy for choosing coordinates that will locate the treasure in the minimum number of guesses?

problem

Favourite

Dozens

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

Can you select the missing digit(s) to find the largest multiple?

problem

Favourite

Matching fractions, decimals and percentages

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

Can you match pairs of fractions, decimals and percentages, and beat your previous scores?

problem

Favourite

Missing multipliers

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

What is the smallest number of answers you need to reveal in order to work out the missing headers?

problem

Favourite

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.

problem

Favourite

Fruity totals

Age

7 to 16

Challenge level

In this interactivity each fruit has a hidden value. Can you deduce what each one is worth?

problem

Favourite

The Number Jumbler

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

The Number Jumbler can always work out your chosen symbol. Can you work out how?

game

Favourite

Estimating angles

How good are you at estimating angles?

problem

Latin lilies

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

In this game you are challenged to gain more columns of lily pads than your opponent.

game

Favourite

Factors and multiples game

A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?

problem

Favourite

All in a jumble

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

My measurements have got all jumbled up! Swap them around and see if you can find a combination where every measurement is valid.

problem

Favourite

In the bag

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Can you guess the colours of the 10 marbles in the bag? Can you develop an effective strategy for reaching 1000 points in the least number of rounds?

game

Favourite

Vector racer

The classic vector racing game.

game

Favourite

Up, down, flying around

Play this game to learn about adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers

$Countdown fractions$

problem

Favourite

Countdown fractions

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Here is a chance to play a fractions version of the classic Countdown Game.

problem

Favourite

Shifting times tables

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Can you find a way to identify times tables after they have been shifted up or down?

problem

Favourite

Nine colours

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Can you use small coloured cubes to make a 3 by 3 by 3 cube so that each face of the bigger cube contains one of each colour?

problem

Favourite

Mixing lemonade

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Can you work out which drink has the stronger flavour?

problem

Favourite

Frogs

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

How many moves does it take to swap over some red and blue frogs? Do you have a method?

problem

Favourite

Charlie's delightful machine

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Here is a machine with four coloured lights. Can you develop a strategy to work out the rules controlling each light?

problem

Favourite

Square it

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Players take it in turns to choose a dot on the grid. The winner is the first to have four dots that can be joined to form a square.

problem

Favourite

Polygon rings

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Join pentagons together edge to edge. Will they form a ring?

problem

Favourite

Arithmagons

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Can you find the values at the vertices when you know the values on the edges?

problem

Favourite

Fractions and percentages card game

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Can you find the pairs that represent the same amount of money?

problem

Favourite

Magic potting sheds

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Mr McGregor has a magic potting shed. Overnight, the number of plants in it doubles. He'd like to put the same number of plants in each of three gardens, planting one garden each day. Can he do it?