Primary Games and Puzzles for Summer 2021

We have a challenge a day for you throughout the summer break...

Each weekday from 19 July to 31 August, a new game or puzzle will appear on this page.

After you've had a go at the day's challenge you may be able to compare your approach to the solutions we have published, which are based on students' work.

You can also find Secondary Games and Puzzles for Summer 2021.

game

Train Tactics

A train building game for two players. Can you be the one to complete the train?

game

Favourite

Dicey Perimeter, Dicey Area

In this game for two players, you throw two dice and find the product. How many shapes can you draw on the grid which have that area or perimeter?

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Favourite

Dicey Operations in Line

Who said that adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing couldn't be fun?

problem

Favourite

The Twelve Pointed Star Game

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Have a go at this game which involves throwing two dice and adding their totals. Where should you place your counters to be more likely to win?

problem

Favourite

Four Go

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

This challenge is a game for two players. Choose two of the numbers to multiply or divide, then mark your answer on the number line. Can you get four in a row?

problem

A First Product Sudoku

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

Given the products of adjacent cells, can you complete this Sudoku?

problem

Favourite

Nice or Nasty

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...

problem

Escape from the castle

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

Skippy and Anna are locked in a room in a large castle. The key to that room, and all the other rooms, is a number. The numbers are locked away in a problem. Can you help them to get out?

problem

Favourite

Incey Wincey Spider

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

You'll need two dice to play this game against a partner. Will Incey Wincey make it to the top of the drain pipe or the bottom of the drain pipe first?

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Favourite

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

Favourite

Dicey Addition

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Who said that adding couldn't be fun?

problem

Favourite

Less is More

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Use your knowledge of place value to try to win this game. How will you maximise your score?

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

First Connect Three

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Add or subtract the two numbers on the spinners and try to complete a row of three. Are there some numbers that are good to aim for?

problem

Board Block

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Take it in turns to make a triangle on the pegboard. Can you block your opponent?

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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?

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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

Junior Frogs

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Have a go at this well-known challenge. Can you swap the frogs and toads in as few slides and jumps as possible?

problem

Favourite

Strike it Out

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.

problem

Favourite

Shut the box

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

An old game with lots of arithmetic!

problem

Favourite

Dotty Six

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Dotty Six is a simple dice game that you can adapt in many ways.

problem

Favourite

Tug of War

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Can you use the numbers on the dice to reach your end of the number line before your partner beats you?

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Favourite

Factors and Multiples Game

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

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Favourite

Countdown

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

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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.