List

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.

Train Tactics
game

Train tactics

A train building game for two players. Can you be the one to complete the train?
Dicey Perimeter, Dicey Area
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?
Four Go
problem
Favourite

Four go

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
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?
Nice or Nasty
problem
Favourite

Nice or nasty

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...
Escape from the castle
problem

Escape from the castle

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
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?
Incey Wincey Spider
problem
Favourite

Incey wincey spider

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
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?
Play to 37
problem
Favourite

Play to 37

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
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.
Dicey Addition
problem
Favourite

Dicey addition

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Who said that adding couldn't be fun?
Less is More
problem
Favourite

Less is more

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Use your knowledge of place value to try to win this game. How will you maximise your score?
Treasure Hunt
problem
Favourite

Treasure hunt

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you find a reliable strategy for choosing coordinates that will locate the treasure in the minimum number of guesses?
First Connect Three
problem
Favourite

First connect three

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
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?
Board Block
problem

Board block

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Take it in turns to make a triangle on the pegboard. Can you block your opponent?
missing multipliers
problem
Favourite

Missing multipliers

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
What is the smallest number of answers you need to reveal in order to work out the missing headers?
Junior Frogs
problem

Junior frogs

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
Have a go at this well-known challenge. Can you swap the frogs and toads in as few slides and jumps as possible?
Strike it out
problem
Favourite

Strike it out

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

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

Shut the box
problem
Favourite

Shut the box

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

An old game with lots of arithmetic!

Dotty Six
problem
Favourite

Dotty six

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

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

Tug of War
problem
Favourite

Tug of war

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

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

Factors and Multiples Game
game
Favourite

Factors and multiples game

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

Countdown
game
Favourite

Countdown

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

Got It
problem
Favourite

Got it

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star

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.

Stop the Clock
problem
Favourite

Stop the clock

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star

This is a game for two players. Can you find out how to be the first to get to 12 o'clock?

Reach 100
problem
Favourite

Reach 100

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star

Choose four different digits from 1-9 and put one in each box so that the resulting four two-digit numbers add to a total of 100.

The Remainders Game
game
Favourite

The remainders game

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

Board Block Challenge
problem
Favourite

Board block challenge

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star

Choose the size of your pegboard and the shapes you can make. Can you work out the strategies needed to block your opponent?

The Number Jumbler
problem
Favourite

The number jumbler

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

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

Seeing Squares
problem
Favourite

Seeing squares

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

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.

Fruity Totals
problem
Favourite

Fruity totals

Age
7 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

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

problem
Favourite

The twelve pointed star game

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star

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?

A First Product Sudoku
problem

A first product Sudoku

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

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