We have a challenge a day for you throughout the summer break...
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Each weekday, from 18 July to 2 September, a new interactive 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 Interactive Summer Challenges 2022.
game
Phiddlywinks
Have a go at this version of John Conway's game. Do you have any good strategies for winning?
problem
Favourite
Number Balance
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you hang weights in the right place to make the the number balance balanced?
interactivity
Tangram Browser
Explore our selection of interactive tangrams. Can you use the tangram pieces to re-create each picture?
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
Number Lines in Disguise
Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
Some of the numbers have fallen off Becky's number line. Can you figure out what they were?
problem
Favourite
Carroll Diagrams
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Use the interactivities to fill in these Carroll diagrams. How do you know where to place the numbers?
problem
Favourite
Seeing Squares
Age
5 to 11
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
Matching numbers
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you find different ways of showing the same number? Try this matching game and see!
problem
Favourite
Matching fractions
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Can you find different ways of showing the same fraction? Try this matching game and see.
problem
Favourite
Coded hundred square
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
This 100 square jigsaw is written in code. It starts with 1 and ends with 100. Can you build it up?
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
Venn diagrams
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
How will you complete these interactive Venn diagrams?
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
Favourite
100 Square Jigsaw
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you complete this jigsaw of the 100 square?
problem
Favourite
Same Length Trains
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
How many trains can you make which are the same length as Matt's and Katie's, using rods that are identical?
problem
Favourite
Robot Monsters
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Use these head, body and leg pieces to make Robot Monsters which are different heights.
problem
Favourite
Your number is...
Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
Think of a number and follow the machine's instructions... I know what your number is! Can you explain how I know?
problem
Favourite
Remainders
Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
I'm thinking of a number. My number is both a multiple of 5 and a multiple of 6. What could my number be?
problem
Favourite
Dozens
Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
Can you select the missing digit(s) to find the largest multiple?
problem
Favourite
Four Triangles Puzzle
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Cut four triangles from a square as shown in the picture. How many different shapes can you make by fitting the four triangles back together?
problem
Favourite
Seesaw Shenanigans
Age
3 to 7
Challenge level
A group of animals has made a seesaw in the woods. How can you make the seesaw balance?
problem
Favourite
Largest Even
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
How would you create the largest possible two-digit even number from the digit I've given you and one of your choice?
problem
Favourite
Tables Teaser
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
How will you work out which numbers have been used to create this multiplication square?
problem
Favourite
Sort the Street
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Sort the houses in my street into different groups. Can you do it in any other ways?
problem
Favourite
Poly Plug Rectangles
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
The computer has made a rectangle and will tell you the number of spots it uses in total. Can you find out where the rectangle is?
problem
Favourite
Sizing them Up
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you put these shapes in order of size? Start with the smallest.
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?
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.
problem
Gathering Gems
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Using compass points, can you describe up to ten paths on this map so that you bring as many gems back home as possible?
problem
Favourite
Light the Lights
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Investigate which numbers make these lights come on. What is the smallest number you can find that lights up all the lights?
problem
Favourite
Growing Garlic
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Ben and his mum are planting garlic. Can you find out how many cloves of garlic they might have had?
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.
game
Favourite
Factors and Multiples Game
A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?
game
Ducking and Dividing
Your vessel, the Starship Diophantus, has become damaged in deep space. Can you use your knowledge of times tables and some lightning reflexes to survive?
