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.
The games are listed in approximate order of difficulty.
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?
game
Favourite
The Remainders Game
Play this game and see if you can figure out the computer's chosen number.
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
Last Biscuit
Can you find a strategy that ensures you get to take the last biscuit in this game?
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?
problem
Favourite
Connect Three
Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
In this game the winner is the first to complete a row of three. Are some squares easier to land on than others?
game
Favourite
Diamond Collector
Collect as many diamonds as you can by drawing three straight lines.
problem
crossing the bridge
Age
11 to 18
Challenge level
Four friends must cross a bridge. How can they all cross it in just 17 minutes?
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
Up, down, flying around
Play this game to learn about adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers
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
Standard Index Form Matching
Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
Can you match these calculations in Standard Index Form with their answers?
problem
Favourite
Multiplication arithmagons
Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
Can you find the values at the vertices when you know the values on the edges of these multiplication arithmagons?
problem
Favourite
Finding factors
Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
Can you find the hidden factors which multiply together to produce each quadratic expression?
problem
3D Treasure Hunt
Age
14 to 18
Challenge level
Some treasure has been hidden in a three-dimensional grid! Can you work out a strategy to find it as efficiently as possible?