Viewing entries in
TEACHER INSIGHTS

10 Super Fun Math Riddles for Kids! (with Answers)

15 Comments

10 Super Fun Math Riddles for Kids! (with Answers)

10 Super Fun Math Riddles and Puzzles for Kids Ages 10+ (Answers Included!)

A Post By: Anthony Persico

Some have been around for centuries, while are others are brand spanking new—but all have been selected as the most fun and engaging math riddles for those who love to challenge their problem-solving skills and have fun solving math puzzles. Enjoy!

SuperFun.jpg

The Educational Value of Math Riddles:

Fun and engaging math riddles and logic puzzles are an amazing way to get students to think critically, develop problem-solving skills, and think about mathematics in a creative way!

In fact, several recent studies have shown that students who work on math puzzles—with and without teacher supervision—improve their math problem-solving skills, learning abilities, and willingness to stick with challenging problems, according to Edutopia.

And if you are looking for a collection of super fun, challenging, and sometimes silly math riddles and brain teasers for kids, then it’s time to put your brain to the test!

Note that the following math riddles are best suited for kids ages and older and they are also fun for high school students and adults!

Are YOU ready?


10 Super Fun Math Riddles for Kids:

Each of the following math riddles includes an image graphic and there is an answer key at the end!

But if you want more detailed explanations of how to answer every riddle, check out the Math Riddles Explained! video link below and be sure to give it a thumbs up!

Watch the Math Riddles Video:


 

Free Worksheet Included!

Free Worksheet Included!

There is also a link to download a Free Printable PDF Math Riddles Worksheet and Answer Key that shares all of these riddles at the end of this post!

All of the math riddles, puzzles, and brain teasers below are from the best-selling 101 Math Riddles, Puzzles, and Kids Ages 10+! PDF workbook, which is now available!

10 Awesome Maths Riddles and Brain Teasers for Kids:

Math Riddle #1: Truth or Square?

Snip20200410_44.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve Truth or Square?

Would you like FREE math resources in your inbox every day? Click here to sign up for my free math education email newsletter (and get a free math eBook too!)


Math Riddle #2: How Old Is Lucy?

Snip20200410_47.png

Keep reading the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve How Old is Lucy?


MailingList_GIF_Banner-1.gif

Math Riddle #3: Triple Threat

Snip20200410_49.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve Triple Threat!


Are you looking for more super fun Math Riddles, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers to share with your kids?

The best-selling workbook 101 Math Riddles, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers for Kids Ages 10+! is now available as a PDF download. You can get yours today by clicking here.


Math Riddle #4: Matchstick Mayhem

Snip20200410_52.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve Matchstick Mayhem!


Math Riddle #5: The In-Between

Snip20200410_56.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve The In-Between!


Math Riddle #6: Which Weighs More?

Snip20200410_58.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve Which Weighs More?


Math Riddle #7: Big Spender!

Snip20200410_59.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve Big Spender!


Math Riddle #8: Mystery Parking!

Snip20200410_60.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve Mystery Parking!


Math Riddle #9: Cuppla’ Coins

Snip20200410_61.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve Cuppla’ Coins!


Math Riddle #10: Pascal’s Triangle

Snip20200410_62.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve Pascal’s Triangle!


Math Riddle #11: Bonus!

Snip20200410_63.png

Keep reading to the bottom of this page to see the answer key AND click here to see a detailed explanation of how to solve the Bonus Riddle!



ANSWER KEY:

  1. 14 Total Squares (detailed explanation)

  2. Lucy is 37 (detailed explanation)

  3. 1, 2, and 3 (detailed explanation)

  4. 0+4=4 or 5+4=9 (detailed explanation)

  5. A Decimal Point (detailed explanation)

  6. Neither. They both weigh the same! (detailed explanation)

  7. The hoodie costs $125, the shoes cost $25 (detailed explanation)

  8. 87 (flip the image upside down) - (detailed explanation)

  9. One is a quarter and one is a nickel (detailed explanation)

  10. 6 (detailed explanation)

  11. 1, 5, 10, 10, 5, 1 (detailed explanation)

Worksheet.jpg


Are you looking for more super fun Math Riddles, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers to share with your kids?

My best-selling workbook 101 Math Riddles, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers for Kids Ages 10+! is now available as a PDF download. You can get yours today by clicking here.


Did I miss your favorite math riddle for kids? Share your thoughts, questions, and suggestions in the comments section below!

(Never miss a Mashup Math blog--click here to get our weekly newsletter!)

By Anthony Persico

NewBlogImage.png

Anthony is the content crafter and head educator for YouTube's MashUp Math and an advisor to Amazon Education's 'With Math I Can' Campaign. You can often find me happily developing animated math lessons to share on my YouTube channel . Or spending way too much time at the gym or playing on my phone.

You Might Also Like…

 
BLUE_PIN.jpg
Riddles_Pin.jpg
NewNewPin.jpg
 
PurplePin.jpg
RedPin.jpg

15 Comments

5 Effective Strategies for Improving Your Math Warm Up Activities

5 Comments

5 Effective Strategies for Improving Your Math Warm Up Activities

MathWarmUps.jpg

Are your daily math warm up activities engaging enough to truly capture your students’ focus?

The most effective lesson-opening activities (engagement hook, anticipatory set, warm-up, etc) do two things: assess your students’ prior knowledge and build anticipation for the lesson ahead.

Achieving this goal requires a solid mix of fun and engaging strategies and activity ideas (and rarely relying on assigning routine practice problems).

For some awesome tips and activity ideas for how to improve your warm up activities and make the most of the first five minutes of your lessons, check out my brand new list of effective strategies:


1.) Show a Video Clip

Some math concepts are meant to be seen, and sometimes your students will need visual aids to help grasp complex mathematical ideas. By starting class with a short video clip, you are engaging your students’ ability to think about math visually—a mindset which will sustain throughout the remainder of the lesson, to everyone’s benefit.

Try It! Try using the video clip of Unit Rates in the Real-World below prior to teaching a lesson on solving word problems involving unit rates.

 
 

Would you like FREE math resources in your inbox every day? Click here to sign up for my free math education email newsletter (and get a free math eBook too!)


2.) Puzzles and Challenges

Engaging math challenges and puzzles are a great tool for giving your kids opportunities to have fun while problem solving and thinking mathematically at the same time, especially if you want to prevent them from growing bored of routine practice problems.

Try It! Try sharing this fun math puzzle with your kids at the start of your next lesson and watch your students’ engagement and interest skyrocket!

 
Fixed.jpg
 

Are you looking for more daily math challenges and puzzles to share with your kids?

My best-selling workbook 101 Math Challenges for Engaging Your Students is now available as a PDF download. You can get yours today by clicking here.


3.) Which One Doesn’t Belong? (WODB)

Instead of working on practice problems during a lesson's warm-up, students will be shown 4 somewhat related images and have to apply their reasoning skills to decide which of the images does not belong.

And here’s the catch….WODB activities do not have a single correct answer. The activity is designed to be interpreted in a variety of different ways in order to spark deep mathematical thinking and discussion (in small groups, whole class, or both).

Want to learn more about WODB and get more free samples? click here

Try It! Try using the WODB graphic below prior to a lesson on percentages.

 
Click here to get more free WODB graphics like this.

Click here to get more free WODB graphics like this.

 

Are you looking for more daily WODB? math graphics?

You can now share 101 daily WODB warm-up activities for grades 1-9 with your kids with our PDF workbook!


4.) Think-Notice-Wonder (Writing Prompt)

Writing about math encourages creativity, exploration, and communicating one's thoughts and feelings, which leads to deep and meaningful understanding of difficult math concepts.

Think/Notice/Wonder is a great strategy for getting your kids engaged in math writing every day.

Want to learn more about how to use TNW math activities with your kids? click here

Try It! Try using the graphic below before a lesson on solving equations.

GettyImages-514657035.jpg

Want more? Download 101 Daily Think-Notice-Wonder Writing Prompts for Engaging Your Kids

You can now share 101 Daily Think-Notice-Wonder Writing Prompts with your kids with our PDF workbook!


5.) Two Truths and One Lie (2T1L)

2T1L activities help your kids to develop reasoning skills, make logical arguments, express their ideas in words, and engage with visual mathematics—which ultimately leads to deeper and more meaningful understanding of challenging topics and concepts.

Try It! Try using the 2T1L graphic below to start your next lesson! 

 
BTS_2T1L.jpg
 

Looking to Share More 2T1L With Your Kids This Year?

You can now share 101 Two Truths and One Lie Math Activities for Grades 3-5 with your kids with our PDF workbook!


What strategies are you using to engage your kids during the first five minutes of class? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section below!

(Never miss a Mashup Math blog--click here to get our weekly newsletter!)

By Anthony Persico

NewBlogImage.png

Anthony is the content crafter and head educator for YouTube's MashUp Math and an advisor to Amazon Education's 'With Math I Can' Campaign. You can often find me happily developing animated math lessons to share on my YouTube channel . Or spending way too much time at the gym or playing on my phone.

 
pin.jpg
 

5 Comments