A Blog About Parenting: Coping Skills, Behavior Management and Special Needs

Title Teaching Kids Problem Solving Skills and an illustration of a kid with a magnifying glass

25 Fun Problem Solving Activities for Kids

Problem-solving activities for kids : Explore 24 fun problem-solving games and activities, and learn effective tips and strategies to teach kids problem-solving skills. If you want to explore problem-solving strategies more in-depth, you can also grab our workbook “ Problem-Solving for Kids ” (printable resource).

Problem-solving is the cognitive process of finding solutions to challenges or complex situations.

A systematic approach to problem-solving tends to include defining the problem, gathering information and data, generating potential solutions, evaluating the pros and cons of each solution, making a decision, and implementing the chosen solution.

Effective problem-solving often requires critical thinking, a good dose of creativity, and the ability to consider multiple perspectives. It may also involve identifying patterns, breaking down a problem into manageable chunks, and applying our logic to develop solutions.

Problem-solving is present in everyday situations and across all fields: business, science, personal life, and education. There is not one single aspect in our lives where we don’t need to apply our problem-solving skills.

Table of Contents

  • Problem-solving steps
  • Development of problem-solving in childhood
  • Benefits of developing problem-solving skills
  • 10 Tips to teach kids problem-solving skills
  • 10 Examples of problem-solving strategies
  • 25 Problem-solving activities and games for kids

Problem-Solving Steps

Some key components of problem-solving include:

games to teach problem solving skills

  • Identifying the problem Recognizing and defining the issue or challenge that needs to be addressed.
  • Analyzing the problem Investigating and understanding the underlying causes, factors, and relationships related to the problem.
  • Generating solutions Generating potential solutions or strategies to address the problem.
  • Evaluating all possible solutions (Pros and Cons Analysis) Assessing the feasibility, effectiveness, and potential consequences of each solution. Considering the positive and negative aspects of each solution.
  • Decision-making Selecting the best solution based on our analysis and judgment.
  • Implementing the best solution Actioning our chosen solution
  • Monitoring progress and results
  • Reflecting on the outcomes Reviewing and evaluating the outcomes of the implemented solution, learning from the experience, and making adjustments if necessary.

Development of Problem-Solving Skills in Childhood

Children begin to develop problem-solving skills from a very early age, and these skills continue to develop and refine throughout childhood and adolescence.

Babies soon learn about action and reaction. And, as early as eight months, they begin to acquire an understanding of cause and effect (they shake a rattle, it makes a sound; they push a toy, it falls)

Between 13 and 24 months, they start solving simple problems through trial and error and engage in symbolic play using their imagination.

As children progress into middle childhood (ages 7-11), they develop more advanced problem-solving skills. They become capable of understanding multiple perspectives and can consider multiple factors when solving problems. They start using logic and reasoning to solve increasingly complex problems.

During adolescence (ages 12 and up), problem-solving skills continue to develop. Teenagers can generate and test hypotheses and use deductive and inductive reasoning to arrive at solutions.

Each child will develop their problem-solving skills at their own pace. Some children may show advanced problem-solving abilities at an earlier age. Others may require more time and experience to develop these skills fully.

Benefits of Developing Problem-Solving Skills in Children

Problem-solving skills in children are crucial for children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. It equips them to approach challenges, think critically, make informed decisions, and find creative solutions. 

The benefits of good problem-solving skills in children include:

  • Positive impact on self-esteem and confidence Identifying, analyzing, and solving their problems contributes to our kids’ sense of competence .
  • Fosters Independence and Autonomy When our kids are able to problem-solve on their own, they take one more step toward independence
  • Academic Success Problem-solving skills contribute to academic achievement, as they help students analyze and solve complex problems across various subjects.
  • Cognitive Development Problem-solving fosters cognitive skills such as logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and abstract reasoning.
  • Critical Thinking Problem-solving enhances critical thinking abilities, enabling children to evaluate information, identify biases, and make informed judgments.
  • Creativity Problem-solving promotes creativity by encouraging children to think outside the box, generate innovative ideas, and explore multiple solutions.
  • Emotional Resilience Problem-solving skills enhance emotional resilience by enabling children to manage and cope with challenges effectively, reducing stress and promoting well-being.
  • Improved Social Interactions/Relationships Problem-solving abilities contribute to better social interactions, conflict resolution , and peer collaboration, promoting healthy relationships.
  • Future career success Problem-solving skills are highly valued in the workplace and can positively influence future career success.

10+ Helpful Tips to Teach Kids Problem-Solving Skills

Teaching problem-solving skills to kids is an important part of their cognitive development. It helps them develop critical thinking, creativity, and resilience.

But how can we help our kids and students to develop this essential skill?

We can help our kids and students develop and improve their problem-solving skills in many ways.  These are some helpful tips that you could consider:

  • Model problem-solving behavior When you see yourself in a problem-solving situation, verbalize your thought process: “I wonder how I should address this issue. I guess my alternatives could be… They all have positives and negatives….”
  • Let them participate in the problem-solving situation “Could you help me solve this puzzle?”
  • Provide real-life problem-solving situations Real-life scenarios make problem-solving more meaningful for kids. For example, discuss how to resolve a conflict with a sibling or how to make the morning routine smoother.
  • Teach them how to break down problems Show them how to break down complex problems into manageable sub-problems.
  • Practice brainstorming Create brainstorming situations where all the family (or the classroom) can contribute to solving a problem
  • Teach the value of perseverance Sometimes, we must stick to a situation and persevere before finding a solution. Encourage kids to persevere through challenges and setbacks, emphasizing that mistakes and failures are opportunities for learning.
  • Encourage critical thinking Encourage kids to analyze situations, consider different perspectives, and evaluate possible outcomes.
  • How could we make your school lunch healthier but still yummy?
  • How could we reuse/recycle all this paper?
  • What could we do to help you remember all the steps in your night routine?
  • Encourage reflection When they can find a solution for a problem, don’t jump to solve it for them. Encourage them to reflect on the problem and find and evaluate alternatives. And after a problem is solved, think about the whole process and the learnings. “How did this work?” “What did you learn” “Do you need to change anything?”
  • Foster creativity Provide them with opportunities for imaginative play, creative projects, and brainstorming sessions.
  • Teach the value of teamwork Teach kids the importance of working together to solve problems. Engage them in group activities or projects that require teamwork and collaboration. This helps kids learn the value of different perspectives and work together towards an objective while they practice their communication skills.
  • Teach decision-making skills Teach kids how to approach problems systematically by going through the steps we have mentioned in our first section.
  • Encourage both structured and free play. Structured play can help you create good problem-solving situations, while free play will foster creativity.

Developing problem-solving skills is an ongoing process that will also continue in adulthood. Provide your kids with guidance and support, and celebrate their efforts and achievements along the way.

Examples of worksheet for kids on problem-solving strategies

10 Examples of Problem-Solving Strategies

There are different strategies that can help us solve a wide range of problems. Here are some commonly recognized problem-solving strategies:

1 . Trial and Error : This is the first problem strategy that we ever learn. We start using trial and error strategies in infancy, and it continues serving its purpose in many situations. This strategy involves trying different solutions or approaches and learning from the errors or failures until a successful solution is found.

2. Algorithm: An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or a set of rules that guarantees a solution to a specific problem. It is a systematic approach to problem-solving that follows a predetermined set of instructions.

3. Heuristics: Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that help simplify problem-solving by providing quick and efficient strategies. While heuristics can be effective in many situations, they may also lead to biases and errors.

4. Divide and Conquer: This strategy involves breaking down a complex problem into smaller, more manageable chunks or steps that make the overall problem easier to tackle.

5. Working Backwards: This strategy involves starting from the desired outcome and working backward to determine the steps or actions needed to reach that outcome. We often use this problem-solving strategy when we set goals.

6. Analogical Reasoning: Analogical reasoning involves drawing parallels between the current problem and a similar problem that has been solved in the past. By applying the solution from the previous problem to the current one, individuals can find a solution more efficiently.

7. Brainstorming: Brainstorming gets lots of brains working on the same problem. It is a great collaborative problem-solving strategy that can bring different perspectives and experiences to the table and may result in lots of creative ideas and solutions. 

8. Decision Matrix: A decision matrix is a systematic approach to evaluating and comparing different options or solutions. It involves creating a matrix that lists alternatives and the criteria for evaluation. It assigns weights or scores to each criterion to come up with the optimal alternative.

9. Root Cause Analysis: Sometimes, we need to understand what is causing a problem before we can attempt to solve it, as different causes may require different approaches (for example, when you are sick, your doctor may need to understand what is causing the problem before prescribing a medicine)

10. Simulation and Modeling: Simulation involves creating a simplified representation or model of a problem situation to gain insights and test different scenarios.

Our choice of strategy will depend on the problem, available resources, and our own personal preferences and circumstances. We may also need to combine strategies or apply different ones to different aspects of a complex problem.

Workbook for kids on Problem solving strategies

(Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. You can also read our Disclosure & Disclaimer policy  here )

Best Problem-Solving Activities for Kids

Play-based activities are centered around play and are designed to engage children in active learning and exploration. And fun problem-solving activities are a great way to develop children’s critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making skills.

In this section, we will review some problem-solving games and activities that will engage your kids’ critical-thinking skills and creativity.

1. Puzzle Games Puzzles are a fun activity for children of all ages. Young children will enjoy simple puzzles, while older children (and adults!) can have fun with more complex ones. Encourage them to use logical thinking and problem-solving strategies to complete the puzzles.

2. Crosswords A crossword is another fun type of puzzle and a good source of mental stimulation.

3. Sudoku Sudoku is a popular logic-based puzzle that involves filling a grid with numbers.

It can be extremely easy or very challenging, adaptable even for young learners.

Let’s go now for a couple of building challenges!

4. Build the Tallest Tower Give the child a set of materials (Legos, building blocks, wooden blocks, or other construction materials) and ask them to build the tallest tower they can. This simple game will encourage them to problem-solve as they build and figure out how to make the tower stable.

5. Build Towers with Different Materials Ask your child to build three different towers with different materials. Then assess how stable they are and how much weight they can hold. Analyze the pros and cons of using each type of material.

6. Treasure Hunt Set up a treasure hunt with clues leading to hidden objects or rewards. Children will have to follow the clues and solve puzzles to find the ultimate prize. This activity encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

7. Scavenger Hunt Playing Scavenger Hunt can be a fun way for our kids to put their creative problem-solving skills to good use. Provide them with clues and puzzles that they must solve in order to find the next clue.

8. Mystery Bag Fill a bag with random objects and ask children to come up with creative uses for each item. Encourage them to think outside the box and find innovative solutions.

9. Memory Game While memory games primarily focus on memory retention and recall, they can indirectly contribute to problem-solving skills by developing cognitive abilities such as attention, information processing, and adjusting their strategies.

10. Role-Playing Scenarios Create role-playing scenarios where children have to solve a problem or make decisions. For example, pretend to be stranded on a desert island and ask them to decide what items they will take and how they will survive.

11. Role-Play Social Situations Work in developing social skills with social problem-solving situations.

12. Brainstorming Sessions Choose a topic or problem and hold brainstorming sessions where children can generate as many ideas as possible. Encourage them not to limit themselves (even if alternatives feel unfeasible!)

13. Team Building Activities and Games Engage children in team-building games like building a balloon tower. Each team member will need to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve together to complete the project.

14. Escape Rooms An escape room is a super fun team problem-solving activity.

In an escape room, participants are locked inside a themed room and must work together to solve puzzles, find clues, and accomplish tasks within a given time limit in order to “escape” from the room.

15. Science Experiments Conduct simple science experiments that involve problem-solving. For example, in the classic “sink or float” experiment, children predict and test which objects will sink or float in water.

Problem-Solving Board Games

There are many board games that will test our kids problems solving activities. These are just a few examples:

16. Cluedo Players must solve a murder mystery by deducing the murderer, the weapon used, and the location of the crime. Players collect and examine clues to eliminate possibilities and make logical deductions.

17. Codenames Another classic game where players are split into two teams and must guess words based on clues from their teammates.

There are many codenames games available, including themes like Disney or Harry Potter.

18. Mastermind Game In this strategy game players take turns setting and solving secret codes

19. Scrabble Scrabble is a classic word game where players form words on a game board using letter tiles.

Kids must use their problem-solving skills to analyze the available letters, consider the best word combination and strategically place those words to score the highest points.

Learning Problem-Solving with Card Games

Card games provide opportunities for kids to develop problem-solving skills such as strategy, memory, pattern recognition, decision-making, and observation.

Just a couple of examples:

20. Uno Uno is a classic card game where kids match cards based on color or number. They need to assess their cards, strategize and make decisions about which cards to play to get rid of their cards while also considering the cards in their opponents’ hands.

21. Go Fish Go Fish is a classic card game where players try to collect sets of cards by asking other players if they have specific cards. Players need to remember which cards they have and make decisions about who to ask and what sets to pursue.

22. Coding Challenges Introduce children to coding activities using platforms like Scratch (or ScratchJr for younger kids), Code.org, or Tynker. Coding involves problem-solving and logical thinking, and children can create interactive stories, games, or animations.

23. Outdoor Problem Solving Take children outside and present them with challenges that require problem-solving, such as building a shelter using natural materials or finding their way through an obstacle course.

24. Problem-Solving Worksheets Help your child follow a systematic approach to problem-solving with these helpful worksheets

25. Goal-Setting Activities for Kids Learning to set goals and make plans to achieve them is also a problem-solving activity. I have several resources to teach kids about goal-setting that I will list below:

  • Goal-Setting Activities for Kids
  • SMART Goals for Kids
  • Goal Tracker Thermometer

Remember to provide guidance and support during these activities while encouraging children to think independently and come up with their own solutions.

Problem-Solving Worksheets

Problem Solving Strategies_Workbook for Kids

Looking for kid-friendly examples of problem-solving strategies ?

This workbook explores the following  problem-solving strategies  (with child-friendly examples and activities):

  • Trial and Error
  • Heuristics (Clever shortcuts)
  • Divide and Conquer
  • Working Backwards
  • Brainstorming
  • Decision Matrix
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Systematic problem-solving

Kid in a bubble that represents personal space and title "Personal Space Activities for Kids"

One Comment

I always look forward to your articles with active interventions. Thank you!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Develop Good Habits

17 Fun Problem Solving Activities for Kids

There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.

As a child, I would spend hours putting together puzzles… whether it was 3-D puzzles or figuring out a crossword. I also loved it when teachers would give the class an open-ended question and we had to work in groups to figure out the answer in our own way.

Even something as simple as playing checkers with my brothers gave me the chance to use strategy as a way to win the game. I honestly believe that it’s so important for kids to solve problems at a young age, as it helps them think critically and outside the box.

Table of Contents

So, Why Is It Important To Teach Kids Problem Solving?

I think these kinds of activities are so important for kids to do because it helps them learn how to think analytically and solve problems on their own. It's a great way to get kids to use their imaginations and be creative.

Rote memorization simply does not have the same effect. This type of learning is great for learning facts like historical dates, but it’s not going to help kids figure out how events in history happened and the results.

We take these problem-solving skills into college, the workforce, and travel . My ability to problem solve since childhood has certainly got me through many sticky situations while in a new city or country.

Additionally, problem-solving helps children learn how to find creative solutions to challenges they may face both in and out of the classroom . These activities can also be fun and used in cohesion with school or playtime.

17 Fun Problem-Solving Activities for Kids

1. marble mazes.

This activity was selected because it requires them to think spatially. Spatial learning will benefit kids when they start driving, riding a bike, playing sports,etc.

To do this activity in its simplest form, you will need a piece of paper, a pencil, and some marbles. First, draw a maze on a piece of paper using a pencil.

Make sure to create a start and finish point. Then, place the marbles at the start of the maze. The goal is to get the marbles from the start to the finish by tilting the paper and using gravity to guide the marbles through the maze.

Another example of a marble maze can involve using toilet paper rolls taped together to create a three-dimensional maze. The larger the maze, the harder you can make it.

games to teach problem solving skills

Check Price on Amazon!

If you are not into the DIY method, you can always buy a toy maze on Amazon. A good 48 piece puzzle is the Melissa & Doug Underwater Ocean Floor puzzle.

2. The Tower Challenge

Building a tower gives kids the chance to think about gravity, structure, and balance.

To do this activity, you will need some building materials like legos, blocks, or even toilet paper rolls. The challenge is to see how high they can stack the materials without the tower toppling over.

This can be done individually or in teams. An activity like this is good for younger kids and is the building block to learning about harder topics like engineering.

3. The Egg Drop Challenge

The egg drop challenge helps kids learn how to engineer a solution that prevents something from breaking. It requires them to think critically about which materials will best protect something fragile like an egg when dropped from a height.

To do this activity, you will need some eggs and various materials such as straws, cotton balls, bubble wrap, etc. The goal is to construct a device that will protect an egg from breaking upon impact.

This can be done individually or in teams . Teams can even have a competition for the best egg drop device.

As children begin handling, shopping for, and cooking their own food, activities like this will help them understand how to handle breakable items like bottles, eggs, delicate fruit,.etc. Ideally, this is best for age groups 8 and up.

4. The Penny Drop Challenge

This activity was selected because it requires kids to think about physics and how different materials affect sound.

To do this activity, you will need a penny ( or another coin), a cup, and various materials such as paper towels, cotton balls, etc.

The goal is to drop the penny into the cup without making any noise. Begin by placing different materials into the cup and then drop the penny into it. The children should also drop the penny from different heights into the same material to see if/how the impact from a higher drop affects sound.

Group kids into teams or let them try it on their own.

Kids should make note of what type of sounds are made when the penny hits different materials. This is a great activity for kids who are interested in science and physics.

5. The Balloon Race Challenge

This activity was selected because it helps kids learn about aerodynamics and Bernoulli’s principle . It also requires them to think creatively about how to design a balloon-powered vehicle.

To do this activity, you will need balloons, straws, masking tape, and markers. The goal is to design a balloon-powered vehicle that can travel a distance of at least 10 feet. Kids can begin this activity by sketching out their designs on paper.

After they have a basic design, they can begin building their vehicle from various materials. Then kids can explain why they think the balloon traveled or did not travel as far as it did.

6. The Marshmallow Challenge

Marshmallows are not only delicious, but they are also soft and malleable. So kids can have fun using it for some construction projects.

This activity was selected because it requires kids to think creatively about how to build a structure using limited materials. It also helps them learn about engineering and work as a team.

To do this activity, you will need marshmallows and spaghetti noodles. The goal is to build the tallest free-standing structure possible using only marshmallows and spaghetti noodles. If you don't have spaghetti noodles, use something similar like pretzel sticks.

You may even want to establish certain rules like each team can only use a certain number of marshmallows or noodles. A time limit can also make it more fun and challenging.

For more fun activities, check out our post on problem solving exercises for team building .

7. The Balloon Pop Challenge

If you remember your childhood, you probably remember popping balloons for fun at times. But this activity is different because it requires kids to use strategy and critical thinking.

This activity was selected because it helps kids learn about patterns and problem-solving. It is also a lot of fun for kids who like popping balloons. The goal is to create a device that will allow them to pop a balloon without using their hands.

To do this activity, you will need balloons and various materials such as straws, string, paper clips, etc.

8. Picture Pieces Puzzle Game

As mentioned earlier, puzzles are a great pastime – especially in childhood. Kids must think critically about how to put the pieces together to create a certain picture. It also helps them learn about shapes, colors, and other concepts.

problem solving activities | how do you teach a child problem solving skills | are problem-solving games good for kids

You can take a medium to large picture and cut it into pieces. If you have younger kids, you may want to make the pieces larger. However, if you have kids closer to the 8-11 age range, you should be able to provide a challenge and make the pieces smaller.

9. Copy the Block Model

For this challenge, you can build a model out of blocks for the kids to copy. Put kids into groups and make sure each group has the same number of blocks you used for your model.

Make your model block as simple or complex as needed for your child's age group.

Set a time limit and make sure each group starts at the same time.

10. Team Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is great for kids because they have to search for items and use investigative skills. It is also a lot of fun and can be done both indoors and outdoors .

To do this activity, you will need to create a list of items for the kids to find. The items can be anything from common household items to things you would find outside.

These types of activities can also revolve around a theme like a holiday, movie, or book. For example, if the kids are fans of “Harry Potter” you can make a list of items to find that are related to the movie.

11. Obstacle Course

This activity requires kids to think creatively about how to get from one point to another while maneuvering around obstacles. If you have outdoor space, this can be done with common objects such as hula hoops, cones, etc.

If you don't have access to an outdoor space, you can use common household items to create an indoor obstacle course. For example, you can use chairs, blankets, pillows, etc.

Begin by setting up the course and then timing each child as they complete it. You can also have them race against each other to make it more fun.

Obstacle courses are also great because kids get to be physically active while they are thinking critically.

12. Reading Storybooks

There are many great benefits for kids that read storybooks.  One of the excellent benefits is the ability to problem-solve.  When they read the stories in the books, they see scenarios that cause them to be attached to the various characters they read about. 

So, when they encounter a real-life problem, it is often productive to ask a child how their favorite character would solve that problem.  Your kids can also be encouraged to come up with various options and possible outcomes for some of the situations they may encounter. 

This not only helps kids solve various problems but become more independent as well. 

13. Ask Them Open-Ended Questions

A good way to improve a child's ability to think critically and creatively and improve their ability to solve problems is by asking open-ended questions.  It also helps them to develop healthy personalities .

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions.  In addition, the solution requires more than a simple “yes” or “no” answer.  Furthermore, it allows kids to put some extra thought into their responses. 

Here are some examples of open-ended questions you may want to ask. 

  • What did this experience teach you?
  • Was this easy?  What was easy about it?
  • What this difficult?  What is complicated about it?
  • What may happen next in this situation?
  • How did you come to this solution?
  • What, if anything, would you do differently next time?
  • What can we do to make things more fun next time?

14. Build Various Structures with Toys

Whether wooden blocks, LEGO blocks, or engineering blocks… giving your kid blocks to build whatever their minds can dream up is fun.  In addition, it requires them to think about how they will make a structure, put the pieces together, and creatively ensure the building's function and design. 

fun activities for kids | kids creative activities at home | fun activities for kids near me

You may also want to challenge them to build something more complicated and watch them use their brain power to make it happen. 

15. Acting Out Skits

Impromptu activities like acting out skits help kids identify problems, develop solutions, and execute them.  This process works with multiple kids being divided into teams. 

First, you will want to write down different situations, such as resolving a disagreement between siblings or dealing with bullying on the playground on a piece of paper.  Second, you will fold the paper and place it in a hat or bowl.  

Third, each team will pick a scenario out of the hat.  Finally, you can give the kids a few minutes to discuss their solution and act out. 

16. Solving Moral Dilemmas   

In this simple game, you will help your kids solve simple dilemmas they may find themselves in.  You could write down a situation your child may find themselves in and help them learn the moral way to solve the problem.   

For instance, “The cashier gave them an additional $5 change back on my purchase.  What should they do?”  Another scenario could be, “I saw my friend cheating on a test.  Should I tell on them or let it go?”  A third one could be, “I caught my friends stealing some gum from the store.  What should I do?” 

After writing down the dilemmas and placing them in a bowl, get each child to select one and read it aloud.  Finally, you will help them devise morally correct solutions to the moral dilemma. 

17. Animal Pairing Game  

This is a fun and creative game to help your kids with focus, critical thinking, and team building skills .  In addition, this activity requires an even number of players to participate (4, 6, 8, etc.) 

Before starting the game, you will want to write the names of different animals twice, each on a separate slip of paper.  Then pass out the slips of paper to each individual or team member, instructing them not to share with anyone the name of the animal they received. 

Then the children will perform activities the animals might do without talking or making sounds.  Some of these activities might include:

  • The way the animal cleans or grooms itself
  • The way the animal sleeps
  • The way the animal fights
  • The way the animal eats or drinks
  • The way the animal walks or runs

The goal is for each child to successfully pair up with the other child who has selected the same animal.

How Problem Solving in Childhood Helps in Adulthood

Children are not born with problem-solving skills. It is something that needs to be learned and developed over time .

From babies who learn how to communicate their needs to toddlers who figure out how to get what they want, to children who are starting to understand the consequences of their actions – problem-solving is a process that begins in childhood and continues into adulthood.

Some of the benefits of teaching problem-solving skills to children include:

  • Improved critical thinking skills
  • Better decision-making skills
  • Enhanced creativity
  • Improved communication and collaboration skills
  • Increased confidence

There are many ways to teach problem-solving skills to children. The activities mentioned above are just a few examples. It is important to find activities that are appropriate for the age and abilities of the child.

With practice, children will develop these skills and be better prepared to face challenges in both childhood and adulthood.

Final Thoughts About Fun Problem Solving Activities For Kids

These are just a few ideas to get you started on teaching your child crucial problem solving skills. Perhaps they’ve inspired to come with some of your own, or seek out others? The important thing is to make sure the activity is age-appropriate and challenging enough to engage the kids.

Problem-solving skills are important for kids to learn because they can be applied to various situations in life. These skills also promote critical thinking, which is an important life skill.

There are many other problem-solving activities for kids out there. In time, you’ll find the ones that work best for your child.  And be sure not to forget about your own needs and self-improvement, both of which will make you a better parent and mentor. Here are some useful activities for adults to get your started.

Finally, if you want to level up your parenting skills, then check out this resource that will show you how to get your kids to listen WITHOUT yelling, nagging, or losing control .

problem solving activities for kids | problem solving activities for students | games that promote problem solving for kids

Resilient Educator logo

ChatGPT for Teachers

Trauma-informed practices in schools, teacher well-being, cultivating diversity, equity, & inclusion, integrating technology in the classroom, social-emotional development, covid-19 resources, invest in resilience: summer toolkit, civics & resilience, all toolkits, degree programs, trauma-informed professional development, teacher licensure & certification, how to become - career information, classroom management, instructional design, lifestyle & self-care, online higher ed teaching, current events, 5 problem-solving activities for the classroom.

5 Problem-Solving Activities for the Classroom

Problem-solving skills are necessary in all areas of life, and classroom problem solving activities can be a great way to get students prepped and ready to solve real problems in real life scenarios. Whether in school, work or in their social relationships, the ability to critically analyze a problem, map out all its elements and then prepare a workable solution is one of the most valuable skills one can acquire in life.

Educating your students about problem solving skills from an early age in school can be facilitated through classroom problem solving activities. Such endeavors encourage cognitive as well as social development, and can equip students with the tools they’ll need to address and solve problems throughout the rest of their lives. Here are five classroom problem solving activities your students are sure to benefit from as well as enjoy doing:

1. Brainstorm bonanza

Having your students create lists related to whatever you are currently studying can be a great way to help them to enrich their understanding of a topic while learning to problem-solve. For example, if you are studying a historical, current or fictional event that did not turn out favorably, have your students brainstorm ways that the protagonist or participants could have created a different, more positive outcome. They can brainstorm on paper individually or on a chalkboard or white board in front of the class.

2. Problem-solving as a group

Have your students create and decorate a medium-sized box with a slot in the top. Label the box “The Problem-Solving Box.” Invite students to anonymously write down and submit any problem or issue they might be having at school or at home, ones that they can’t seem to figure out on their own. Once or twice a week, have a student draw one of the items from the box and read it aloud. Then have the class as a group figure out the ideal way the student can address the issue and hopefully solve it.

3. Clue me in

This fun detective game encourages problem-solving, critical thinking and cognitive development. Collect a number of items that are associated with a specific profession, social trend, place, public figure, historical event, animal, etc. Assemble actual items (or pictures of items) that are commonly associated with the target answer. Place them all in a bag (five-10 clues should be sufficient.) Then have a student reach into the bag and one by one pull out clues. Choose a minimum number of clues they must draw out before making their first guess (two- three). After this, the student must venture a guess after each clue pulled until they guess correctly. See how quickly the student is able to solve the riddle.

4. Survivor scenarios

Create a pretend scenario for students that requires them to think creatively to make it through. An example might be getting stranded on an island, knowing that help will not arrive for three days. The group has a limited amount of food and water and must create shelter from items around the island. Encourage working together as a group and hearing out every child that has an idea about how to make it through the three days as safely and comfortably as possible.

5. Moral dilemma

Create a number of possible moral dilemmas your students might encounter in life, write them down, and place each item folded up in a bowl or bag. Some of the items might include things like, “I saw a good friend of mine shoplifting. What should I do?” or “The cashier gave me an extra $1.50 in change after I bought candy at the store. What should I do?” Have each student draw an item from the bag one by one, read it aloud, then tell the class their answer on the spot as to how they would handle the situation.

Classroom problem solving activities need not be dull and routine. Ideally, the problem solving activities you give your students will engage their senses and be genuinely fun to do. The activities and lessons learned will leave an impression on each child, increasing the likelihood that they will take the lesson forward into their everyday lives.

You may also like to read

  • Classroom Activities for Introverted Students
  • Activities for Teaching Tolerance in the Classroom
  • 5 Problem-Solving Activities for Elementary Classrooms
  • 10 Ways to Motivate Students Outside the Classroom
  • Motivating Introverted Students to Excel in the Classroom
  • How to Engage Gifted and Talented Students in the Classroom

Categorized as: Tips for Teachers and Classroom Resources

Tagged as: Assessment Tools ,  Engaging Activities

  • Online & Campus Doctorate (EdD) in Higher Edu...
  • Degrees and Certificates for Teachers & Educa...
  • Programming Teacher: Job Description and Sala...
  • Math for Kids
  • Parenting Resources
  • ELA for Kids
  • Teaching Resources

SplashLearn Blog

10 Best Strategies for Solving Math Word Problems

5 Easy Tips & Tricks to Learn the 13 Time Table for Kids

How to Teach Number Sense to Kids: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Teach Decimals: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Teach Fraction to Kids – 11 Best Activities

How to Choose Best School For Your Kid: 12 Best Tips

Why Kids Get Bored at School: 10 Tips to Keep Them Interested

11 Best Writing Apps for Kids

Homeschool vs Public School: 12 Tips on How to Choose One

15 Essential Life Skills Activities for Kids: Beyond ABCs

12 Animals That Start With ‘E’: From Elephants to Eels

12 animal that starts with k.

60 Best Essay Topics for Kids: Nurturing Young Minds

How to Teach Sentence Structure to Kids: The Ultimate Guide

72 Best G words for Kids in 2024

11 Best Search Engine for Kids: Protecting Young Minds Online

How to Prevent Teacher’s Burnout – 12 Top Ways

46 Best Teaching Tools for Teachers in 2024

How to Teach 3rd Grade Kids: 25 Tips for a Successful Year

12 Best Online Tutoring Websites for All Grades

15 Best Problem Solving Activities: Foster Critical Thinking

Kids playing in the park

1. Rolling Dice

2. build a tower, 3. tic tac toe, 4. scavenger hunt, 6. activity books, 7. board games, 9. human knot, 10. open-ended questions.

Problem solving activities for kids are a great way to teach them how to think critically and creatively, and how to develop a growth mindset . We’re sure you must have also played many educational games as a kid that helped you develop critical thinking or problem-solving- skills you’re using even today. These activities can be tailored to be fun and engaging, and they help kids understand that challenges and difficulties are opportunities to learn and grow instead of things to be feared. 

By providing kids with problem-solving activities, we can give them the tools to develop their problem-solving skills and build the confidence to tackle difficult challenges, which will be valuable to them throughout their life. It will also help them understand that their abilities can be developed with practice and hard work, encouraging them to persevere through difficult tasks and not give up easily when faced with obstacles. If you’re looking for some fun and engaging problem solving activities for children to develop a growth mindset, we have curated a list of activities for you.

SplashLearn: Most Comprehensive Learning Program for PreK-5

Product logo

SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.

15 Best Problem Solving Activities for Kids

Kids playing in the park

Things you’ll need: A die or dice, some flashcards and a pen

How to do: You can play tons of different games with dice. Playing with two dice encourages kids to quickly add up numbers and learn math in a fun way . One fun game you can play with a single die involves flashcards. For this game, you can assign a category to each number on the die and when the kid rolls the die, they have to name any 3 examples from the category assigned to the number rolled. For example, if number 4 is assigned to animals and it is rolled, they will have to name any 3 animals. 

Things you’ll need: Building blocks, lego, toilet rolls or anything that can be stacked

How to do: If you’re looking for problem solving activities for 5 year olds, this is for you. To play this game, just give the kids anything that can be stacked on top of the other. This can be building blocks, lego, Jenga blocks, toilet rolls, etc. The challenge is to stack one on top of the other and see how high a tower they can build. This game can be played in teams or individually as well. 

Things you’ll need: A tic tac tow board or pen and paper

How to do: This is one of the most exciting problem solving fun activities for students. You can either play this game on a tic tac toe board or on paper. If you’re playing it on paper, draw a table so that you have 9 boxes. Now each player must choose X or O and try to make a continuous row of their chosen symbol. Whoever succeeds wins. 

Things you’ll need: Small toys, stationery items, or anything you want to include in a scavenger hunt

How to do: Assign the teams or individual players specific items they have to find in a defined area. This can be an indoor or outdoor activity for kids . Give them a list of the things they need to find, and you can also give them hints on where to find these things. Whoever or whichever team finds all the things first wins. 

Things you’ll need: A puzzle game

How to do: Get a puzzle set. This can be a regular cardboard puzzle or a wooden puzzle and ask the players or teams to arrange it. You can make this a timed challenge or just let the kids solve the puzzle in their own time and have fun. 

Things you’ll need: Activity books and pencils

How to do: This is one of the best problem solving activities for kids. Activity books are great for children’s problem-solving skills to develop. Buy them activity books containing games like find the element, what’s wrong with the pictures, or hidden picture books. 

Things you’ll need: Board games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly Junior, and Go Fish

How to do: Give them board games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly Junior, Go Fish, etc. These board games help kids to develop logic, think deeper, plan ahead and solve problems. 

Things you’ll need: A chalk

How to do: Build a maze with chalk on the sidewalk. Make sure you add a few dead-end ways to make it more challenging for the kids. Once the kid is able to walk through and come out of the maze, take the game to the next level by adding even more dead-end ways and see how they overcome the challenge. 

Things you’ll need: Just a playground or garden

How to do: This is a great group activity for kids that’ll also teach them lots of skills. Ask the kids to form a circle and raise their right arm up. Now ask them to reach out to someone standing opposite to them in the circle and hold their left hand with their left hand. Now ask them to raise their left hands up and repeat the process with their right hands. The objective is to entangle them completely and then ask them to detangle themselves without letting go of anyone’s hands. 

Things you’ll need: Pen and paper 

How to do: Once you’re done with an activity, ask kids open-ended questions. These are questions that have no right or wrong answers. Some examples of such questions are- “Did you find this activity easy?”, “What did you enjoy the most about this activity?”, “How would you make this activity more fun?”, etc. 

11. Wool Web

Things you’ll need: Balls of yarn

How to do: This is one of the most exciting group problem solving classroom activities for kids . Divide the players into equal teams and ask them to form a circle. Hand them over one ball of yarn each and ask them to make a web of it amongst the teams. Set a time limit for this step, and once it is done, switch the webs so that none of the teams has their own webs. Now the teams will decide on one player from each team to be blindfolded. This blindfolded player will have to untangle to web assigned to their team with the help of verbal instructions from their teams. The team that untangles the web first wins. 

12. Fingertip Hula Hoop

Things you’ll need: Hula hoops

How to do: Divide the kids into teams of 6-8 for this game. Each team will stand in a circle and then be asked to raise their hands up. Now, place a hula hoop on top of their fingertips and ask them to bring it down slowly and make it touch the ground without it falling down or leaving the fingertips. The team to finish the task first wins. 

13. Obstacle Course

Things you’ll need: Pillows, blankets, mattresses, cones, balls, chairs, etc. 

How to do: Build an obstacle course indoors or outdoors with whatever you can find. This makes for one of the most engaging problem solving games for kids. Ask your kids to cross the obstacle course as fast as they can. To make it a bit more challenging, you can also ask them to race against each other to cross the obstacle course. 

14. Memory Games

Things you’ll need: Playing cards

How to do: For this fun cards game, place all the cards face down and take turns to turn 2-4 cards. If you are able to open two similar cards (in number), you get to keep the pair. The player with the highest number of cards with them in the end wins.  

15. Impromptu Plays

Things you’ll need: A stage

How to do: This is one of the best problem-solving exercises for kids to play in groups. If you have a large group, divide the kids into teams of 6-8. If the group is smaller, just make the kids stand individually. Now make a few chits on a theme that has questions that form a difficult situation or a challenge. For example, you can put in chits with questions like “You just found your friend cheating in an exam. What do you tell them?” or “Your younger sibling just broke your favorite toy. How do you react?”. Each team must enact a scene that includes the situation their chit has. If the group isn’t that big, each kid must speak about the same chit but have different perspectives. 

Why Are Problem Solving Skills Important for Kids?

Little girls playing with sand

Developing problem solving skills is extremely important for kids as it helps them to navigate easily around difficulties later on in life. As adults, we’re faced with challenging situations every day, and without our basic problem-solving skills, we wouldn’t be able to survive.

Problem solving skills also help kids to make effective decisions. It helps them resolve problems all at once without reducing them to smaller problems. Once kids develop problem solving skills, it is easier for them to develop other skills as well like critical thinking, cooperation and collaboration with others.

Having problem solving skills helps kids to become more creative and think differently than others and enables them to become independent. These skills also help kids develop decision-making skills and build their confidence along the way as they take the right decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the 5 problem solving skills.

The five problem solving skills are identifying the problem, producing possible results that might work, picking one solution from these, applying the chosen solution and evaluating the results.

What are some examples of problem-solving skills in kids?

Some of the problem solving skills in kids are research, creativity, team-building, communication, active listening, decision-making, and analysis. If you find some of these skills in a kid, chances are they’re great at problem solving.

What is problem solving learning?

According to cornell.edu, Problem solving learning is an approach wherein students are asked open-ended questions about a certain topic, and they must resolve and answer  the same in groups.

At what age do children begin problem-solving?

According to a study by Shaffer , kids can start developing basic problem solving skills from the age of three. This further continues to develop as they grow.

What are three problem-solving techniques

According to deakin.edu , the three most basic problem solving techniques are defining the problem, listing out all the possible solutions, and evaluating the options.

games to teach problem solving skills

13 Best Black History Month Activities for Kids

24 Best Sensory Activities for Preschoolers

11 Best Common and Proper Noun Activities for Kids

Preschool

Most Popular

A working mom and her daughter in the bedroom, Mom is working while daughter is playing with her toys.

101 Best Riddles for Kids (With Explanation)

games to teach problem solving skills

15 Best Report Card Comments Samples

Good vibes quotes by SplashLearn

40 Best Good Vibes Quotes to Brighten Your Day

Recent posts.

Collage of animals that start with “E”

Math & ELA | PreK To Grade 5

Kids see fun., you see real learning outcomes..

Watch your kids fall in love with math & reading through our scientifically designed curriculum.

Parents, try for free Teachers, use for free

Banner Image

  • Games for Kids
  • Worksheets for Kids
  • Math Worksheets
  • ELA Worksheets
  • Math Vocabulary
  • Number Games
  • Addition Games
  • Subtraction Games
  • Multiplication Games
  • Division Games
  • Addition Worksheets
  • Subtraction Worksheets
  • Multiplication Worksheets
  • Division Worksheets
  • Times Tables Worksheets
  • Reading Games
  • Writing Games
  • Phonics Games
  • Sight Words Games
  • Letter Tracing Games
  • Reading Worksheets
  • Writing Worksheets
  • Phonics Worksheets
  • Sight Words Worksheets
  • Letter Tracing Worksheets
  • Prime Number
  • Order of Operations
  • Long multiplication
  • Place value
  • Parallelogram
  • SplashLearn Success Stories
  • SplashLearn Apps
  • [email protected]

© Copyright - SplashLearn

  • Trying to Conceive
  • Signs & Symptoms
  • Pregnancy Tests
  • Fertility Testing
  • Fertility Treatment
  • Weeks & Trimesters
  • Staying Healthy
  • Preparing for Baby
  • Complications & Concerns
  • Pregnancy Loss
  • Breastfeeding
  • School-Aged Kids
  • Raising Kids
  • Personal Stories
  • Everyday Wellness
  • Safety & First Aid
  • Immunizations
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Active Play
  • Pregnancy Products
  • Nursery & Sleep Products
  • Nursing & Feeding Products
  • Clothing & Accessories
  • Toys & Gifts
  • Ovulation Calculator
  • Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
  • How to Talk About Postpartum Depression
  • Editorial Process
  • Meet Our Review Board

How to Teach Kids Problem-Solving Skills

KidStock / Blend Images / Getty Images

  • Steps to Follow
  • Allow Consequences

Whether your child can't find their math homework or has forgotten their lunch, good problem-solving skills are the key to helping them manage their life. 

A 2010 study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that kids who lack problem-solving skills may be at a higher risk of depression and suicidality.   Additionally, the researchers found that teaching a child problem-solving skills can improve mental health . 

You can begin teaching basic problem-solving skills during preschool and help your child sharpen their skills into high school and beyond.

Why Problem-Solving Skills Matter

Kids face a variety of problems every day, ranging from academic difficulties to problems on the sports field. Yet few of them have a formula for solving those problems.

Kids who lack problem-solving skills may avoid taking action when faced with a problem.

Rather than put their energy into solving the problem, they may invest their time in avoiding the issue.   That's why many kids fall behind in school or struggle to maintain friendships .

Other kids who lack problem-solving skills spring into action without recognizing their choices. A child may hit a peer who cuts in front of them in line because they are not sure what else to do.  

Or, they may walk out of class when they are being teased because they can't think of any other ways to make it stop. Those impulsive choices may create even bigger problems in the long run.

The 5 Steps of Problem-Solving

Kids who feel overwhelmed or hopeless often won't attempt to address a problem. But when you give them a clear formula for solving problems, they'll feel more confident in their ability to try. Here are the steps to problem-solving:  

  • Identify the problem . Just stating the problem out loud can make a big difference for kids who are feeling stuck. Help your child state the problem, such as, "You don't have anyone to play with at recess," or "You aren't sure if you should take the advanced math class." 
  • Develop at least five possible solutions . Brainstorm possible ways to solve the problem. Emphasize that all the solutions don't necessarily need to be good ideas (at least not at this point). Help your child develop solutions if they are struggling to come up with ideas. Even a silly answer or far-fetched idea is a possible solution. The key is to help them see that with a little creativity, they can find many different potential solutions.
  • Identify the pros and cons of each solution . Help your child identify potential positive and negative consequences for each potential solution they identified. 
  • Pick a solution. Once your child has evaluated the possible positive and negative outcomes, encourage them to pick a solution.
  • Test it out . Tell them to try a solution and see what happens. If it doesn't work out, they can always try another solution from the list that they developed in step two. 

Practice Solving Problems

When problems arise, don’t rush to solve your child’s problems for them. Instead, help them walk through the problem-solving steps. Offer guidance when they need assistance, but encourage them to solve problems on their own. If they are unable to come up with a solution, step in and help them think of some. But don't automatically tell them what to do. 

When you encounter behavioral issues, use a problem-solving approach. Sit down together and say, "You've been having difficulty getting your homework done lately. Let's problem-solve this together." You might still need to offer a consequence for misbehavior, but make it clear that you're invested in looking for a solution so they can do better next time. 

Use a problem-solving approach to help your child become more independent.

If they forgot to pack their soccer cleats for practice, ask, "What can we do to make sure this doesn't happen again?" Let them try to develop some solutions on their own.

Kids often develop creative solutions. So they might say, "I'll write a note and stick it on my door so I'll remember to pack them before I leave," or "I'll pack my bag the night before and I'll keep a checklist to remind me what needs to go in my bag." 

Provide plenty of praise when your child practices their problem-solving skills.  

Allow for Natural Consequences

Natural consequences  may also teach problem-solving skills. So when it's appropriate, allow your child to face the natural consequences of their action. Just make sure it's safe to do so. 

For example, let your teenager spend all of their money during the first 10 minutes you're at an amusement park if that's what they want. Then, let them go for the rest of the day without any spending money.

This can lead to a discussion about problem-solving to help them make a better choice next time. Consider these natural consequences as a teachable moment to help work together on problem-solving.

Becker-Weidman EG, Jacobs RH, Reinecke MA, Silva SG, March JS. Social problem-solving among adolescents treated for depression . Behav Res Ther . 2010;48(1):11-18. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2009.08.006

Pakarinen E, Kiuru N, Lerkkanen M-K, Poikkeus A-M, Ahonen T, Nurmi J-E. Instructional support predicts childrens task avoidance in kindergarten .  Early Child Res Q . 2011;26(3):376-386. doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2010.11.003

Schell A, Albers L, von Kries R, Hillenbrand C, Hennemann T. Preventing behavioral disorders via supporting social and emotional competence at preschool age .  Dtsch Arztebl Int . 2015;112(39):647–654. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2015.0647

Cheng SC, She HC, Huang LY. The impact of problem-solving instruction on middle school students’ physical science learning: Interplays of knowledge, reasoning, and problem solving . EJMSTE . 2018;14(3):731-743.

Vlachou A, Stavroussi P. Promoting social inclusion: A structured intervention for enhancing interpersonal problem‐solving skills in children with mild intellectual disabilities . Support Learn . 2016;31(1):27-45. doi:10.1111/1467-9604.12112

Öğülmüş S, Kargı E. The interpersonal cognitive problem solving approach for preschoolers .  Turkish J Educ . 2015;4(17347):19-28. doi:10.19128/turje.181093

American Academy of Pediatrics. What's the best way to discipline my child? .

Kashani-Vahid L, Afrooz G, Shokoohi-Yekta M, Kharrazi K, Ghobari B. Can a creative interpersonal problem solving program improve creative thinking in gifted elementary students? .  Think Skills Creat . 2017;24:175-185. doi:10.1016/j.tsc.2017.02.011

Shokoohi-Yekta M, Malayeri SA. Effects of advanced parenting training on children's behavioral problems and family problem solving .  Procedia Soc Behav Sci . 2015;205:676-680. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.09.106

By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, an international bestselling author of books on mental strength and host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. She delivered one of the most popular TEDx talks of all time.

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

10 Problem Solving Games for Kids

Playing board games is one of the best ways to spend time with your children. Why? Board games offer ample ways for kids to build their brains. Not only does playing games with your children improve family relationships and give opportunities for caring adults to help nurture good sportsmanship but the best games build kids' critical thinking and problem solving skills.

black and white checkers board

Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.

We've composed a list of problem solving games for kids that help develop the following critical skills:

  • Advance planning - what steps do you need to make in order to reach your goal?
  • Decision making - evaluating the benefits of multiple choices
  • Drawing conclusions and inference - how will your opponent respond to your choice?
  • Reevaluation - how you respond when the result is unexpected

Games work on all these skills while also being fun. What could be better? Here are our favorite 10 problem solving games for kids and families!

A note regarding age recommendations. I've included the manufacturer's recommendation, but most games can be played with younger kids, provided an adult is at the ready to assist.

Battle sheep game tiles

BATTLE SHEEP

Every time you play Battle Sheep the playing space is different! That's because players start with 4 pasture boards that they take turns placing down to create the playing field. Kids are using advance planning and reevaluation right off the bat! Each player begins with 16 sheep and aims towards occupying as many pastures as they can. Players must chose between placing sheep or strategically blocking their opponents. We love this game that engages players' abstract thinking, strategic, and visual perception skills. Ages 7 and up. 2-4 players.

Find it: Amazon

Tsuro game of the path board, box and pieces

The board changes every time you play, keeping players on their toes and constantly reassessing their strategy. Players use tiles to create paths along which they move their tokens. The objective is to create paths in such a way that keep you moving but force your opponents off the board. Players must anticipate other's moves and problem solve in order accomplish both goals. Tsuro is also surprisingly easy to learn! Ages 8 and up. 2-8 players.

MORE : Our favorite tile-based games

Labyrinth board game box with game boards and pieces

Players make their way through an ever-shifting maze in pursuit of treasure. Each player begins with a set number of treasure cards and the player who collects all their treasure first, wins. The board consists of moving panels and on their turn, a player shifts the panels in an effort to further their own progress or hinder that of others. Ages 7 and up. 2-4 players

Kingdomino tiles and game pieces

Kingdomino is a tile placing game in which players must make choices regarding how to build their kingdom. The objective of the game is to score as many points as possible by matching tiles based on terrain. But some terrains score more than others. Players must decide if they want to build a lot of low scoring terrains, or fewer high-scoring terrains. Your tile choice also affects the order of play for the next round so it's important to be thoughtful. We've throughly enjoyed this game. An expansion pack is available. Ages 8 and up. 2-4 players

Find it: Kingdomino | Expansion pack | Queendomino

Photosynthesis game board with tree tokens laid out

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Photosynthesis from Blue Orange Games has an environmental theme. Players focus on growing trees through their life cycle from seed to maturity. Players strategize to "plant" their seeds where they will receive the most light, without being blocked in the future by other, maturing, trees. Successful game play requires planning and analysis. The artwork is beautiful and adds to the unique game play. We have enjoyed playing this game! Ages 8 and up. 2-4 players.

Azul game board and tiles

Azul's stunningly colorful game design was inspired by azulejos , a type of decorated ceramic tile introduced to Spain by the Moors and made popular in Portugal by King Manuel I. Players transform into tile laying artists, and must strategize over three phases of game play: choosing tiles, laying them and prepping for the next round. The object is to collect the most points by creating lines of 5 consecutive tiles. Each line of tiles must contain only one of each type of tile. The game ends when one player has completed a row, but that player is not necessarily the winner. Strategic problem solving and planning are required because players can lose points in the wall-tiling phase for any remaining, unused tiles. Ages 8 and up. 2-4 players.

Gobblet game board and wooden pieces

Gobblet looks like Tic Tac Toe but players have large, medium and small pieces that nestle inside each other like Russian dolls. Players attempt to get four in a row by "gobbling" up smaller pieces. The game relies on advance planning, anticipating your opponent's moves and memory skills since you have to remember which Gobblets have been gobbled without peeking! Ages 7 and up. 2 players. A version for ages 5 and up is available as Gobblet Gobblers.

Find it: Gobblet | Gobblet Gobblers

Cat Crimes single player game from ThinkFun

LOGIC GAMES

Logic games are the ultimate problem solving entertainment! We love single player logic games and probably own an unhealthy number of these brain boosting puzzle games.

The following are some of our top favorites:

  • Cat Crimes , ages 8 and up ( pictured above ) - see it as our game of the month feature
  • Code Master , ages 8 and up - see it as our game of the month feature
  • Castle Logix , ages 3 and up - see it as our game of the month feature

wooden Mancala board with marbles

Mancala is a classic game every family should have. The board has two rows of depressions, plus end "home" bowls. The goal is to transfer the most stones from the rows into your home. A set of rules govern how you deposit and capture stones. You must use strategy to capture stones and ensure you do not leave them vulnerable to your opponent's greedy, greedy paws. Playing Mancala improves memory and observation skills. You must engage your strategic thinking skills to make sure you don't inadvertently give your opponent the opportunity to thwart you. Ages 8 and up. 2 players.

Clue game box and game board

There's a reason the classic detective board game, Clue, remains so popular. I loved it when I was a kid and I bet you did, too. Players race to be the first person to solve the mystery of the who, what and where of a murder. Clue requires deductive reasoning and logic skills to narrow down the possibilities. Players must also vigilantly observe the actions of other players to help them make logical decisions. Ages 8 and up, 2-6 players ( much better with 3 or more players ).

  • 6 games that improve visual perception
  • Best award-winning games for each ages
  • 12 best family games for all ages and skill levels

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

games to teach problem solving skills

  • How To Get Pregnant
  • Infertility
  • Pregnancy Week by Week
  • Second Pregnancy
  • Giving Birth
  • Post Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Development
  • Browse Names
  • Play & Activities
  • Coloring Pages
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Health & Fitness
  • Style & Beauty Care
  • Collaborations
  • New Parents
  • Single Parenting
  • Relationships
  • Baby Eye Color Calculator
  • Online Pregnancy Test
  • Chinese Gender Predictor
  • Implantation Calculator
  • hCG Calculator
  • Period Calculator
  • ovulation calculator
  • pregnancy due date calculator
  • Child Height Predictor
  • Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator
  • Breast Milk Calculator
  • Child Growth Percentile Calculator
  • Baby Cost Calculator
  • BMI Calculator For Kids & Teens
  • Contraction Calculator
  • Immunization Scheduler and Chart
  • C-Section Checklist
  • Online Twin Pregnancy Quiz
  • Numerology calculator
  • Child Blood Type Calculator
  • Nakshatra Calculator
  • Diaper Bag Checklist
  • Baby Name Combiner

Home • Kid • Development

15 Fun Activities To Teach Problem Solving To Kids

Problem-solving skills help children efficiently manage difficult moments in their lives.

Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, popularly referred to as ‘The Celebrity Shrink,’ is an award-winning neuro-psychiatrist and mental health advocate with over 15 years experience.She is the medical director and psychiatrist-in-chief at Pin... more

Advaitaa is a digital marketing and content writing specialist with around seven years of experience. She’s worked on a variety of genres including travel, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and health and w... more

Harshita is a graduate in commerce and holds a PG Diploma in Patent and Copyrights Law from NALSAR University. She has also pursued CA and has more than three years of internship experience in auditin... more

Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing... more

Image: Shutterstock

Children receive numerous opportunities to learn about the world as they get older. However, they also regularly encounter problems, whether it is peer pressure, difficult arithmetic calculations, or disagreements with their peers. The benefits of problem-solving skills for kids are numerous and can help them effectively deal with such situations.

They will learn to find practical solutions independently without relying on an adult. Further, when they encounter difficulties, they will be more confident in their ability to employ their problem-solving skills and develop innovative solutions on their own.

Read this post to know the importance of problem-solving abilities for children, how to inculcate this skill in them, and for some exercises to help them develop this essential skill.

Importance Of Problem-Solving Skills For Kids

Problem-solving benefits children in numerous ways. It helps them

  • Cope with challenges in everyday life.
  • Make effective decisions.
  • Pick up other skills, such as cooperation , critical thinking, and collaboration along the way.
  • Resolve problems without breaking them down.
  • Think outside the box.
  • Become more independent.

How To Inculcate Problem-Solving Skills In Children

Here are a few ways to encourage your child to utilize their problem-solving skills.

1. Test it out

Whenever your child encounters a problem, ask them to acknowledge it and embrace the challenge. It will help hone their analytical and reasoning skills. If the outcome is ineffective, they can try different brainstorming approaches to find a practical and effective solution. It will nudge your child’s creativity and encourage them to look at problems from different angles.

2. Ask for advice

Sometimes, you may struggle to make decisions in your everyday life. For instance, you might struggle to decide what to cook for dinner or what to wear to the movies. Ask your children to help you make these simple decisions . When you ask them for their advice, it teaches them that they’re not the only ones who face problems. When you value their ideas, it will give them the confidence to solve problems independently. Besides, it will churn their thinking and analyzing skills, which will eventually help them in decision making.

3. Take a deep breath

One of the first steps to effective problem solving is remaining calm. Even with youngsters, when their emotions go out of hand, it’s difficult to look at things rationally, and the tendency to make impulsive decisions becomes higher. It’s important to teach your child to take deep breaths every time they feel they’re losing control of their emotions . Once they’re calm, they can assess the situation better.

4. Verbalize the problem

It would help your child if they verbally express how they feel and what they’re struggling with after calming down. It helps them gain perspective and makes it easier for them to come up with potential solutions.

5. Don’t provide “the answer”

While it’s difficult to watch your children struggle with an issue, do not give them the answer outright. Instead, give them hints to help them solve the problem independently. This way, they can learn to come up with creative solutions independently, using their logic and creativity.

6. Lead by example

Children are like sponges and pick up things very quickly. So, when you confront a problem and come up with an effective solution, they’ll notice how you address issues and try to emulate you.

7. Allow natural consequences to unfold

Sometimes, letting the problem run its course is the best way to deal with it. So, when your child is faced with a problem, let them be. Let’s suppose your child spent all their weekly allowance in a day or two; let them go the entire week without allowance. This will set them up to make better choices in the future.

15 Problem-Solving Activities For Kids

There’s no better way to learn than through play. The following activities are quite fun and require children to display their problem-solving skills.

One of the best problem-solving activities for children is puzzles. They come in various difficulty levels. Based on your child’s age, you can pick the appropriate one. Give them a puzzle, and they will learn to analyze the problem/question, find different ways of solving it, and arrive at the solution .

Additionally, the activity will help improve their critical-thinking skills, gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.

2. Scavenger hunt

One of the educational activities that every parent should introduce to their children is scavenger hunt. It is an inexpensive, easy, fun activity that can be done both indoors and outdoors and requires nothing more than the items you already have at home. The activity allows children to think outside the box. Without being aware, they’re learning problem-solving in a fun way, using their exploration skills.

Korbalagae, a former preschool through grade one teacher, shares an exciting idea for a problem-solving scavenger hunt. She narrates, “One of my favorite low prep lessons was the gingerbread man. I mostly needed buy-in from my colleagues and some cookie dough. Once we had read the book, I would have my students make gingerbread cookies, but as in the stories, ours would go missing.

“Our head cook, Mr Patrice, came to give us some terrible news that our cookies had disappeared when he went to look in the oven. This started our problem-solving. We had to figure out where our cookies had gone and how to get them back… We then had to come up with a plan of how to find them and where to look… My students had a chance to solve a problem. We had different theories of how our cookies went missing and where they could be, and for each idea, we examined it as a group. What was always wonderful to see was how one student’s idea would be picked up by another student and expanded upon ( i ).”

3. Storybooks

Reading offers a plethora of benefits. One of them is problem-solving. When children read stories , they come across various characters and the roles they play. Most often, children get attached to these characters. So, when they come across a problem, ask them how their favorite character would have solved it. Encourage them to come up with a variety of solutions and discuss the possible outcomes of each.

Engaging them in arts and crafts is another excellent way to teach children problem-solving skills. Give your child a variety of materials lying around the house and let them unleash their imagination. Let them come up with all sorts of exciting creations or repair broken toys or gadgets. Allow them to work independently, and guide them only when they are out of ideas.

5. Open-ended questions

Asking open-ended questions is an excellent way to improve your child’s ability to think creatively and critically and improve their problem-solving skills . With these questions, there’s no right or wrong answer, and the answer goes beyond a simple ‘no’ or ‘yes.’ They have to put some thought into their answers. Here are a few questions you can ask after each session.

  • What was difficult? What was easy?
  • What did you learn?
  • What do you think will happen next?
  • How did you arrive at the solution?
  • What would you do differently the next time?

Mazes are fun and safe for all age groups. When they work on mazes, it makes them think. The activity also improves their motor skills, observational skills, sense of direction, and problem-solving skills. Think beyond book mazes – you can find many maze games on the web. With practice, they’ll get better at finding their way out. Eventually, you can give them more complex mazes to solve, which help enhance their problem resolution skills.

7. Mini treasure hunt

Treasure hunt is one game that can get the entire family involved. You can keep their minds at work, especially if they know they’re going to win something in the end. Give them clues that encourage them to think outside the box and use their problem analysis skills to find the treasure in the end. Here are a few hints you could use to let them find the treasure:

  • My job is to put an end to your sleep. I do so with a beep, buzz, or music. (Ans: alarm clock)
  • I don’t have a face or arms, but I have hands that move at a steady pace. (Ans: Clock)
  • I’m filled with soft feathers, and it’s quite impossible for you to sleep without me. (Ans: Pillow/blanket)
  • Use me to clean your car in a jiffy or to give plants a drink. (Ans: Water hose)

8. Building with toys

Give your children LEGO blocks, wooden blocks, engineering blocks, etc., and make them build whatever they wish. Building with toys provides ample experimentation opportunities that require children to think and develop creative solutions to ensure a functional design. You can once, in a way, ask them to build something challenging, such as a creature with three arms or two towers with a joining bridge. Watch them rack their brains as they try to come up with a structure.

9. Wool web

Give the children a multi-colored yarn and ask them to stand in a circle. One person loops the ball of yarn across a finger and passes it to another person. Once every person gets a chance to hold the ball and loop the yarn across their finger, a web would be created.

Now, blindfold one member and ask them to follow the verbal instructions of the others to unwind the web. This group activity involves teamwork, focus, patience, coordination, concentration, and problem-solving skills to figure a way out.

10. The human knot

It is a simple game that’s extremely fun. In this game, you need a group of children. Make the children form a circle and raise their hands. Start with one player, who has to use their right hand to hold onto a player’s hand from across the circle and their left hand onto someone else’s hand. Check if everyone has held both hands with different players. Now, without breaking the circle, they must untangle themselves. The challenge is complete once everyone’s hands are free and they are back in the circle.

11. Impromptu skits

Divide the players into teams. Write down different scenarios, such as dealing with bullying in school or resolving a fight between siblings, on pieces of paper, fold them, and place them in a bowl. Each team/player picks a chit and acts out the scenario. You can give them a time limit to prepare. Such impromptu activities help children identify a problem, formulate a solution, and execute it.

12. Group drawing

Another excellent team-building activity for sharpening children’s problem-solving and communication skills is group drawing. Divide children into teams of three. Each of the three players in the team has a role to play .

One person is the drawer, who takes directions from the instructor to attempt to create a design. They should stand with their back to the instructor and viewer and must not talk.

Next is the instructor. The instructor is the one who gives out verbal instructions as to how the drawer must draw a particular design.

The viewer looks at the design. But, they’re not allowed to talk and can only communicate with the instructor via gestures.

You have a winner when the viewer is satisfied with the drawer’s picture. You can let the children take turns playing different roles.

13. Clue me in

Clue me in is a fun detective game that encourages cognitive development, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Start by selecting five to six target answers, such as a public figure, animal, historical event, social trend, or profession. Now, collect five to ten items associated with each target answer. They can be pictures from the Internet too. Place them in different bags.

Now decide how many clues a child can pick before making a guess. If it’s two, let the child pick up two clues from a bag and make their first guess. See who’s able to answer the quickest.

14. Survivor scenarios

Here’s another game that doesn’t require any items. In this game, you have to create pretend-play scenarios for children, who have to analyze and think out of the box to solve. For instance, give them this scenario, “You’re stuck on an island, and you know help will not come for two days. So how will you create a shelter for yourself with items around you?” Thinking about solutions to such situations will take a child’s innovation and imagination skills to the next level.

15. Moral dilemma

Children often find themselves in a dilemma. This simple game, without their knowledge, will help them cope with such scenarios. On pieces of paper, write down different dilemmas, such as ‘The cashier gave me $1 extra in change; what should I do?’ or ‘I saw my friend bullying someone at school. Should I stop them or let them be?’ Then fold it up and place it in a bowl. Get each child to pick one piece of paper, read it aloud, and come up with creative solutions on the spot to handle the situation. This fun activity will help children in problem identification and resolution, using contemplation.

16. Tic-Tac-Toe

Tic-Tac-Toe is one of the popular problem-solving activities for kids. It helps children learn patterns and symbols while boosting their problem-solving skills by building strategic and logical thinking. Draw a 3×3 grid and engage two children as players (one player uses X and the other O). Let each child take turns placing X and O in an empty square. The target is to get three consecutive Xs or Os in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal pattern, and the first player to do so wins.

17. Board games

Board games are a great way to help children learn strategic thinking and foresight. There are several age-appropriate board games to choose from. Popular ones include Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, Chess, Checkers and Scrabble. The number of players will vary based on the instructions in the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. At what age do children begin problem-solving?

Children are believed to acquire the basics of problem-solving by age three. But it is not refined since it is intervened by short attention span and difficulty in understanding the problems on their own. Their problem-solving skills develop as they grow up (1) .

2. What are three problem-solving strategies?

The three common problem-solving strategies are (2) :

  • Trial and error: Trying different ways to solve a problem until it is resolved
  • Algorithm: Following a step-by-step formula to solve the problem
  • Heuristic: Following a problem-solving framework such as breaking it into steps

3. What are the most common mistakes children make when solving problems?

One common mistake is children rushing to solve the problem out of excitement without understanding the problem. They may not try to comprehend the wording of a problem, which prevents them from identifying the facts. The urge to complete one question quickly and move to the next also makes them give the wrong answers.

4. What are the potential challenges of teaching problem-solving to kids?

Some of the challenges that educators face when teaching problem-solving is the developing cognitive skills in children that may prevent them from understanding specific concepts. The absence of background knowledge to solve a particular problem also hinders the process. In addition, children tend to have limited attention affecting their focus on solving a complex problem. Finally, a lack of appropriate materials and resources can also challenge teaching problem-solving.

Problems are a part of life, and the sooner children learn to tackle them, the better. Problem-solving for kids is an important skill because it helps them cope with everyday difficulties, challenges them to think differently, and learn more critical thinking skills. You may teach problem-solving skills to your children by encouraging them to share their problems, driving them to find their answers, or setting a good example. You can also involve them in problem-solving activities, such as puzzles, scavenger hunts, and mazes. Your focused efforts will help your children grow independent and confident in their problem structuring skills.

Infographic: “IDEALS” – A Method Of Problem Solving

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Key Pointers

  • Problem-solving skills teach kids to think out of the box and independently cope with life’s challenges.
  • Guiding them to acknowledge the problem and letting them solve the problem themselves could teach problem-solving skills in children.
  • Puzzles, scavenger hunts, mazes, and many more fun and engaging activities to hone your child’s problem-solving skills as you scroll down.

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

  • ACADEMIC AND FUNCTIONAL LITERACY Outcome Component 2: Demonstrates Competence in Problem Solving; https://cales.arizona.edu/sfcs/cyfernet/nowg/academic_component2.html
  • Problem Solving; https://opentext.wsu.edu/psych105/chapter/7-4-problem-solving/
  • Fact-checker

Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri MD

Advaitaa ravi bba, harshita makvana b.com, pg dip, nisha bharatan b.tech, latest articles, 13 signs of a highly sensitive child and tips to help them.

Typical traits of a sensitive child and ways to handle them.

When Can A Baby Hold Bottle: 6 Easy Tips To Help With It

Giving your baby some support in the initial days to help them hold a bottle is beneficial.

Self Control For Kids: How To Teach And Activities to try

Learning self-control is essential for kids to manage their actions and emotions competently.

When Do Babies Stand On Their Own And How To Encourage Them

They'll stand and walk at their own pace, all you need to do is support them.

6-Month-Old’s Milestone Chart & Tips To Improve Development

They sit with support, imitate sounds, and get more curious.

5-Month-Old Baby's Development And Milestones Chart

Prep up for surprises from your little monster.

16 Important Developmental Milestones In Baby’s First Year

Everything you should know about babies’ development from birth to 12 months.

6 Tips To Deal With Different Types Of Teen Peer Pressure

Transformation and the urge to fit in can make your teen feel the pressure; it can be positive or negative.

How To Build Confidence In Kids: 15 Tips And 8 Activities

Simple ideas to help your child develop self-assurance and prepare for life's obstacles.

5 Ways To Handle your Out-Of-Control Teenager

Punishment won't solve their behavioral issues; it will only worsen them.

18-Month-Old Baby's Milestones Chart And Development Tips

Tracking your little one's social, physical, and cognitive progress is crucial.

2-Month-Old’s Milestones Charts And Development Tips

You've celebrated the arrival of your bundle of joy, now cherish their growth.

  • Smart Security

games to teach problem solving skills

9 Online Educational Games That Teach Problem Solving Skills to Kids

education

Parenting is tougher than most people would expect—at least, 54% of parents agree . But you can reduce that burden a notch.

That's why we compiled these nine online games that teach kids problem-solving skills.

Apart from exploring online games that challenge kids to think strategically, we'll cover

  • Escape rooms,
  • Adventure gameplay

We'll also get into subject-specific games that keep kids connected to school lessons, including math and language skills.

Moreover, you might worry that they won’t access the right educational games for their ages. Left on their own, kids will stumble on content that's not age-appropriate.

But we don’t want that to happen.

So, we hand-picked the best online games your kids will love learning from even if they hate figuring things out on their own.

Take a look:

9 Best Online Educational Games To Teach Kids Problem Solving Skills

Fun games you’ll find in this list include:

  • General adventure gameplays to teach kids strategy,
  • Subject-specific games to help kids build math, language, or geography skills,
  • Team-building activities that require them to work in groups, and
  • Puzzles for learning critical thinking.

Let’s get right to it. 

#1 Code Breaker

Age Rating: EC (3 - 8)

This interactive game from Odd Squad will help your kids learn how to count and identify numbers, shapes, and patterns. Players can generate a number or shape following given rules and identify certain features that aren’t explicit in the rules.

Code Breaker is an extension of the PBS show , Odd Squad, which is the perfect mix of action and science fiction. 

Throw in some educational bits and you’ve got an awesome after-school activity for your child. Gamified learning content like this allows your kids to become skilled problem solvers. 

#2 Interactive Math Games

Age Rating: EC (3 -  14)

Most kids (adults too) find math either boring or challenging. It’s easy to zone out while the math teacher drones on about algebras and equations in the classroom.

Thankfully, technology has made math fun. Your child can subtract integers and match equivalent fractions while squashing fruits. 

The sound effects in the game are also fascinating for younger kids. You can find problems from early math to pre-algebra in interactive game forms suitable for children in pre-k to the eighth grade. These games allow kids to develop important age-appropriate math skills. 

#3 Sorting Box

Age Rating: EC (3 - 6)

Sid the Science Kid is another category of interactive games for children by PBS. It educates them on various topics and useful life skills. The game, Sorting Box, teaches your kid to sort items by colors , traits, and features while placing them into different columns. 

The character Sid, also offers useful tips and advice to players who get confused, making it easy for your child to have fun and learn effectively. Encourage your preschoolers’ curiosity about the world and how it works with this fun game. 

Age Rating: E (7+)

Now, this is a game everyone in the family can enjoy. If you have younger children who prefer group activities you could play Sudoku for kids . The rules are the same as traditional Sudoku puzzles except that the grids are easier and may substitute the numbers for letters or shapes. 

Where the game is concerned, more is fun, so be sure to include your kids’ friends. Allow them to improve their decision-making skills and the art of compromise. 

Stay connected with your buddies from school and friends from the neighborhood, solve puzzles as a team, and have loads more excitement with stable internet from GVTC .

#5 Oddstacle Course

Age Rating: EC (4+)

This entry from Odd Squad is an obstacle course game that allows players to cruise around different continents in a van, collecting trophies and points. The game plot involves fixing the oddness around the world caused by villains. Your kids get to defeat giant snowmen, enormous jelly beans, gargantuan babies, and more while building their geography skills.

With the help of the Odd Squad, they travel the world, gather clues to reveal the villain, and solve various problems. Oddstacle course provides both fun and critical thinking for kids. 

#6 Room Recess

Age Rating: E (7 - 12)

The more enjoyable a task is, the more kids engage with it. Reading games are no exception. As a parent, it’s important to get your child to enjoy reading since its success depends on how long they spend on the task. 

That’s where reading games come in handy. Interactive options like Reading Ninja and Sir Readalot teach kids all about conclusions, figurative language, context clues, syllables, fact, and opinion. Elementary students can focus on specific educational standards by learning new skills that challenge their comprehension levels. 

#7 Crossword Puzzles

Puzzles are another fantastic means of occupying your child’s time since they allow them to practice spelling and expand their vocabulary. Kids develop positive self-esteem through the game when they complete a crossword puzzle - especially when they require little to no help from parental figures. You can find puzzles covering various genres , topics, and children’s stories for the family to enjoy.

Pro tip — Create a custom crossword puzzle game for everyone to enjoy at family game nights, or for kids’ sleepovers at Crossword Labs .

#8 Brain Den

Age Rating: E10+

Brain Den features all kinds of puzzles and fun brain teasers from Logic Riddles, Alphametics, to Paradoxes. Test your child’s logic and problem-solving skills with a collection of puzzles of varying difficulty levels. Encourage their creativity by allowing them to come up with new riddles. 

You can pull up puzzles from this category and use them during game nights and other fun family activities.  

#9 Push-Pull Puzzles

Age Rating: EC (4 - 8)

This game was created by PBS to improve STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) culture in children from underserved communities.

The Push-Pull Puzzles teach kids basic physics concepts by navigating characters through whimsical obstacle courses. The game follows the Scientific Method of breaking levels into two major stages - planning and testing. 

In the first phase, the player observes a problem before them, develops a hypothesis, before testing it by pushing and pulling objects around. Help your kids practice critical thinking skills as they solve fun puzzles and explore science techniques. 

Safe Educational Online Gaming for Your Kids

Now that you know all the educational games that teach kids different logical and problem-solving skills, you can rest easy. Thanks to the entries listed here, your children can continue learning even when school isn’t in session. And now they can enjoy themselves while developing new skills. 

Are you uncomfortable with your kids spending all their free time on social media or playing games with adult ratings? Now’s the time for some educational games. 

Enjoy maximized gaming experience and WiFi speed of up to 1.0 Gbps/250 Mbps with GVTC WiFi/internet services .

Take control of your kids’ screen time with Premium WiFi with ExperienceIQ . The service allows you to take charge of your household by restricting access to non-age-appropriate content online with a click of a button.

fiber CTA

Related Articles

12 fun outdoor gps games to play this fall, 8 engaging online multiplayer games for kids to enjoy during christmas break, most popular games for the summer.

  • Professional Services
  • Creative & Design
  • See all teams
  • Project Management
  • Workflow Management
  • Task Management
  • Resource Management
  • See all use cases

Apps & Integrations

  • Microsoft Teams
  • See all integrations

Explore Wrike

  • Book a Demo
  • Take a Product Tour
  • Start With Templates
  • Customer Stories
  • ROI Calculator
  • Find a Reseller
  • Mobile & Desktop Apps
  • Cross-Tagging
  • Kanban Boards
  • Project Resource Planning
  • Gantt Charts
  • Custom Item Types
  • Dynamic Request Forms
  • Integrations
  • See all features

Learn and connect

  • Resource Hub
  • Educational Guides

Become Wrike Pro

  • Submit A Ticket
  • Help Center
  • Premium Support
  • Community Topics
  • Training Courses
  • Facilitated Services
  • Collaboration

Top 15 Problem-Solving Activities for Your Team to Master

May 27, 2022 - 10 min read

Brianna Hansen

Some people see problems as roadblocks, others see them as opportunities! Problem-solving activities are a great way to get to know how members of your team work, both individually and together. It’s important to teach your team strategies to help them quickly overcome obstacles in the way of achieving project goals.

In this article, you’ll explore 15 problem-solving activities designed to enhance collaboration and creativity. Additionally, if you want to discuss the insights and outcomes with your team after the activities, you can use Wrike’s actionable meeting notes template. This template allows you to record meeting discussions, assign action items, and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

The importance of problem-solving skills in today’s workplace

Mobile image promo promo

According to a 2019  report by McKinsey , soft skills are increasingly important in today's world — and problem-solving is the top area in which skills are lacking. A company or team’s success weighs heavily on the willingness of managers to help employees improve their problem-solving abilities. Team building activities targeting focus areas like communication and collaboration, adaptability, or strengthening decision-making techniques help.

All problem-solving processes start with identifying the problem. Next, the team must assess potential courses of action and choose the best way to tackle the problem. This requires a deep understanding of your team and its core strengths. A problem-solving exercise or game helps identify those strengths and builds problem-solving skills and strategies while having fun with your team.

games to teach problem solving skills

Problem-solving games aren't for just any team. Participants must have an open mind and accept all ideas and solutions . They must also have an Agile mindset and embrace different structures, planning, and processes. Problems usually arise when we least expect them, so there's no better way to prepare than to encourage agility and flexibility.

Another aspect to keep in mind when engaging in problem-solving games and activities: There are no winners or losers. Sure, some games might end with a single winner, but the true goal of these exercises is to learn how to work together as a team to develop an Agile mindset. The winning team of each game should share their strategies and thought processes at the end of the exercise to help everyone learn.

Here’s a list of fun problem-solving activity examples to try with your team. From blindfolds to raw eggs, these problem-solving, team-building activities will have your team solving problems faster than Scooby and the gang.

Classic team-building, problem-solving activities

1. a shrinking vessel.

Helps with: Adaptability

Why adaptability is important for problem-solving: Adaptability is highly associated with cognitive diversity, which helps teams solve problems faster , according to the Harvard Business Review. Innovation and disruption are happening faster than ever before . People, teams, and organizations that can adapt will come out on top.

What you’ll need:

  • A rope or string

Instructions:

1. Using the rope, make a shape on the floor everyone can fit into.

2. Slowly shrink the space over 10-15 minutes.

3. Work together to figure out how to keep everyone within the shrinking boundaries.

2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower

Helps with: Collaboration

Why collaboration is important for problem-solving: “Collectively, we can be more insightful, more intelligent than we can possibly be individually,” writes Peter Senge in The Fifth Discipline . We can solve problems better as a team than we can alone, which means developing your team’s collaboration skills will lead to better problem-solving outcomes.

What you’ll need (per team):

  • 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti
  • 1 roll of masking tape
  • 1 yard of string
  • 1 marshmallow

1. The goal of this exercise is to see which team can use the materials provided to build the tallest tower within an allotted time period. The tower must be able to stand on its own.

2. To make this exercise more challenging, try adding a marshmallow to the top of the tower. This team problem-solving exercise helps people think on their toes while building camaraderie and leadership.

3. Egg Drop

Helps with: Collaboration, decision-making

Why decision-making is important for problem-solving: Making decisions isn’t easy , but indecision leads to team paralysis, stagnant thinking, and unsolved problems. Decision-making activities help your team practice making quick, effective choices. Train your team’s decision-making muscles and they will become more adept at problem-solving.

  • A carton of eggs
  • Basic construction materials such as newspapers, straws, tape, plastic wrap, balloons, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, etc., tarp, or drop cloth
  • A parking lot, or some other place you don’t mind getting messy!

1. Each team gets an egg and must select from the construction materials.

2. Give everyone 20-30 minutes to construct a carrier for the egg and protect it from breaking.

3. Drop each egg carrier off a ledge (i.e. over a balcony) and see whose carrier protects the egg from breaking.

4. If multiple eggs survive, keep increasing the height until only one egg is left.

4. Stranded

Helps with: Communication, decision-making

Why communication is important for problem-solving: More employees work remotely than ever before. Good communication skills are vital to solving problems across  virtual teams . Working on communication skills while your team is together will help them solve problems more effectively when they’re apart.

Here's the setting: Your team has been stranded in the office. The doors are locked, and knocking down the doors or breaking the windows is not an option. Give your team 30 minutes to decide on ten items in the office they need for survival and rank them in order of importance. The goal of the game is to have everyone agree on the ten items and their rankings in 30 minutes.

Creative problem-solving activities

Helps with: Communication

What you'll need:

1. Divide everyone into small teams of two or more.

2. Select an overseer who isn't on a team to build a random structure using Lego building blocks within ten minutes.

3. The other teams must replicate the structure exactly (including size and color) within 15 minutes. However, only one member from each group may look at the original structure. They must figure out how to communicate the size, color, and shape of the original structure to their team.

4. If this is too easy, add a rule that the member who can see the original structure can't touch the new structure.

  • A lockable room
  • 5-10 puzzles or clues (depending on how much time you want to spend on the game)

1. The goal of this exercise is to solve the clues, find the key, and escape a locked room within the time allotted.

2. Hide the key and a list of clues around the room.

3. Gather the team into the empty room and "lock" the door.

4. Give them 30 minutes to an hour to find the key using the clues hidden around the room.

7. Frostbite

Helps with: Decision-making, adaptability

  • A blindfold
  • 1 packet of construction materials (such as card stock, toothpicks, rubber bands, and sticky notes) for each team
  • An electric fan

Instructions:  Your employees are Arctic explorers adventuring across an icy tundra! Separate them into teams of four or five and have them select a leader to guide their exploration. Each team must build a shelter from the materials provided before the storm hits in 30 minutes. However, both the team leader’s hands have frostbite, so they can’t physically help construct the shelter, and the rest of the team has snow blindness and is unable to see. When the 30 minutes is up, turn on the fan and see which shelter can withstand the high winds of the storm.

8. Minefield

  • An empty room or hallway
  • A collection of common office items

1. Place the items (boxes, chairs, water bottles, bags, etc.) around the room so there's no clear path from one end of the room to the other.

2. Divide your team into pairs and blindfold one person on the team.

3. The other must verbally guide that person from one end of the room to the other, avoiding the "mines."

4. The partner who is not blindfolded can't touch the other.

5. If you want to make the activity more challenging, have all the pairs go simultaneously so teams must find ways to strategically communicate with each other.

9. Blind Formations

1. Have the group put on blindfolds and form a large circle.

2. Tie two ends of a rope together and lay it in a circle in the middle of the group, close enough so each person can reach down and touch it.

3. Instruct the group to communicate to create a shape with the rope — a square, triangle, rectangle, etc.

4. If you have a very large group, divide them into teams and provide a rope for each team. Let them compete to see who forms a particular shape quickest.

Quick and easy problem-solving activities

10. line up blind.

1. Blindfold everyone and whisper a number to each person, beginning with one.

2. Tell them to line up in numerical order without talking.

3. Instead of giving them a number, you could also have them line up numerically by height, age, birthday, etc.

11. Reverse Pyramid

Helps with: Adaptability, collaboration

1. Have everyone stand in a pyramid shape, horizontally.

2. Ask them to flip the base and the apex of the pyramid moving only three people.

3. This quick exercise works best when smaller groups compete to see who can reverse the pyramid the fastest.

12. Move It!

  • Chalk, rope, tape, or paper (something to mark a space)

1. Divide your group into two teams and line them up front to back, facing each other.

2. Using the chalk, tape, rope, or paper (depending on the playing surface), mark a square space for each person to stand on. Leave one extra empty space between the two facing rows.

3. The goal is for the two facing lines of players to switch places.

4. Place these restrictions on movement:

  • Only one person may move at a time.
  • A person may not move around anyone facing the same direction.
  • No one may not move backward.
  • A person may not move around more than one person on the other team at a time.

13. Human Knot

1. Have everyone stand in a circle, and ask each person to hold hands with two people who aren’t directly next to them.

2. When everyone is tangled together, ask them to untangle the knot and form a perfect circle — without letting go of anyone's hand.

Our last two problem-solving activities work best when dealing with an actual problem:

14. Dumbest Idea First

Helps with: Instant problem-solving

1. "Dumb" ideas are sometimes the best ideas. Ask everyone to think of the absolute dumbest possible solution to the problem at hand.

2. After you have a long list, look through it and see which ones might not be as dumb as you think.

3. Brainstorm your solutions in Wrike. It's free and everyone can start collaborating instantly!

15. What Would X Do

1. Have everyone pretend they're someone famous.

2. Each person must approach the problem as if they were their chosen famous person. What options would they consider? How would they handle it?

3. This allows everyone to consider solutions they might not have thought of originally.

Looking for more team-building and virtual meeting games? Check out these virtual icebreaker games or our  Ultimate Guide to Team Building Activities that Don't Suck.

Additional resources on problem-solving activities

  • Problem-Solving Model : Looking for a model to provide a problem-solving structure? This detailed guide gives you the tools to quickly solve any problem.
  • The Simplex Process:  Popularized by Min Basadur's book, The Power of Innovation , the Simplex Process provides training and techniques for each problem-solving stage. It helps frame problem-solving as a continuous cycle, rather than a “one and done” process.
  • Fun Problem-Solving Activities and Games : Looking for more ideas? Check out this list of interesting and creative problem-solving activities for adults and kids!
  • The Secret to Better Problem-Solving:  This article provides tips, use cases, and fresh examples to help you become a whiz at solving the toughest problems.

How to organize problem-solving activities with Wrike

If you want to make problem-solving activities more effective, consider using team collaboration software such as Wrike. 

Wrike’s pre-built actionable meeting notes template helps you keep track of meeting discussions, assign action items, and keep everyone in the loop. It’s an effective tool to streamline your problem-solving sessions and turn insights into real projects.

Brianna Hansen

Brianna Hansen

Brianna is a content marketing manager at Wrike. When she's not writing about collaboration and team building games, you'll find her in the kitchen testing out the latest recipes, sharing her favorite wine with friends, or playing with her two cats.

Related articles

6 Different Team Effectiveness Models to Understand Your Team Better

6 Different Team Effectiveness Models to Understand Your Team Better

Understanding these 6 team effectiveness models can help you figure out which model to adopt for your own team. Or it may simply help shed light into what's working in your own group, and how to help improve what's lacking.

5 Unexpected Ways To Improve Team Collaboration

5 Unexpected Ways To Improve Team Collaboration

The general trend these days is toward open office plans, where cubicle walls and office doors don’t impede communication. In fact, the International Facility Management Association reports that 70% of offices in the US now have an open floor plan.  But tearing down the walls so we can yell across the room at one another doesn’t necessarily improve collaboration. In fact, a study in Finland found that employees on average waste 21.5 minutes a day getting distracted by overheard conversations, the top roadblock to productivity. It takes more than just moving the furniture and hoping it will get people talking—it takes planning, intentional policy changes, and just a little hint of the unexpected. These five unusual strategies for improving team collaboration will get your teams to work together in ways that make people feel comfortable sharing ideas.  1. Put the Walls Back Up Conventional wisdom says that open work spaces and shared offices get people to talk more, but the ambient noise and visual distractions can actually mean a loss of productivity. We cycle through the open-office-closed-door argument every decade or so, probably because the pendulum swings way too far in one direction or the other, leaving employees either isolated or distracted. When employees have a quiet, comfortable place to work distraction-free, they feel more comfortable coming out of their shells when they need to work together. Cubicles, conference rooms, and separate offices help define meeting times and let employees choose when they engage with others, rather than the open office layout that stifles quiet time. 2. Build an Asynchronous Communication Policy Many workplaces have implemented instant messaging apps, crowd-sourced employee documents, and project management tools that increase the opportunity for collaboration. But that’s not enough—you also have to create expectations around how employees use those tools.  Communication apps like Skype and Slack, can and should be used with an understanding that communication happens at your discretion.  Asynchronous communication models the sort of communication that happens between parts of a computer: information is sent when it’s convenient for one part of the system, and the other part of the system receives and responds at its convenience. This way, the receiver’s current process isn’t interrupted, which helps team members stay focused on important work.  Offices that use wikis, email, chat tools, Kanban boards, and project management tools that let users view notifications and changes on their own time show respect for the individual’s flow of work. Users can set "do not disturb" hours so they won’t receive distracting notifications, and use a batching system to take care of all secondary communication outside of their focus times.  Asynchronous communication gives employees the freedom to focus without that fear of missing out on important decisions. When companies empower employees to communicate within dedicated time frames, they send the message that they appreciate when employees focus on single tasks, rather than splitting their attention between communication and assignments.  3. Implement: "No Agenda, No Meeting" It’s many people’s worst office nightmare: a meeting with no plan. Requiring that all meetings — no matter how trivial or informal — have at least a bullet point outline puts both planners and attendees at ease.  Agendas also keep your teams focused on outcomes. Teams that plan in advance and share agendas stay on track and reduce distractions that can devolve into lost time and unhelpful disagreements. Build policies about tangential discussions and how to deal with disagreements, so your employees know how to handle new and uncomfortable situations. Meeting agendas protect meaningful individual work time, and helps the group stay on task. This reduces friction due to off-topic talking, lets attendees collect their thoughts and ideas before the meeting, and defines the scope of work so all participants understand what’s expected. Collaboration is much easier when everyone knows what’s required.  Once the group completes the agenda, release employees to check off the items on their personal to-do lists. You can always schedule follow-up meetings to resolve new issues.  4. Build an Inclusive Remote Work Infrastructure Finding top talent is harder than ever, and ensuring that your employees have a good work-life balance is an HR necessity. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 24% of employees worked from home at least part of the time in 2015. Working remotely from a home office or co-working space in a different city can increase employee happiness and productivity and limit distractions from office shenanigans (looking at you, Sales Departments).  Companies that allow remote work or work from home policies need to build communication and collaboration into the lifestyle of the company. Use video conferencing, chat programs, screensharing & remote desktop access, and project management tools to bring employees together virtually around your  goals.  Ensure that not only workers but also managers and executives understand how to use the remote technology, and are comfortable engaging with the crew. Use your video calls for 1:1 weekly meetings to check in, and build chat channels where your whole team can hang out. Allow teams to build their own chat channels around shared interests (Trivia, Fantasy Football, great restaurants, etc.) to cultivate a connected culture and engage employees during downtime. These connections remind us that our colleagues are more than their work projects, they are people too. Humanizing remote teammates helps to foster empathy, which in turn smooths out whatever rough patches you'll hit during collaboration.  5. Build Relationships via Tough Conversations Whether collaboration takes place in the office or remotely, in real time or asynchronously, in a conference room or in the middle of an open office, it’s important to build communication policies that promote openness and honesty. Conflict and criticism are inevitable, but collaboration doesn’t have to suffer: the whole team can communicate with emotional intelligence.  By planning for the inevitable, you can ensure that tough conversations happen with sensitivity—building relationships among team members, instead of eroding them.  Designate mediators for teams, plan regular communication skills workshops (quarterly, not just once a year), and discuss different communication styles.  Collaboration is More Than Seating Arrangements  Improved team collaboration takes more than sticking everyone in a room and hoping individual genius will compound in a group setting. Real business-oriented collaboration requires careful planning, investment in technology, and breaking down outdated ideas of what teamwork and productivity look like.  About the Author: Tamara Scott is an analyst at TechnologyAdvice, a research company that connects buyers and sellers of business technology. She writes about project management, marketing, sales, CRM, and many other technology verticals.

Making Mistakes at Work: What to Do if You're in the Wrong

Making Mistakes at Work: What to Do if You're in the Wrong

All of us have felt the fear of admitting when we’ve made a mistake at work. We may be terrified to tell our manager, or nervous about the impact our mistake could have on the business. But mistakes are completely normal and should be viewed as an opportunity to grow. This article aims to provide a deeper insight into why this fear of making mistakes at work exists and how to overcome it. We’ll also provide advice to managers on how to react and problem solve collaboratively as a team.  Why is there a fear of making mistakes at work? Making mistakes at work can be scary. This is especially true if you’re the sole breadwinner of your household or rely on your position for everyday expenses like rent. When the stakes are high, it’s normal to worry about what-if scenarios when something goes wrong. In rare cases, extreme perfectionism is diagnosed as atelophobia which is the extreme fear of making mistakes.  While these are all valid reactions, making mistakes at work can actually improve your relationship with management and provide opportunities for self-improvement. But first things first, you have to adjust your mindset and overcome those fear-based feelings that are keeping you paralyzed.  Overcoming the anxiety of making mistakes at work If you’re like most people, you probably feel a knot in your stomach when something goes wrong at work. It could have been a minor mishap that no one noticed or a major mistake that cost your company a huge sum of money.  Regardless of what happened, overcoming the anxiety of making mistakes at work is the first step to finding a solution. If you skip this part of the process, you may find yourself covering up issues that could have been fixed, making things worse long-term, or even getting found out by your boss. Follow these steps to overcoming work-related stress and bounce back stronger than before after you’ve messed up:  Step 1: Process your emotions It’s natural to feel frustrated and embarrassed when something goes wrong at work. But, after a few seconds, the feeling should pass and you can begin to think logically. If it doesn’t happen quickly, take some time to process these emotions. Talk it out with a trusted friend, voice journal about it in your car, or take a walk outside to get some fresh air before starting fresh.  It can be hard to maintain a sense of balance when you’re upset. Try to make sure that your emotional response is proportional to the mistake you made. Step 2: Keep perspective If you make an error at work, it’s likely not a life-or-death situation. Most of the time, it can be corrected or resolved quickly. If you don’t find the right perspective, your mind may get too focused on the negative consequences of your mistake, which can trigger more errors in the future. Step 3: Acknowledge the mistake If you need to apologize for an error, do it quickly and politely. If it’s a small issue, a sentence or two via email or chat messenger is enough to make amends. If it’s a larger issue, consider holding a meeting or giving your manager a quick phone call. Also, make sure to tell your boss about how you intend to prevent this mistake in the future. Step 4: Review your response It’s so easy to get distracted by all your other goals and projects that you can forget about anything else that went wrong before you got to this point. Taking the time to review your response to the mistake helps you improve in case it ever happens again.  Ask yourself questions. Do you make the same mistake over and over again? If so, what changes can you make to prevent this from happening? Step 5: Practice self-care Getting back into a healthy routine can help you release pent-up energy and prevent making mistakes at work in the future.  To some, the concept of self-care may seem like a trend or luxury. But making sure you’re feeling your best is critical for improving your confidence and your performance at work.  Issues such as sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, and dehydration can lead to mistakes you otherwise wouldn’t have made if you had been taking better care of yourself.  Step 6: Evaluate your own performance The easiest way to earn people's trust is to consistently deliver stellar work. Even though you may have failed in the past, there's still time to move on and create a successful and rich working life. Remember, a mistake or two over the course of an otherwise successful period will not make or break your career.  How should managers react to mistakes at work? Managers are responsible for reacting to and assisting employees with mistakes at work. Even in the most high-pressure situations, doing so with care is not only good for morale but will prevent similar mistakes in the future. How a manager reacts to mistakes at work can make all the difference between transformational leadership and losing otherwise great employees.  Great managers understand that we can all learn from our mistakes. Mistakes help us develop as individuals and as a team.  Great managers can also recognize when they themselves have made mistakes. Before you approach a team member, take a close look at yourself to see if you're really worried about their work. If so, what do you think about their performance? Who is responsible for their work so far?  You may find that you’ve contributed to the environment, the process, or the miscommunication that made the mistake possible. Reflecting on this ahead of time will relieve everyone of playing the blame game and instead solve the problem from a fair and level-headed place.  Additionally, managers should make sure that each mistake is a teaching moment. It may be hard but don't try to fix the problem. Instead, frame it as an opportunity to improve and develop.  When approaching an employee who has made a mistake, start by being curious about it. Ask questions about what happened and what their perspective is on the situation. Use active listening skills when speaking to team members, as it will let them know that you are paying attention. They may fess up immediately. If they take the blame for something that wasn’t their fault, which is pretty common, address that. If they don’t admit to making a mistake, approach the situation with care and focus on the issue, not placing blame.  Give the team members the autonomy to figure it out on their own. Then, provide your feedback in a fair and balanced manner. Afterward, encourage them to learn from it and avoid repeating the same mistake. When communicating with an employee who has made a mistake, in-person meetings are often best. However, many teams are now made up of contractors, gig workers, and freelancers who work remotely so a physical location is not always accessible. If that’s the case, lean on digital tools to illustrate the issue.  For example, reports and individual task assignment lists from project management tools. These can also be used to prevent future mistakes, as managers can easily use them to communicate the actions and behaviors expected of team members and improve the overall work management process.  There may be times when mistakes happen over and over again. If that’s the case, the employee may be engaging in a pattern of behavior that keeps them from performing at their best. Managers can step in and provide ideas for healthy habits that will prevent the same type of mistake from cropping up again.  For example, you can ask a marketing team member to overcome a common marketing mistake of missing a content publishing deadline by writing a to-do list every day. This will help them stay on top of their tasks while also motivating them to finish their work at the same time.  In a nutshell, it’s important to understand that punishment for infrequent mistakes is unfair and ineffective. These mistakes offer opportunities to improve, which both managers and employees can embrace. How to admit a mistake in a professional environment You may end up in a situation in a professional environment where an apology is needed. And when it comes to making mistakes at work, honesty is the best policy. Certain actions can break trust, but an apology can help rebuild it.  In your explanation, it's important to detail why you acted the way you did. It shows that you care about how those around you are affected by your actions. It's important to address the person you're apologizing to by name, regardless of their status. Having an open conversation can help both of you understand the other person better, and it can prevent an insincere apology from happening. If the mistake you made affected someone personally, it's important to validate the feelings of the other person. Having the courage to admit that you're sorry can make a huge difference in how people treat you.  Take responsibility for your actions and have a plan in place for how to make amends before you approach the appropriate person or people.  Having a plan in place shows that you're thinking about how to make things right. You may even want to read about examples of taking responsibility at work and model your behavior on whichever feels appropriate for the situation.  However, don’t get carried away and make promises you can’t keep. It's important to set goals that are realistic so that you can avoid repeating the mistake.  If your apology is accepted, you can then try negotiating a solution by asking the other person to reflect on the situation and consider their feelings.  After you apologize, make a greater effort to keep your promises and not repeat the same mistake. Doing so can help improve the situation and make the other person feel more comfortable. How to learn from mistakes at work It's important to come clean and admit your mistake, but it's also important to move forward with a positive mindset. You'll most likely feel a bit down about your mistake right after it happens. But by learning from it, you can improve and become more resilient in the long run.  Start by creating a plan for improvement. If you made a minor mistake, then creating personal goals and action plans will help you put those lessons into action. You can learn a universal lesson from nearly any situation, no matter how unique it is. For example, if you learned that a mistake was made because of your forgetfulness, implementing organizational strategies to improve your memory could help. Next, keep track of progress over time in a notebook or virtual document. Be sure to note the highlights along with the lowlights. Look for patterns. As they come up, add them to your action plan or personal goals list.  Monitor whether or not these changes have led to better, more consistent outcomes. If not, adjust and keep going.  Lastly, don't be afraid to ask for help if you're unsure which strategy or tool will work best for you. Managers are there to support your performance. If you approach them with honesty and vulnerability, they’ll likely be flattered you thought to ask. They may even offer advice or make changes that will improve productivity for you and the rest of the team.  In conclusion The pressure to perform at a high level can often result in mistakes and inefficient habits. Learn from your mistakes and take ownership of them. Communicate in an open and honest manner. Ask for or provide help when needed and remember that every new mistake is also an opportunity for better performance. How Wrike can help you avoid unnecessary mistakes at work With so many files, folders, updates, and chat threads to keep track of, mistakes are easily made when you try to get through your day without a work management platform. Wrike offers a variety of features to help you stay on top of your workload easily, and avoid unnecessary confusion that can lead to mistakes at work. Full project visibility, including real-time updates and approvals, means that you can ensure every stakeholder is informed of what you're working on, with your tasks going to the correct approver every time. One shared space with over 400 app integrations means communication has never been easier, no matter where you or your team are based. And Wrike's Automation Engine allows you to streamline your processes and automate the time-consuming admin tasks that, when tackled manually, can easily be done incorrectly.  Try it out for yourself with a free two-week trial.

Wrike

Get weekly updates in your inbox!

You are now subscribed to wrike news and updates.

Let us know what marketing emails you are interested in by updating your email preferences here .

Sorry, this content is unavailable due to your privacy settings. To view this content, click the “Cookie Preferences” button and accept Advertising Cookies there.

  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

games to teach problem solving skills

unremot.com

Developer marketplace

Top 50 problem solving activities, games & puzzles for remote teams

Blockchain and Crypto / March 6, 2022 by admin

Here is a list of the top 50 problem solving activities, games & puzzles best suited for remote teams. Read on!

What are problem solving activities?

The success of a company or organization depends heavily on the managers’ ability to help workers develop their problem solving skills. Problem solving activities that address areas such as teamwork and cooperation, adaptability or reinforcement of decision-making strategies help.

All processes of problem solving begin with the identification of the problem. The team will then evaluate the possible course of action and select the best way to tackle it. This needs a profound understanding of your team and its core strengths.

Not only among corporates, but problem solving activities find their use in educational settings as well. Students who are good at solving problems will become much more successful than those who are not. Remote work and education are on the rise.

Enabling smooth interpersonal communication to solve problems can become a task in these situations. However, engaging all the people concerned in problem solving activities before shifting to the remote space can ease the process.

Also Read: Keen to invest in bitcoins – find a trustworthy bitcoin trader now!

Key skills evaluated in problem solving activities

Problem solving skills refer to the necessary thinking skills that an individual or group uses when met with a challenge. Many issues require the use of several skills; others are easy and may require only one or two skills. These are some skills that help to solve problems,

  • Communication skills
  • Decision-making skills
  • Analytical thinking
  • Negotiation skills
  • Logical reasoning
  • Persistence
  • Lateral thinking

Problem solving skill examples

Several problems occur at the workplace. Problem solving skills can be technical problems that occur on websites or apps or addressing client concerns. Problems could be simple or complex. Business managers spend time and resources to solve problems.

They encourage their team to improve their analytical and logical abilities. Common issues in companies can be exploding data or changing technology, or financial management.

Did you know? Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in problem solving!

Also Read: Keen to invest in Ethereum – find a trustworthy ETHtrader now!

Problem solving scenarios

Many problem solving scenarios occur at work. The basis to solve any problem is to evaluate and arrive at a solution. Analytical skill or problem solving ability is a skill many employers evaluate while hiring candidates.

Strong problem solving skills can be an asset to any organization. Organizations organize problem and solution activities to improve the problem solving abilities in the workplace.

1. Decision making games

Businesses are looking for new and innovative ways to stimulate their staff. Decision making games help employees to learn new skills and work effectively as a team. Decision making activities help to improve the creative problem solving and decision-making skills of the team. Here are some best Decision-making games,

1. Dumb Idea first – This game gives a hypothetical problem that could occur in your company. Ask each manager to think of the dumbest solution to the problem. After compiling the list of the ideas, the team reviews them.

You have a brainstorming session to make the “dumb ideas” feasible. This problem solving exercise underlines the importance of out-of-box thinking.

Benefits: Decision-making skill

Time duration: 10 to 15 minutes

Team size: 2 to more team managers

Material: Paper and pencil

2. Egg Drop Idea – The objective of the game is to build a container to protect the egg when dropped from a specified height using the material provided. Each team nominates a presenter who explains why the egg will survive the fall.

Once they have presented the idea, the team drops the egg to check if the idea has worked. Egg drop pyramid activities like the marshmallow challenge help teams to think on their feet.

Benefit: Decision-making skill and is a top problem solving skill example

Time duration: 15 – 30 minutes

Team size: 6 or more

Material: A cartoon of eggs, aprons to protect clothes, material for packing (cardboard, tape, elastics, plastic straws, etc.), material to clean up.

Instructions:

  • Every team gets an egg and should choose from the building materials. 
  • Grant everyone 20-30 minutes to build an egg carrier and guard against breaking. 
  • Remove each egg carrier from a ledge (that is, over a balcony) to see which carrier prevents it from cracking. 
  • If several eggs survive, continue to heighten until only one egg remains.

3. Dog, Rice, and Chicken – The dog, rice, and chicken game can be fun decision-making activities for adults. In this game, one team member plays the farmer, and the other team members are villagers who advise him. The farmer has to take three items chicken, dog, and rice across the river by boat.

There are the following constraints:- only one item can be carried on the boat. He cannot leave the chicken and dog alone because the dog will eat the chicken. He cannot leave the chicken alone with the rice because the chicken will eat the rice grains.

Benefit: creative problem solving examples that are applicable at work.

Time duration: 10-15 minutes.

Also Read: Keen to invest in bitcoins – find a trustworthy bitcoin broker now!

2. Teambuilding puzzle

Team building exercises are fun and creative ways to get your team to work together and improve problem solving skills.

1. Lost at Sea – In this game, you and your friends have chattered a yacht to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. Since you do not have any navigation experience, you hire a captain and a two-person crew. Unfortunately, the crew and captain die when a fire breaks out on the yacht.

The yacht is severally damaged and is sinking. You and your friends have managed to save 15 items and a lifeboat. Your task is to rank the 15 items while you are waiting to be rescued. The activity lost at sea team building underlines the importance of problem solving skills in the workplace.

Benefits: Team building exercise and interaction

Time duration: 30 to 40 minutes

Team size: 4 to 6

Material: Lost in sea ranking for interaction chart for each member

2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower – The marshmallow team-building activities have the goal of building the tallest tower as quickly as possible. To make the task more challenging the marshmallow is placed at the top of the tower. This is a fun puzzle activity for team building.

Benefit: Teambuilding puzzle

Time duration: 30 minutes

Material required: 20 sticks on raw uncooked spaghetti, a marshmallow, masking thread, and yarn of thread.

3. Go for Gold – This is an example of a marshmallow challenge similar to activities. The objective of this exercise is to create a structure using pipes, rubber tubing, and cardboard to carry a marble from point A to point B using gravity.

Benefit: team building problem solving scenario examples

Team size: Minimum 6 persons

Material required: Each member has different material

Also Read: Keen to learn about bitcoins – find an experienced bitcoin consultant now!

3. Work Problem Solving

Work problem solving activities help to use the skills you used in problem solving activities in your workplace.

1. Create your own – this game aims to create a brand new problem solving activity for the organization. The team can brainstorm for 1 hour. After one hour each team has to give a presentation about their activity outlining the key benefits.

Benefit: Understanding the problem solving process. Build creativity, improve negotiation, and Decision-making skills

  • When the participants arrive, you declare that they will create an original problem solving activity on their own, rather than spending an hour on an existing problem solving team-building exercise. 
  • Divide members into teams and encourage them to develop a new problem solving team-building exercise that will fit well with the organization. The activity should not be one they have engaged in or heard of before.
  • Every team has to show their new activity to everyone else after an hour and outline the main benefits.

2. Shrinking Vessel – make a shape on the floor using a rope where all the team members can fit. Reduce the size every 10 -15 minutes. The real challenge for the team is figuring out how to work together and keep everyone together.

Benefits: Adaptability and cognitive diversity

Material: Rope and large room

  • Place on the floor a big circle of rope. Position your whole team inside the circle. 
  • Lessen the circle size steadily. When it gets smaller, advise the team to keep the entire team inside the circle. Nobody must move out of the loop. See how small you can make the area until it cannot remain inside.

3. Legoman – the team is divided into groups of two or more people. Select an impartial individual who will make a structure in 10 minutes. Each team will compete to recreate it in fifteen minutes. Only one person is allowed to see the structure. They need to communicate vital parameters like color, shape, and size.

Benefits: Communication

Tools: Lego

4. What Would X Do – This problem solving activity stimulates teams to think of new ideas.

  • Benefits: Instant problem solving
  • Time Duration: 10-15 minutes
  • Materials Required: N/A
  • Let every team pretend to be someone famous. 
  • Every team needs to address the issue as if they were a famous person. Which are the choices they would consider? How will they do this? 
  • It helps all to consider options they may not have initially thought of.

Tip: Before you decide, a problem is worth solving, weigh the risks of solving it versus not solving it. 

Also Read: Keen to invest in crypto – find the best crypto financial advisor now!

4. Team building riddles

Team building riddles are a great way to show the team group problem solving is usually more effective.

1. Barter puzzle – the team is broken into groups. Give each team a different jigsaw puzzle to solve. The groups have to complete the puzzle at the same time. The twist in the game is that some pieces of their puzzle belong to other puzzles.

The goal is to complete the puzzle before the other teams. Each group has to come with their method to convince other teams to handover the pieces they need, either by bartering pieces or donating time to the other teams. This puzzle piece team-building activity helps teams to collaborate.

Benefit: Team building and negotiating.

Material: Jigsaw puzzle for each team

Time: 30 minutes

2. Scavenger Hunt – in this game, each team has a list of the article to locate and bring back. The goal of the game is to finish the assigned list first. In the scavenger hunt, the team has a time limit to make the game more challenging. You have the flexibility of having the hunt outside or within the premises. The team-building puzzle game helps the team to look for creative solutions.

3. Escape – the goal is to solve clues and find the key to unlock the door in a limited time. Hide the key and a list of clues around the room. The team has 30 to 60 minutes to figure out the clues and unlock the door.

Benefit: Team building exercise

Material: Rope, key, lockable room, 5 to 10 puzzles

Also Read: Interested in crypto – find an expert crypto consultant now!

5. Work together problems

Work together on problems helps to underline the need to collaborate while solving issues at work. Group challenge activities help the team work well together.

1. Bonding belt – each group is divided into 5 to 6 participants, who are bound together with rope or tape so that their movements are limited. The team has to reach from point A to point B, and the time is recorded. The teams collaborate to beat their previous score.

Benefits: Helps the team to collaborate and skills for problem solving scenario/

Time: 20 to 30 minutes

Material: Cling film, belt, or rope

2. Scramble puzzle – the team members with blindfolds sit in a circle with the puzzle. The teammate without the blindfold sits outside the circle, with their back to the group. The blindfolded group tries to assemble the pieces of the puzzle. The outsider who has the same puzzle gives the team instructions to solve it.

Benefits: trust, leadership, and communication

Material: Preschool-level puzzles and blindfolds.

3. Flip it over – this is a classic work-together problem. In this game, 6 to 8 participants stand together on a blanket/towel/tarp. The challenge is to flip over the blanket or reverse it. The rule is that none of the participants can leave the blanket.

Benefit: Work together exercise

Duration: 30 minutes

Material: Blanket

Also Read: Building a blockchain – browse varied blockchain consulting services now!

6. Team building survival games

Team building survival games helps to fine-tune problem solving scenarios that may occur at work. The activities encourage creative problem solving and decision making.

1. Stranded – Stranded helps in building effective communication. In this setting, the team is stranded in an office. The rooms will be locked, and doors and windows cannot be broken down. The team is asked to make a list of 10 items that they need to survive.

They need to rank items in the order of their importance. The team has to agree on the items and the order. Stranded is one of several popular survival team-building exercises.

Benefit: Team building and Decision-making exercises

  • Your team is stuck inside the building. Doors are closed, so there is no option to kick down the doors or smash the windows.
  • Grant the team 30 minutes to determine what ten things they need to thrive in the office and list them in order of importance.
  • The goal of the game is to get everyone to agree in 30 minutes about the ten things and their ranking.

2. Minefield – you randomly place items around the room or hallway and there is no clear path from one end of the room to another. The team is divided into pairs. One team member is blindfolded, and the other team member is the guide.

The guide navigates the blindfolded person across the minefield. The two partners cannot touch. This survival team-building activity underlines the need for clear communication.

Benefits: Communication and collaborative problem solving

Duration: 10-15 minutes

Material: Blindfold, empty room or hallway, and collection of random items.

3. Frostbite – in this survival scenario team-building exercise the team is trapped in Siberia. Each team has to elect a team captain. The team has to build a storm shelter with the material provided.

The twist in the game is the team captains cannot help physically since they have frostbite. Other team members are suffering snow blindness and are blindfolded. The electric fan will be turned on in 30 minutes to see if the shelter built will survive the storm.

Benefit: Leadership, skills action plan, and team building survival games

Team size: 4 to 5 members

Material: An electric fan, blindfold, simple building materials like cardboard paper, rubber bands, toothpicks, masking tape, straws, sticky notes, etc.

Also Read: Lost your bitcoins? Find a bitcoin recovery expert to retrieve it!

7. Group decision making games

Group decision making games help encourage creative problem solving and decision making at work. Here is a bunch of group decision making games

1. Reverse Pyramid – the team members stand in a pyramid shape. The next step is to flip the base and apex of the pyramid. The limiting factor in only three persons can move.

Benefits: Group Decision-making and collaboration

2. Tower of Hanoi – in this game, there are three towers/posts/rods with 5 or more discs arranged conical shape with the smallest shape at the top. The objective of the game is to move the entire stack to another location retaining the shape. Some conditions of the games are only one disc can be moved at a time. Only the top disc can be moved. Another rule of the game is larger disc cannot be put on a smaller disc.

Benefits: This team-building exercise helps problem solving within the participants.

3. Human Knot – the team stands in a circle every person holds hands with a person not standing next to them. When everyone is cross-connected, the aim is to untangle the structure without letting go of anybody’s hand.

Benefit: group problem solving

Also Read: Interested in crypto – find an expert digital asset investor now!

8. Funny problem solving games

We need to solve problems for personal and professional lives. Funny problem solving exercises are a light way. Funny problem solving can help reduce stress levels.

1. Pencil drop – in the pencil drop challenge, one end of the pencil is tied to a pencil and the other is tied around the waist of a team member. The other team member puts the pencil into the bottle placed below. The participants are not allowed to use their hands.

Benefit: Team bonding

Team size: 2 members each

Material: Some pencil and bottle

2. Blind drawing – this game requires two players to sit back to back. One participant describes an image in front of them without giving stating anything obvious. The other participant needs to draw it using the description. The outcome can be fun.

3. Be the character – in this activity, you pretend to be an imaginary character while trying to solve a problem. This game gives a unique perspective on your solution and whether the solution is feasible for other members.

Also Read: Keen to invest in crypto – find a trustworthy cryptocurrency consultant now!

9. Group problem solving activities for adults

Group problem solving activities are very efficient, especially for adults. These can be used in any setting to enhance problem solving skills. 

1. Human Knots

  • Benefits: Communication skills, collaboration
  • Time Duration: 10 – 15 minutes.

This is one of the most straightforward group problem solving activities that can be done with any group. It facilitates communication and critical thinking in the face of a challenging and complex question. Various group members will possibly suggest a variety of solutions, and each will need to be reviewed and adopted by the organization as a whole.

  • Have the group stand in a small circle (make several circles when you are a larger group). Every person in the loop will hold the hands of 2 other people who are not directly next to them. That would make a messy crossed arms knot.
  • Ask the group to disentangle themselves without moving their hands at any point in time. They may be unable to disentangle completely to form a circle again. Still, they would have begun to work together to solve the problem by the end of the activity.

2. Frostbite 

  • Benefits: Leadership, decision-making, trust, adaptability
  • Time Duration: 30 minutes.
  • Materials Required: An electric fan, blindfold, simple building materials like cardboard paper, rubber bands, toothpicks, masking tape, straws, sticky notes, etc.

Your group is trapped in the barren deserts of Siberia, and a sudden winter storm is approaching. You have to create a shelter with only the materials in hand that can survive the storm’s harsh winds. The leader of your expedition was afflicted with frostbite in both hands, sadly, and all the others experience severe snow blindness.

  • Divide the group into clusters of 4-5. Every group will have to elect a chief. 
  • Group leaders are not allowed to use their hands to support the group in any way, and group members should be blindfolded during the exercise. 
  • The groups have 30 minutes to build a small tent structure that can withstand the wind from the fan’s highest location. 

3. Dumbest Idea First

  • Benefits: Critical thinking, creative problem solving, quick problem solving
  • Time Duration: 15 – 20 minutes
  • Materials Required: Pen or pencil, a piece of paper.

Dumbest Idea First is one of the most creative problem solving activities for groups. This can encourage your creativity by thinking out of the box and lead you to ideas that would typically sound too insane to work. You can broaden the possibilities by looking at these crazy solutions first, and find potential alternatives that might not be as obvious.

  • Present your team with a question. It could be a real-world dilemma facing the group, or it could be a created scenario. For example, your company attempts to beat a rival to win a high-paying customer contract, but the customer bends to your competitors. You have a short period before they make the final decision to change their mind.
  • With the given question, advise your group to come up with the dumbest ideas to tackle the issue. Anything can be written down. 
  • After each person has put forward a few ideas, go through the list, and analyze each plan to see which are the most feasible. List them from the highest level of feasibility to the lowest level.  

4. Wool Web 

  • Benefits: Leadership, communication
  • Time Duration: 30 minutes
  • Materials Required: Some balls of yarn.

As hard as replicating the magnitude of the real-world problems is, that is no excuse not to try! Wool web creates a dilemma that appears complicated at first, but groups will learn to break down complicated challenges into solvable problems one move at a time.

This happens by using the right strategy and working together. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most stimulating problem solving activities for adults.

  • Split the group into similarly large teams. Every time, it receives a yarn ball. 
  • Tell each team to turn the yarn ball into a vast web. Give them around 5-10 minutes to do this. When done, rotate all the teams so that every team is on a yarn web they have not set up. 
  • Every group must choose one person to untangle the web. That individual would be blindfolded and be guided by the rest of the team on how to unwind the web using only verbal instructions. The first team to achieve it wins the game.

5. Tallest Tower 

  • Benefits: Creative thinking, collaboration
  • Materials Required: 1 bag of marshmallows, one packet of uncooked spaghetti.

Simple building projects can help group members create strategies to overcome box issues. Tallest Tower is another one of the most creative problem solving activities. Groups will compete with only two materials to make the tallest tower in a fixed period.

  • Divide the group into two, which have an equal number of players. Provide 20 – 30 uncooked spaghetti noodles and 3-4 marshmallows to every team. 
  • Groups must compete in the provided period to build the tallest tower using only the materials supplied. A marshmallow has to be set at the top of the tower.

Also Read: Struggling with blockchain – find an expert blockchain analyst now!

10. Problem solving activities for students

Below is a bunch of problem solving activities for students and kids,

1. Brainstorm Bonanza – Brainstorm Bonanza is one of the best problem solving activities for students. As a teacher, making your students create lists relevant to something you are teaching at the moment can be a fantastic way to help them expand their knowledge of a subject when learning to solve problems.

  • Benefits: Problem solving
  • Materials Required: Pen and paper

1. If you are discussing a real, current, or fictional occurrence that did not work out well, let your students imagine ways that the protagonist or participants might have produced a better, more favorable result.

2. They can brainstorm independently or in groups. 

2. Clue Me In – this is one of the most enjoyable problem solving games. It facilitates logical thinking and cognitive development.

  • Benefits: Cognitive development, logical thinking
  • Time Duration: 20 minutes
  • Materials Required: A bag, clues, items as necessary
  • Select a collection of things relating to a specific occupation, social phenomenon, historical incident, object, etc.
  • Assemble individual objects (or pictures of things) commonly linked to the target response.
  • Place all of them in a bag (five-10 clues ought to be enough).
  • Then, have a student reach into the bag and take out clues one by one.
  • Select a minimum number of clues to draw before they make their first guess (two-three).
  • After that, the student should guess, pulling each clue until they think it is right.
  • See how quickly the student can solve the riddle.

3. Survivor Scenario – Create a hypothetical situation that allows students to think creatively to make it through. One example may be being stuck on an island, realizing that three days of help would not come.

The community has a small amount of food and water and has to establish shelter from the island’s objects. This would undoubtedly be one of the fascinating problem solving activities for students.

  • Benefits: Logical thinking, collaboration
  • Encourage working together as a group.
  • Listen to each student who has an idea about making it safe and secure across the three days.

4. Moral Dilemmas – Create several potential moral dilemmas that your students can face in life, write down, and place each object in a bowl or container. These things may include items like, “I’ve seen a good friend of mine shoplifting. What is it that I would do?” or “The cashier gave me an additional $1.50 in change after I purchased candy from the shop. What is it that I would do?”

  • Benefits: Logical thinking
  • Time Duration: 5 minutes per student
  • Materials Required: Container, bits of paper with moral dilemmas written
  • Ask every student to draw an item from the bag one after the other and read it aloud. 
  • They must then tell the class the response on the spot as to how they would handle the situation.

5. Problem solving box – this is an activity that will help on both cognitive and emotional levels for students. 

  • Benefits: Logical thinking, decision making
  • Materials Required: Box, paper, pen
  • Have your students design and decorate a medium-sized box with a top slot. Name it as the “Problem Solving Box.”
  • Invite students to write down anonymously and apply any concerns or problems they may have at school or at home, which they do not appear to be able to work out on their own.
  • Let a student draw one of the things from the box once or twice a week, and read it aloud.
  • Finally, as a group, let the class work out the best way students can approach the problem and eventually solve it.

Also Read: Invest large in bitcoins – get a profitable deal from a bitcoin OTC broker now!

11. Problem solving activities for kids

Below is a bunch of problem solving activities for kids,

1. Puzzle-solving – Solving puzzles is one of the best problem solving activities for kids out there. Essentially, every puzzle is a big collection of muddled-up items to figure out and bring back together again.

Kids must be introduced to puzzles with regularity. These are useful for improving skills in reasoning. The best kinds to choose from are wooden puzzles with a wooden frame. They last long, and the structure serves as the foundation to direct children during construction. 

  • Benefits: Reasoning skills
  • Time Duration: Varies
  • Materials Required: Puzzles according to the age level

Instructions: 

  • Show the kids a demo of how a particular puzzle can be solved. 
  • Then, let them choose a puzzle of their liking from the available choices. 
  • Ask them to solve their chosen puzzles. 

2. Memory Games – Memory games will improve memory and attention to detail for your child. 

  • Benefits: Attention to detail
  • Materials Required: Matching pairs of images
  • Using matching pairs of images and turn them all face down, shuffled, on a table.
  • Take turns to pick any two cards, and face them on the table.
  • You hold the cards if you turn over a similar pair, and if the pair does not match, turn the cards over before it is your turn to try again. 
  • A teacher/parent must encourage the kids to concentrate on where the pictures are, and seek to find a matching pair on each turn.

3. Building games – Construction toys like building blocks, wooden blocks, or legos should be a staple in a kid’s home every day. Playing with them is one of the most fun problem solving activities for kids. Anything that your child builds is a challenge as it involves thinking about what to create and how to put together the parts to get a workable and usable design. 

  • Benefits: Decision making
  • Materials Required: Construction toys.

1. Let your child build a challenge openly and often, and ask him/her to build a particular structure, with conditions. For instance:

  • Create two towers with a bridge that connects them.  
  • Create a creature that stands alone and has three arms.

2. Observe how your child uses trial-and-error before finding a way to bring the idea into motion.

4. Tic-Tac-Toe – this is an excellent game for teaching decision-making skills. It encourages kids to think before they act and weigh the potential consequences. 

  • Materials Required: Pencil, paper
  • Draw a simple tic-tac-toe table on paper or chalkboard.
  • Take turns to add a nought or a cross to the table to see who is the first to make a line of three.
  • Your kid will likely catch on in no time before placing their symbol and start thinking carefully.
  • Coloured counters or different items can be used to play this game as well.

5. Building a Maze – This activity is fun and fits for any age. It will also be a lot more enjoyable than doing a maze in an activity book, particularly for younger kids. 

  • Materials Required: Chalk
  • Draw a big maze with jumbo chalk on the paving. Make passages, including one or two, which end in an impasse. Teach your kid how to get out of it.  
  • Make the maze more complicated and add more dead-end passages as your child gets better at figuring out a path and finding the way out.

Also Read: Developing a blockchain – hire an expert blockchain developer now!

What is a problem solving process?

When a team or person faces an issue or obstacle, it can be tempting to quickly track a potential solution and set up a fast fix. This could happen without understanding the complexity of the problem and pursuing a systematic approach to seeking a solution.

The attempts to address issues or obstacles may become unstructured and frustrating without a consistent method. End-to-end processes for problem solving offer a mechanism for a community to tackle any size or nature, and see results. Problem solving activities for adults, kids, and students can help make the problem solving process very useful.

Army problem solving process

There are 7 steps to problem solving army model,

  • Recognize and define the problem – The first step army problem solving process is defining the problem precisely and determining the root cause.
  • Gather facts and make assumptions – You need to gather all information you have at your disposal. Common resources for information may be documentation and policies. Assumptions are unsubstantiated facts. Use facts rather than assumptions when you need to analyze the scope of the problem.
  • Generate alternatives – One of the key steps in military problem solving is finding ways to solve the problem. Ideally, it best to have multiple approaches to solve the problem. Take input from peers and subordinates if possible.
  • Analyze possible solutions – Analyze each possible solution with advantages and disadvantages. You evaluate each solution according to screening and feasibility criteria. Reject the solution when it fails in the screening process.
  • Compare Alternatives – Another crucial step in the army problem solving model is to evaluate alternatives for cost and benefits. You need to consider your experience and immediate future. Tabulating each solution with the pros and cons will help clear the picture.
  • Make an executive your decision – Make a decision and prepare an action plan, and put it in motion.
  • Assess the result – You need to monitor the implementation of the plan and modify it if required. Establishing critical steps and milestones will help to ensure success.

Army problem solving games

  • Capture the flag – the game helps in team building and army problem solving. Two teams compete against one another to retrieve a flag or object from the opposing team camp base and get into their camp base. This game is flexible, and ground rules need to be set before the game starts.
  • Paintball – Paintball is a fun military problem solving activity. You can have many modifications and variations of the paintball game. The aim is to fire paint pellets at the opposing team. Laser tag is another variation of the game.
  • Firing blind – Firing blind is a game where each team has a large number of water balloons. At the other end of the field has to hit the target is protected by a tarp from direct firing. The team has to hit the target that is covered. One team member acts as the observer and directs the team to hit the target with the water balloons.

Also Read: Interested in NFT – find an expert NFT consultant now!

Obstacles to problem solving

Problem solving can take time and patience, one of the best ways to solve any problem is pausing and evaluating the problem. Obstacles to problem solving are,

  • Misdiagnosis – Misdiagnosis is a common problem can occur due to preconceived idea, biases or judgments. Defining and having a concrete understanding of the problem is the first step in the problem solving activity. This can be difficult. If you are not careful, you may spend your time and resources solving the wrong problem and finding the wrong solution.
  • Communication bias – Communication barriers are caused when we are unable to explain the problem to the team, or presuming we know more than everyone else. Everyone on the team must be on the same page. You may need to acknowledge you have a limited understanding of the problem.
  • Solution bias – A common obstacle in problem solving is thinking there may be a universal solution or thinking the same solution can solve multiple problems. You need to evaluate a problem independently than try to force-fit a solution that worked previously.
  • Cognitive bias – One of the barriers to finding an effective solution is cognitive bias, or the tendency to jump to conclusions. To find solutions fast firms often end up with an irrelevant solution. This may cause more problems down the line.
  • Lack of empathy – Every problem is associated with human emotions or abilities. It is important to identify and recognize people affected by the problem or it will be difficult to find a solution that will solve help.

Also Read: Developing an NFT – hire an expert NFT developer now!

Famous virtual problem solving software

Traditionally watercoolers chat is a great way to bring people together and help team members interact with one another. A virtual water cooler has a similar concept where people interact in a similar virtual setting or a dedicated virtual room. It allows remote teams to bond. Software that offers virtual water coolers services,

  • unremot.com – provides users with a unique water cooler experience. The app provides unique solutions to remote teams.
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Informal Whatsapp group
  • Donut over slack channels

games to teach problem solving skills

Blockchain & Crypto

Crypto Trading - unremot.com

Best Crypto Trading Tools You Need to Know About 

It's 2023, and crypto trading is still waxing strong, getting more popular as the day passes. …

Continue Reading about Best Crypto Trading Tools You Need to Know About 

Crypto Wallet Security - unremot.com

Decoding the Layers: Simplifying Crypto Wallet Security

In this article, we will delve deep into the intricacies of crypto wallet security and provide …

Continue Reading about Decoding the Layers: Simplifying Crypto Wallet Security

Uniswap - unremot.com

Uniswap: A Decentralized Exchange Protocol for Ethereum Tokens

In this article, we will explore what Uniswap is, how it works, and why it has become so …

Continue Reading about Uniswap: A Decentralized Exchange Protocol for Ethereum Tokens

Background checks in less than 30 minutes!

Get the background checks completed for anyone in less than 30 minutes. Just enter the email ID and press start verification!

Tales of Soldiers and Civilians, By Ambrose Bierce

games to teach problem solving skills

Why do you need unchek?

Instant background check on anyone | Generate reports in 30 minutes | Run checks on anyone with an email | Completely free and online | Includes professional and educational checks | Covers social and personal insights

Don't have a personal office yet?

Nurture healthy conversations at your office with 360-degree virtual experiences of your real-office water coolers, cafeterias, and game zones!

...it’s not nice to talk about people behind their backs, but that’s not to say that gossip doesn’t have any social value. In fact, it has plenty. Gossip is the foundation of our species’ survival...

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari

Select from many spaces.

Cafeteria | Watercoolers | Virtual Gym Game Zone | Conference Rooms | Virtual Spa Ping-pong Tables | Fun Zone | Office Rooms and more...

Empowered Parents

10 Simple Activities to Teach Your Preschooler Problem Solving

By: Author Tanja McIlroy

Posted on Last updated: 14 November 2023

Categories Cognitive Development

games to teach problem solving skills

During the first years of a child’s life, an important set of cognitive skills known as problem-solving abilities are developed. These skills are used throughout childhood and into adulthood.

Find out what problem solving is, why it’s important and how you can develop these skills with 10 problem-solving games and activities.

What is Problem Solving in Early Childhood?

So, what exactly is problem solving? Quite simply, it refers to the process of finding a solution to a problem .

A person uses their own knowledge and experience, as well as the information at hand to try and reach a solution. Problem solving is therefore about the thought processes involved in finding a solution.

This could be as complex as an adult working out how to get out of a financial crisis or as simple as a child working out how two blocks fit together.

Problem Solving Skills for Kids

Problem-solving skills refer to the specific thinking skills a person uses when faced with a challenge. Some problems require the use of many skills, while others are simple and may only require one or two skills.

These are some examples of problem-solving skills for preschoolers , as listed by kent.ac.uk .

  • Lateral thinking
  • Analytical thinking
  • Decision-making skills
  • Logical reasoning
  • Persistence
  • Communication skills
  • Negotiation skills

The Importance of Developing Problem-Solving Skills in Early Childhood

Problem solving is a skill that would be difficult to suddenly develop as an adult. While you can still improve a skill at any age, the majority of learning occurs during the early years.

Boy thinking about a problem

Preschool is the best time for a child to learn to problem solve in a fun way. The benefits of learning early will last a lifetime and the beauty of learning anything at a young age is that it is effortless .

It is like learning to play an instrument or picking up a new language – it’s just much easier and more natural at an early age.

Of all the many things preschoolers need to learn , what makes problem solving so important?

There aren’t many situations in life, at work or at school that don’t require some level of problem resolution.

Child’s play itself is filled with opportunity upon opportunity to solve all kinds of tricky situations and come up with solutions to challenges.

Problem Solving in Preschool

During the foundational years, children are constantly solving problems as they play .

Here are just a few examples of problem solving in early childhood :

  • Resolving a fight over the same toy
  • Reaching a ball that’s stuck in the tree
  • Forming a circle while holding hands
  • Making a bridge to connect two block towers
  • Tying or untying a shoe
  • Making up rules for a new game
  • Trying to get the consistency of a mud cake right so it stops falling over

The more creative play opportunities and challenges children are given, the more they get to exercise their problem-solving muscles.

During free play , there are non-stop experiences for this, and parents and teachers can also encourage specific problem-solving skills through guided activities .

Problem Solving for Older Children

During the grades, children experience problems in many forms, some of which may be related to their academic, social and emotional well-being at school. Problems may come in the form of dealing with life issues, such as:

  • Problems with friendships
  • Struggling to understand something during a lesson
  • Learning to balance the demands of sport and homework
  • Finding the best way to study for a test
  • Asking a teacher for help when needed

Problems will also form a large part of academic life as teachers will be actively developing this skill through various activities, for example:

  • Solving a riddle or understanding a work of literature
  • Working on projects with a friend
  • Finding solutions during science experiments
  • Solving mathematical problems
  • Solving hypothetical problems during lessons
  • Answering questions and completing exam papers

Children who have had practice during preschool will be a lot more capable when facing these challenges.

Solving Problems in Mathematics

Mathematics needs to be mentioned separately as although it is part of schooling, it is such a huge part and it depends heavily on a child’s ability to solve problems.

The entire subject of mathematics is based on solving problems. Whether you are adding 2 and 3, working out how many eggs will fit into each basket, or solving an algebraic expression, there is a problem in every question.

Mathematics is just a series of problems that need to be solved.

What we refer to as problem solving in Maths is usually answering word problems .

The reason many children find these so difficult to answer is that the question is presented as a problem through a story, rather than just numbers with symbols telling you what operation to use (addition, division, etc.)

This means a child is forced to think carefully, understand the problem and determine the best way to solve it.

These problems can involve various units (e.g. mass, capacity or currency) as well as fractions, decimals, equations and angles, to name a few. Problems tend to become more and more complex over the years.

My experience in the classroom has shown that many, many children struggle with solving word problems, from the early grades right into the senior years.

They struggle to analyze the question, understand it, determine what information they’ve been given, and what exactly they are required to solve.

The good news is that exposing a child to regular problem-solving activities and games in preschool can greatly help him to solve word problems later on in school.

If you need one good reason to do these kinds of activities, let it be for a smoother experience in mathematics – a subject so many children unnecessarily fear.

Problem Solving in the Workplace

Lady at work doing problem solving

Adults in the workplace seldom thrive without problem-solving skills. They are required to regularly solve problems .

As adults, employees are expected to independently deal with the frequent challenges, setbacks and problems that are a big part of every working environment.

Those who can face and solve their own problems will go further and cope better than those who seek constant help from others or cannot show initiative.

Some  career websites even refer to problem solving as a universal job skill. They also mention that many employees are not good at it. 

Again, although it may seem far removed, learning this skill at a young age will help a child cope right into adulthood and in the working world.

Pinterest image - 10 simple activities to teach problem solving.

How to Teach Children Problem-Solving Skills

If early childhood is the best time to grow these skills in your young children, then how does one go about teaching them to toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners?

Mom and child constructing

Problem solving can be taught in such a way that you expose your child to various opportunities where they will be faced with challenges.

You would not necessarily sit your 3-year-old down and tell or “teach” him all about fixing problems. Instead, you want to create opportunities for your child to grow this skill .

Using the brain to think and find solutions is a bit like working a muscle over time. Eventually, your muscle gets stronger and can handle more “ weight. ” Your child will learn to problem solve in two ways:

  • Incidentally – through free play
  • Through guided opportunities provided by a parent or teacher

If you make a point of encouraging thinking through games and activities, your child will develop stronger skills than if you let it all happen incidentally.

Problem-Solving Strategies and Steps

If we take a look at the steps involved in solving a problem, we can see that there are many layers involved and different types of skills. Here are the problem-solving steps according to the University of Ken. 

Step 1: Identify the problem

Step 2: Define the problem

Step 3: Examine the options

Step 4: Act on a plan

Step 5: Look at the consequences

Therefore, activities at a preschool level need not present complicated high-level problems.

  • A simple activity such as identifying differences in a picture can work on the first skill needed – identifying a problem.
  • Playing with construction toys can develop a child’s ability to try various solutions and examine the options when faced with a problem such as trying to find the best way to build something.
  • Playing Tic-Tac-Toe would make a child predict the consequences of placing their mark in a particular square.

The most basic of activities can work on all these skills and make children competent solution finders.

How to Teach Problem Solving with Questions

The language you use around your child and your questioning technique will also greatly affect their understanding of a problem or challenge as merely something waiting for a solution to be found .

While your child is playing or when she comes to you with a problem, ask open-ended questions that will guide her in finding a potential answer independently. Use the steps listed above to formulate your questions.

Here are some examples of questions:

  • What do you think made the tower of blocks fall down?
  • If we build it again, how can we change the structure so that it won’t fall down next time?
  • Is there a better way we can do it? If you think of a different way, we can both try it and see which works better.
  • Did that work? The tower fell again so let’s try another solution.

Resist the temptation to fix every one of your child’s problems, including conflict with friends or siblings. These are important opportunities for children to learn how to resolve things by negotiating, thinking and reasoning.

With time, your child will get used to seeing a problem, understanding it, weighing up the options, taking action and evaluating the consequences.

Problems will be seen as challenges to be faced logically and not “problems.”

This post contains affiliate links for educational products that I personally recommend. If you purchase through one of them, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the terms and conditions for more details.

10 Problem-Solving Activities for Preschoolers

Here are 10 simple, easy games and problem solving activities for kids at home or at school. Many of them are the kinds of activities children should have daily exposure to.

Puzzles are one of the best thinking activities out there. Each puzzle is basically one big set of muddled-up things to be sorted out and put back together again. Find out why puzzles are important for development .

Children should have regular exposure to puzzles. They are great for developing thinking skills.

games to teach problem solving skills

  • 4 FUN PET-THEMED PUZZLES: The Melissa & Doug Pets Jigsaw Puzzles include four 12-piece puzzles featuring a...
  • STURDY WOODEN STORAGE BOX: Our pets puzzles for kids can be easily stored in the included sturdy wooden...

2. Memory games

Memory games will develop your child’s memory and attention to detail.

Get your own memory game cards by downloading the FREE set of printables at the end of the post.

Use pairs of matching pictures and turn them all face down, shuffled, on a table. Take turns choosing any two cards and turning them face up on the table. If you turn over a matching pair you keep the cards and if the pair doesn’t match, turn the cards back over until it is your turn to try again.

Encourage your child to concentrate and pay attention to where the pictures are and try to find a matching pair on each turn. 

3. Building with Construction Toys

Construction toys such as engineering blocks, a proper set of wooden blocks or Legos (shown below) should be a daily staple in your home.

Everything your child builds is a challenge because it requires thinking about what to build and how to put the pieces together to get a design that works and is functional.

Leave your child to construct freely and occasionally set a challenge and ask him to build a specific structure, with conditions. For example:

  • Make two towers with a bridge joining them together
  • Build a creature that stands on its own and has 3 arms.

Then watch your child wracking his brain until he finds a way to make his structure work.

Caferria Kids Building Kit STEM Toys, 110 Pcs Educational Construction Engineering...

  • STIMULATE CREATIVITY & IMAGINATION: Kids building toy are designed as 110 piece including the 6 building...
  • LEARNING BY PLAYING: The STEM building blocks Kit would help to develop the imagination and creativity which...

Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Set - 100 Blocks in 4 Colors and 9 Shapes

  • Hours of educational fun: The Melissa & Doug wooden building blocks set includes 100 durable wooden blocks in...

LEGO Classic Creative Bricks 10692 Building Blocks, Learning Toy (221 Pieces)

  • Features a wide range of bricks in 29 different colors, Special pieces include 2 different sets of eyes,...
  • Special pieces encourage imaginative building with endless possibilities

4.  Activity Books

These activity books are really fun and develop a child’s ability to identify problems and search for information.

games to teach problem solving skills

  • Pomaska, Anna (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

games to teach problem solving skills

  • Handford, Martin (Author)

Help! My Dinosaurs are Lost in the City!: A Fun Spotting Book for 2-4 Year Olds (Help!...

  • Books, Webber (Author)

5. Following Patterns

This simple activity can be played with a set of coloured blocks, shapes or counters.

Simply make a pattern with the blocks and ask your child to continue it. Vary the pattern by changing the colours, shapes or sizes.

This activity will train your child to analyse the given information, make sense of it, recognise the pattern and re-create it.

6. Story Time Questions

Get into the habit of asking questions during your daily story time that develop higher-order thinking skills . Instead of just reading and your child passively listening, ask questions throughout, concentrating on solving problems.

Here are some examples:

  • Why do you think the bear did that?
  • Do you think his friend will be happy? Why?
  • What would you do if you were the monkey?
  • How do you think Peter can make things better with his friend?
  • If the crocodile had decided not to eat the rabbit, how could the story have ended?

7. Board Games

Board games are an excellent way to develop problem-solving skills.

Start off with simple games like Ludo and Snakes and Ladders to teach the skill of following rules and moving in a logical sequence.

Ludo + Snakes & Ladders Wooden Board Game 2-Pack - Two Game Set in One Bundle - Children's...

  • Double-Header: Enjoy two classic games in Ludo and Snakes and Ladders on this double-faced game board
  • Old Classic For A New Generation: Share timeless family games with a new generation of fun, dice rolling...

games to teach problem solving skills

Card games like Go Fish are also great for teaching young children to think ahead and solve problems.

Hoyle 6 in 1 Kids Playing Cards Multi Game Pack, 6 Fun Games in 1 (Ages 3+)

  • KIDS CARD GAMES: Unleash ultimate fun with our Hoyle 6-in-1 Kids Playing Cards Multi Game Pack. Each set...
  • GROWTH THROUGH PLAY: Help your children blossom with our social skills games for kids. Each of our games...

8.  Tic-Tac-Toe

This is a perfect game to teach decision-making skills , thinking before acting and weighing up the possible consequences.

Tic-tac-toe game

Use a Tic Tac Toe Board or d raw a simple table like the one above on paper or a chalkboard.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Tic-Tac-Toe Board Game with 10 Self-Storing Wooden Game Pieces...

  • Wooden tic-tac-toe game board with eye-catching red, orange, blue, and green color pattern
  • Includes white-framed wooden board with indented squares for mess-free play, 10 colored x and O game tiles,...

Take turns to add a nought or a cross to the table and see who can make a row of three first.

Your child will probably catch on in no time and start thinking carefully before placing their symbol. This game can also be played with coloured counters or different objects.

9. Classifying and Grouping Activities

This activity can be done with a tin of buttons or beads or even by unpacking the dishwasher. The idea is to teach the skill of classifying and categorizing information by learning with physical objects. Here are some other ideas for categorizing:

  • Separate the washing – mom’s clothes, dad’s clothes, etc; or socks, tops, shorts, etc.
  • Empty out the cutlery drawer for cleaning, mix all the utensils up and then sort into knives, tablespoons, teaspoons, etc.
  • Classify and sort out the toys in your child’s bedroom together – all books, construction toys, soft toys, etc.
  • Play category games .

Here are more button activities for kids .

10. Building a Maze

This activity is lots of fun and suitable for any age. It is also going to be way more fun than doing a maze in an activity book, especially for younger children.

Draw a big maze on the paving with sidewalk chalk . Make passages, including one or two that end in a dead-end. Teach your child to find her way out .

Chalk City Sidewalk Chalk, Jumbo Chalk, Non-Toxic, Washable, Art Set (20-Count)

  • 20 PIECES: Our 20-piece set of sidewalk chalk includes 7 different chalk colors and is packaged in a...
  • 7 DIFFERENT COLORS: Choose from 7 different chalk colors and allow your creativity to be limitless whether...

As your child gets better at figuring out a route and finding the way out, make the maze more complex and add more dead-end passages.

Get FREE access to Printable Puzzles, Stories, Activity Packs and more!

Sign up and you’ll receive a downloadable set of printable puzzles, games and short stories , as well as the Learning Through Play Activity Pack which includes an entire year of activities for 3 to 6-year-olds. Access is free forever.

Signing up for a free Grow account is fast and easy and will allow you to bookmark articles to read later, on this website as well as many websites worldwide that use Grow .

Printables and Learning Through Play Activity Pack

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Friday 3rd of June 2022

hi maam , This Is Uma from India,Can i get this in pdf format or a book. Thank You

Tanja Mcilroy

Monday 6th of June 2022

Hi Uma, thanks for your message. These articles are not available in PDF, but you are welcome to copy and paste them from the website, as long as you add the reference: https://empoweredparents.co/problem-solving-activities-preschoolers/ Thanks for reading!

Wednesday 20th of May 2020

Very very useful content. Good work. Thank you.

Friday 22nd of May 2020

Thanks Ann.

Tuesday 19th of May 2020

Would like to download the free activity pack please.

Hi Kelly, Please download the activity pack on this page: www.empoweredparents.co

10 Best Problem-Solving Therapy Worksheets & Activities

Problem solving therapy

Cognitive science tells us that we regularly face not only well-defined problems but, importantly, many that are ill defined (Eysenck & Keane, 2015).

Sometimes, we find ourselves unable to overcome our daily problems or the inevitable (though hopefully infrequent) life traumas we face.

Problem-Solving Therapy aims to reduce the incidence and impact of mental health disorders and improve wellbeing by helping clients face life’s difficulties (Dobson, 2011).

This article introduces Problem-Solving Therapy and offers techniques, activities, and worksheets that mental health professionals can use with clients.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology, including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains:

What is problem-solving therapy, 14 steps for problem-solving therapy, 3 best interventions and techniques, 7 activities and worksheets for your session, fascinating books on the topic, resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message.

Problem-Solving Therapy assumes that mental disorders arise in response to ineffective or maladaptive coping. By adopting a more realistic and optimistic view of coping, individuals can understand the role of emotions and develop actions to reduce distress and maintain mental wellbeing (Nezu & Nezu, 2009).

“Problem-solving therapy (PST) is a psychosocial intervention, generally considered to be under a cognitive-behavioral umbrella” (Nezu, Nezu, & D’Zurilla, 2013, p. ix). It aims to encourage the client to cope better with day-to-day problems and traumatic events and reduce their impact on mental and physical wellbeing.

Clinical research, counseling, and health psychology have shown PST to be highly effective in clients of all ages, ranging from children to the elderly, across multiple clinical settings, including schizophrenia, stress, and anxiety disorders (Dobson, 2011).

Can it help with depression?

PST appears particularly helpful in treating clients with depression. A recent analysis of 30 studies found that PST was an effective treatment with a similar degree of success as other successful therapies targeting depression (Cuijpers, Wit, Kleiboer, Karyotaki, & Ebert, 2020).

Other studies confirm the value of PST and its effectiveness at treating depression in multiple age groups and its capacity to combine with other therapies, including drug treatments (Dobson, 2011).

The major concepts

Effective coping varies depending on the situation, and treatment typically focuses on improving the environment and reducing emotional distress (Dobson, 2011).

PST is based on two overlapping models:

Social problem-solving model

This model focuses on solving the problem “as it occurs in the natural social environment,” combined with a general coping strategy and a method of self-control (Dobson, 2011, p. 198).

The model includes three central concepts:

  • Social problem-solving
  • The problem
  • The solution

The model is a “self-directed cognitive-behavioral process by which an individual, couple, or group attempts to identify or discover effective solutions for specific problems encountered in everyday living” (Dobson, 2011, p. 199).

Relational problem-solving model

The theory of PST is underpinned by a relational problem-solving model, whereby stress is viewed in terms of the relationships between three factors:

  • Stressful life events
  • Emotional distress and wellbeing
  • Problem-solving coping

Therefore, when a significant adverse life event occurs, it may require “sweeping readjustments in a person’s life” (Dobson, 2011, p. 202).

games to teach problem solving skills

  • Enhance positive problem orientation
  • Decrease negative orientation
  • Foster ability to apply rational problem-solving skills
  • Reduce the tendency to avoid problem-solving
  • Minimize the tendency to be careless and impulsive

D’Zurilla’s and Nezu’s model includes (modified from Dobson, 2011):

  • Initial structuring Establish a positive therapeutic relationship that encourages optimism and explains the PST approach.
  • Assessment Formally and informally assess areas of stress in the client’s life and their problem-solving strengths and weaknesses.
  • Obstacles to effective problem-solving Explore typically human challenges to problem-solving, such as multitasking and the negative impact of stress. Introduce tools that can help, such as making lists, visualization, and breaking complex problems down.
  • Problem orientation – fostering self-efficacy Introduce the importance of a positive problem orientation, adopting tools, such as visualization, to promote self-efficacy.
  • Problem orientation – recognizing problems Help clients recognize issues as they occur and use problem checklists to ‘normalize’ the experience.
  • Problem orientation – seeing problems as challenges Encourage clients to break free of harmful and restricted ways of thinking while learning how to argue from another point of view.
  • Problem orientation – use and control emotions Help clients understand the role of emotions in problem-solving, including using feelings to inform the process and managing disruptive emotions (such as cognitive reframing and relaxation exercises).
  • Problem orientation – stop and think Teach clients how to reduce impulsive and avoidance tendencies (visualizing a stop sign or traffic light).
  • Problem definition and formulation Encourage an understanding of the nature of problems and set realistic goals and objectives.
  • Generation of alternatives Work with clients to help them recognize the wide range of potential solutions to each problem (for example, brainstorming).
  • Decision-making Encourage better decision-making through an improved understanding of the consequences of decisions and the value and likelihood of different outcomes.
  • Solution implementation and verification Foster the client’s ability to carry out a solution plan, monitor its outcome, evaluate its effectiveness, and use self-reinforcement to increase the chance of success.
  • Guided practice Encourage the application of problem-solving skills across multiple domains and future stressful problems.
  • Rapid problem-solving Teach clients how to apply problem-solving questions and guidelines quickly in any given situation.

Success in PST depends on the effectiveness of its implementation; using the right approach is crucial (Dobson, 2011).

Problem-solving therapy – Baycrest

The following interventions and techniques are helpful when implementing more effective problem-solving approaches in client’s lives.

First, it is essential to consider if PST is the best approach for the client, based on the problems they present.

Is PPT appropriate?

It is vital to consider whether PST is appropriate for the client’s situation. Therapists new to the approach may require additional guidance (Nezu et al., 2013).

Therapists should consider the following questions before beginning PST with a client (modified from Nezu et al., 2013):

  • Has PST proven effective in the past for the problem? For example, research has shown success with depression, generalized anxiety, back pain, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and supporting caregivers (Nezu et al., 2013).
  • Is PST acceptable to the client?
  • Is the individual experiencing a significant mental or physical health problem?

All affirmative answers suggest that PST would be a helpful technique to apply in this instance.

Five problem-solving steps

The following five steps are valuable when working with clients to help them cope with and manage their environment (modified from Dobson, 2011).

Ask the client to consider the following points (forming the acronym ADAPT) when confronted by a problem:

  • Attitude Aim to adopt a positive, optimistic attitude to the problem and problem-solving process.
  • Define Obtain all required facts and details of potential obstacles to define the problem.
  • Alternatives Identify various alternative solutions and actions to overcome the obstacle and achieve the problem-solving goal.
  • Predict Predict each alternative’s positive and negative outcomes and choose the one most likely to achieve the goal and maximize the benefits.
  • Try out Once selected, try out the solution and monitor its effectiveness while engaging in self-reinforcement.

If the client is not satisfied with their solution, they can return to step ‘A’ and find a more appropriate solution.

Positive self-statements

When dealing with clients facing negative self-beliefs, it can be helpful for them to use positive self-statements.

Use the following (or add new) self-statements to replace harmful, negative thinking (modified from Dobson, 2011):

  • I can solve this problem; I’ve tackled similar ones before.
  • I can cope with this.
  • I just need to take a breath and relax.
  • Once I start, it will be easier.
  • It’s okay to look out for myself.
  • I can get help if needed.
  • Other people feel the same way I do.
  • I’ll take one piece of the problem at a time.
  • I can keep my fears in check.
  • I don’t need to please everyone.

Worksheets for problem solving therapy

5 Worksheets and workbooks

Problem-solving self-monitoring form.

Answering the questions in the Problem-Solving Self-Monitoring Form provides the therapist with necessary information regarding the client’s overall and specific problem-solving approaches and reactions (Dobson, 2011).

Ask the client to complete the following:

  • Describe the problem you are facing.
  • What is your goal?
  • What have you tried so far to solve the problem?
  • What was the outcome?

Reactions to Stress

It can be helpful for the client to recognize their own experiences of stress. Do they react angrily, withdraw, or give up (Dobson, 2011)?

The Reactions to Stress worksheet can be given to the client as homework to capture stressful events and their reactions. By recording how they felt, behaved, and thought, they can recognize repeating patterns.

What Are Your Unique Triggers?

Helping clients capture triggers for their stressful reactions can encourage emotional regulation.

When clients can identify triggers that may lead to a negative response, they can stop the experience or slow down their emotional reaction (Dobson, 2011).

The What Are Your Unique Triggers ? worksheet helps the client identify their triggers (e.g., conflict, relationships, physical environment, etc.).

Problem-Solving worksheet

Imagining an existing or potential problem and working through how to resolve it can be a powerful exercise for the client.

Use the Problem-Solving worksheet to state a problem and goal and consider the obstacles in the way. Then explore options for achieving the goal, along with their pros and cons, to assess the best action plan.

Getting the Facts

Clients can become better equipped to tackle problems and choose the right course of action by recognizing facts versus assumptions and gathering all the necessary information (Dobson, 2011).

Use the Getting the Facts worksheet to answer the following questions clearly and unambiguously:

  • Who is involved?
  • What did or did not happen, and how did it bother you?
  • Where did it happen?
  • When did it happen?
  • Why did it happen?
  • How did you respond?

2 Helpful Group Activities

While therapists can use the worksheets above in group situations, the following two interventions work particularly well with more than one person.

Generating Alternative Solutions and Better Decision-Making

A group setting can provide an ideal opportunity to share a problem and identify potential solutions arising from multiple perspectives.

Use the Generating Alternative Solutions and Better Decision-Making worksheet and ask the client to explain the situation or problem to the group and the obstacles in the way.

Once the approaches are captured and reviewed, the individual can share their decision-making process with the group if they want further feedback.

Visualization

Visualization can be performed with individuals or in a group setting to help clients solve problems in multiple ways, including (Dobson, 2011):

  • Clarifying the problem by looking at it from multiple perspectives
  • Rehearsing a solution in the mind to improve and get more practice
  • Visualizing a ‘safe place’ for relaxation, slowing down, and stress management

Guided imagery is particularly valuable for encouraging the group to take a ‘mental vacation’ and let go of stress.

Ask the group to begin with slow, deep breathing that fills the entire diaphragm. Then ask them to visualize a favorite scene (real or imagined) that makes them feel relaxed, perhaps beside a gently flowing river, a summer meadow, or at the beach.

The more the senses are engaged, the more real the experience. Ask the group to think about what they can hear, see, touch, smell, and even taste.

Encourage them to experience the situation as fully as possible, immersing themselves and enjoying their place of safety.

Such feelings of relaxation may be able to help clients fall asleep, relieve stress, and become more ready to solve problems.

We have included three of our favorite books on the subject of Problem-Solving Therapy below.

1. Problem-Solving Therapy: A Treatment Manual – Arthur Nezu, Christine Maguth Nezu, and Thomas D’Zurilla

Problem-Solving Therapy

This is an incredibly valuable book for anyone wishing to understand the principles and practice behind PST.

Written by the co-developers of PST, the manual provides powerful toolkits to overcome cognitive overload, emotional dysregulation, and the barriers to practical problem-solving.

Find the book on Amazon .

2. Emotion-Centered Problem-Solving Therapy: Treatment Guidelines – Arthur Nezu and Christine Maguth Nezu

Emotion-Centered Problem-Solving Therapy

Another, more recent, book from the creators of PST, this text includes important advances in neuroscience underpinning the role of emotion in behavioral treatment.

Along with clinical examples, the book also includes crucial toolkits that form part of a stepped model for the application of PST.

3. Handbook of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies – Keith Dobson and David Dozois

Handbook of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies

This is the fourth edition of a hugely popular guide to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies and includes a valuable and insightful section on Problem-Solving Therapy.

This is an important book for students and more experienced therapists wishing to form a high-level and in-depth understanding of the tools and techniques available to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists.

For even more tools to help strengthen your clients’ problem-solving skills, check out the following free worksheets from our blog.

  • Case Formulation Worksheet This worksheet presents a four-step framework to help therapists and their clients come to a shared understanding of the client’s presenting problem.
  • Understanding Your Default Problem-Solving Approach This worksheet poses a series of questions helping clients reflect on their typical cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to problems.
  • Social Problem Solving: Step by Step This worksheet presents a streamlined template to help clients define a problem, generate possible courses of action, and evaluate the effectiveness of an implemented solution.
  • 17 Positive Psychology Exercises If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others enhance their wellbeing, check out this signature collection of 17 validated positive psychology tools for practitioners . Use them to help others flourish and thrive.

While we are born problem-solvers, facing an incredibly diverse set of challenges daily, we sometimes need support.

Problem-Solving Therapy aims to reduce stress and associated mental health disorders and improve wellbeing by improving our ability to cope. PST is valuable in diverse clinical settings, ranging from depression to schizophrenia, with research suggesting it as a highly effective treatment for teaching coping strategies and reducing emotional distress.

Many PST techniques are available to help improve clients’ positive outlook on obstacles while reducing avoidance of problem situations and the tendency to be careless and impulsive.

The PST model typically assesses the client’s strengths, weaknesses, and coping strategies when facing problems before encouraging a healthy experience of and relationship with problem-solving.

Why not use this article to explore the theory behind PST and try out some of our powerful tools and interventions with your clients to help them with their decision-making, coping, and problem-solving?

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free .

  • Cuijpers, P., Wit, L., Kleiboer, A., Karyotaki, E., & Ebert, D. (2020). Problem-solving therapy for adult depression: An updated meta-analysis. European P sychiatry ,  48 (1), 27–37.
  • Dobson, K. S. (2011). Handbook of cognitive-behavioral therapies (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
  • Dobson, K. S., & Dozois, D. J. A. (2021). Handbook of cognitive-behavioral therapies  (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
  • Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive psychology: A student’s handbook . Psychology Press.
  • Nezu, A. M., & Nezu, C. M. (2009). Problem-solving therapy DVD . Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/pubs/videos/4310852
  • Nezu, A. M., & Nezu, C. M. (2018). Emotion-centered problem-solving therapy: Treatment guidelines. Springer.
  • Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., & D’Zurilla, T. J. (2013). Problem-solving therapy: A treatment manual . Springer.

' src=

Share this article:

Article feedback

What our readers think.

Saranya

Thanks for your information given, it was helpful for me something new I learned

Let us know your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related articles

Variations of the empty chair

The Empty Chair Technique: How It Can Help Your Clients

Resolving ‘unfinished business’ is often an essential part of counseling. If left unresolved, it can contribute to depression, anxiety, and mental ill-health while damaging existing [...]

games to teach problem solving skills

29 Best Group Therapy Activities for Supporting Adults

As humans, we are social creatures with personal histories based on the various groups that make up our lives. Childhood begins with a family of [...]

Free Therapy Resources

47 Free Therapy Resources to Help Kick-Start Your New Practice

Setting up a private practice in psychotherapy brings several challenges, including a considerable investment of time and money. You can reduce risks early on by [...]

Read other articles by their category

  • Body & Brain (46)
  • Coaching & Application (56)
  • Compassion (26)
  • Counseling (51)
  • Emotional Intelligence (24)
  • Gratitude (18)
  • Grief & Bereavement (21)
  • Happiness & SWB (40)
  • Meaning & Values (26)
  • Meditation (20)
  • Mindfulness (45)
  • Motivation & Goals (45)
  • Optimism & Mindset (33)
  • Positive CBT (27)
  • Positive Communication (20)
  • Positive Education (46)
  • Positive Emotions (31)
  • Positive Leadership (15)
  • Positive Psychology (33)
  • Positive Workplace (34)
  • Productivity (16)
  • Relationships (43)
  • Resilience & Coping (34)
  • Self Awareness (20)
  • Self Esteem (36)
  • Strengths & Virtues (30)
  • Stress & Burnout Prevention (34)
  • Theory & Books (46)
  • Therapy Exercises (37)
  • Types of Therapy (62)

Discovery Play with Littles

Discovery Play with Littles

2:01 pm ·

15 Powerful Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

I looked over to her table and she’s crying. Again. While everyone else is happily working away, she sat there, unable to move, just crying. 

Not asking for help.

Not trying to solve her problem.

Just crying.

I took a deep breath before heading over. We’ve already been at this for several months…isn’t it about time the problem-solving has kicked in yet?

One glance and I could tell what her problem was. She didn’t have her pencil.

Know how I knew?

It laid on the floor beside her. In plain sight.

As a kindergarten teacher, I don’t jump right in and solve problems for kids. It’s good for them to try to solve the problem themselves. This is something she struggled with. 

I reminded myself of the need for patience and empathy as I walked up to her. “What’s wrong, Amanda?” 

“I…can’t…find…my…pencil….” she sputtered out between sobs. 

“Ok, that’s a problem we can solve. What have you tried?” 

“I don’t know.” 

After a long time trying to first, calm her down, and second, come up with some strategies she could try, she finally found her pencil. At that point, everyone else had finished the project. 

Toddlers playing with wooden blocks

What is Problem Solving?

Problem-solving is the process of finding a solution to your problem . This can be quite tricky for some young children, especially those with little experience in finding more than one way to solve a problem.

Why is Problem Solving Important? 

Problem-solving skills are used throughout childhood into adulthood. As adults, we solve problems on a daily basis. Some problems we solve without thinking much- I wanted to make tacos for dinner but forgot to buy the ground beef. What are we going to have for dinner now?

Other problems are significantly more complicated. 

Problems for kiddos can be problems with friendships, the inability to find something that’s needed, or even what to do when things don’t go your way. 

Kids who lack problem-solving skills struggle to maintain friendships or even begin to attempt to solve their own problems. 

Children who lack problem-solving skills are at a higher risk for depression as well.

What Are Problem-Solving Skills?

Problem-solving skills are:

  • Breaking Down a Problem into Smaller Parts
  • Communication
  • Decision-making
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Perseverance

That’s a big list to teach toddlers and preschoolers. Where do you begin?

The Problem-Solving Steps

Sometimes kids are so overwhelmed with frustration that it affects their ability to solve problems.

Kids feel safe in routines, and routines help them learn and grow. After a few times of repeating this routine, you’ll find your kiddo starts to do this on their own. 

It’s important not to skip straight to solving the problem , because your kiddo needs to be in a calm state of mind to solve the problem, and also they need to know their feelings are valid. 

  • The first thing to do when your kiddo is struggling with problem-solving is to validate their emotions.

In doing this, they will feel more understood and learn that their emotions are okay. There are no bad feelings, and we must learn how to manage our emotions. 

This might sound something like “Oh, I can see you are really frustrated that the block won’t fit on there right. Let’s take some deep breaths to help us calm down before we think about what to do next.”

  • Next, work through your calm-down process . This may be taking some deep breaths together, hugging a stuffie, or giving your kiddo some quiet time to calm down their heart and mind.
  • Identify the problem . This sounds like something you may have already done (before the meltdown) but it’s important to be very clear on the problem you’re solving. Have the child tell you their problem out loud.
  • Move on to solution-finding . When your kiddo is ready, talk about what the problem is and three possible solutions. When possible, let your kiddo do all of the talking. This allows him to practice his problem-solving skills. It’s important to remind him that the first thing he tries may not work, and that’s ok. There’s always another way to solve the problem. If he’s prepared for this, solutions that don’t work won’t be such a frustrating experience. 
  • After you’ve done that, test your solutions one by one. See what works. If you haven’t found a solution yet, go back and think of different ways you might be able to solve your problem and try again.

games to teach problem solving skills

Are you tired of hearing “It’s TOO HARD!” followed by a meltdown?

Using this one simple phrase you’ll get in this powerful lesson, you’ll not only be able to help your kiddo not give up but you’ll:

>Activate their superpower of perseverance so that they can turn around a meltdown and keep trying

>Inspire them to use perseverance …even when it’s hard

>Teach them to recognize the warning signs of giving up , and how to turn it around by taking control of their choices.

Grab your powerful FREE video lesson to teach your kiddo one of the most powerful keys to perseverance.

Powerful Activities that Teach Problem-Solving Skills to Toddlers & Preschoolers

These activities below may look simple, but don’t let that deter you from trying them. A lot happens in little developing brains and these powerful activities help toddlers and preschoolers make connections and develop {many} essential skills-more than just problem-solving.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.  

Puzzles are fun and a great way to encourage cognitive development in children. They are great for spacial reasoning and strengthening problem-solving skills. They also develop memory skills, critical thinking, and the ability to plan and execute the plan. Toddlers will enjoy the simple puzzles, and preschoolers will do great with floor puzzles with larger puzzle pieces.

games to teach problem solving skills

Doing Simple Chores

Doing simple chores is a great way to teach children problem-solving skills, and it strengthens responsibility and perseverance as well. 

During the toddler years , you may start with just picking up their toys, or helping you put their dirty clothes in the hamper. 

Preschoolers can take their dirty dishes to the sink (or load them in the dishwasher), collect the trash, dust, wipe baseboards, and do their own personal care items like making their bed, taking care of their dirty clothes, and putting clean clothes away.

Stacking Rings

When watching a toddler play with stacking rings it doesn’t look like much is happening, but playing with these toys is full of ways to encourage development. It helps with visual and spacial perception and planning ahead, but it also with balance control, crossing the midline, creative play, and gross motor skills. Not to mention it’s a great opportunity to practice problem-solving. 

games to teach problem solving skills

Playing Hide-and-Seek

Hide and seek has many surprising benefits for kids. Playing hide and seek is like a treasure hunt that helps develop gross motor skills and encourages physical development, as well as problem-solving skills. It also helps young children develop visual tracking, working memory, and social-emotional skills.

Preschooler playing construction worker

Imaginative Play

Imaginative play (also called role-play) builds important skills. Through pretending to be in different situations, kids develop social skills, emotional skills, better communication, and problem-solving skills. Imaginative play is a great idea for young toddlers all the way to older children.

Free Play 

Many young children don’t have {enough} time for free play. Free play is important for healthy brain development , not only developing imagination, cooperation, physical skills, and independence but also providing a great opportunity to strengthen problem-solving skills. 

Playing with Wooden Blocks

Building blocks are a fun way for children to develop creative thinking, imagination, problem-solving, fine motor skills, and if working with others, cooperation, communication, and friendship.

games to teach problem solving skills

Playing Memory

Memory games improve attention, focus, visual recognition, and concentration. It helps children recognize details and of course, strengthens problem-solving skills. 

games to teach problem solving skills

Ask Questions

When I see my son struggling with something, my first instinct is to give him choices or at least lead him in the right direction. The better thing to do is to ask very open-ended questions that lead his process, not his thoughts.

Questions like “What’s one way to solve your problem?” are much more effective in teaching problem-solving skills than “Well, where did you last see your stuffy?” 

Read Books and Social Stories

Reading books is one of my favorite ways to teach any skill. It’s extremely effective at teaching, and it’s also an amazing bonding time with kids.

When we read stories, our brain reacts as if we’re living in the story. This is why reading books about skills such as problem-solving is so effective. 

Kids of all ages learn from the people they love . (Yes, even those older kids who you don’t think are paying attention.) Often as adults, we’re too busy going through our daily routine to think about talking about the way we solved the problem at work that day.

Talking about how you use skills such as problem-solving, perseverance, and integrity is a great way to set an example, and an expectation that this is how we do things, and it will provide encouragement for your kiddo to do the same.

Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are a great group activity that can strengthen your child’s logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

When Your Kiddo is Ready, Add These Activities

Preschoolers would benefit from all of the fun activities on the list above and when they’re ready, feel free to add in the following activities.   

Mazes are great for problem-solving and perseverance, but your kiddo will need to have decent fine motor skills to do these activities. Mazes are one of our favorite activities. We love to take our activity book of mazes in the car with us for road trips. 

games to teach problem solving skills

Board Games  

Board games are a good way to strengthen problem-solving, teamwork, planning skills, patience, sportsmanship, and communication skills. They also strengthen family relationships by providing some intentional time of connection .

Any board game can also be turned into an academic game with just a deck of cards for whatever skill you’re working on. If you’re working on the alphabet, put one letter on each card. Before each player’s turn, they draw a letter card and say the letter’s name. (You may accidentally forget the name of a letter every now and then to see if your kiddo is really paying attention!) 

Allow Opportunities for Hands-On Investigations

Kids are tactile. They love to touch and explore things with their hands. This is a good activity for toddlers also, as long as they are out of the putting everything in their mouth stage. Hands-on exploration is great for language development, sensory exploration, and problem-solving.

Allowing kids to investigate with their hands allows them to see how the world works up close. It also gives them time and space to try to make things work…and problem-solve when it doesn’t go as they think it should.

The Most Difficult Way (and Most Important Way) To Strengthen Problem-Solving Skills

Watching our kids struggle is hard ! We don’t want to see them having a hard time…and most of the time we don’t want to deal with the impending meltdown. Standing back and giving our kids time and space to work through even simple problems is hard to do. It’s also the most important way to strengthen problem-solving skills. 

As parents, we’re like frogs in boiling water. When our kids are infants, they need us to recognize their needs and solve them immediately. As they get older, they can point to what they want, but we still have a lot of interpreting and problem-solving to do on our own. If we aren’t careful, we stay in this stage and don’t teach our kiddos the steps to problem-solving for themselves. 

The next most difficult thing? Allowing natural consequences to happen. (As long as your child is safe of course.) If your child saves their money for a long time to buy a new toy, but walks down the toy aisle and picks up something you know they’ll be disappointed with, let it happen. It will teach a valuable lesson that will last for years to come.

Another Essential Part of Problem-Solving

Perseverance is a big part of problem-solving. We are rarely able to solve problems the first time, and it’s essential that kids can find more than one solution to a problem. Studies have found that perseverance is actually the biggest predictor of success, even more than aptitude or raw talent. 

An entire module is dedicated to perseverance in our course for kids, Super Kid Adventures . Your kiddo will get 25 teacher-led lessons on character traits (perseverance, empathy, friendship, responsibility, and wellness) and activities that take their learning further. 

Super Kid Adventures

Want a free preview? Grab a FREE Perseverance video lesson that teaches your kiddo one of the most important secrets that help them use perseverance.

Want More? 

If you like this, you’ll love: 

The Ultimate List of Books that Teach Perseverance

7 Simple Ways to Encourage Independence in Young Children

How to Help Your Child Develop Self-Help Skills

Your Turn 

What are your favorite ways to teach problem-solving skills?

' src=

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a mama of two boys, a former teacher, and the founder of Discovery Play with Littles. Her mission is to make raising kids with character simple and fun. Join us for our best learning through play ideas, character growth activities, and family connection ideas so you can watch your child thrive.

Reader Interactions

' src=

As a SLP trying to guide parents as I work with their child. I would like to know what toys to recommend to my parents as I assist in guiding their child’s development in cognition and expressive language.

Free Perseverance Lesson

Perseverance is the biggest predictor of success, even more than raw talent or aptitude.

Grab a FREE lesson to teach your kiddo one of the keys to perseverance...which is how we talk to our brains.

They'll learn what to say when they encounter something difficult, and why it's so important.

PLAY is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. -Mr. Rogers

Just added to your cart

CircuitMess

Educational Subscription Lines

games to teach problem solving skills

Wacky Robots

games to teach problem solving skills

How to Teach Your Kid Problem-Solving Skills Through Games and Activities

You've decided to teach your kids problem-solving skills, but you're not 100% sure where to start? What kind of problem-solving activities are best for kids? Are there any games that can be helpful to developing problem solving skills?

If you're asking yourself these questions, we've got just what you need - a complete guide on how to teach your kids to solve problems, improve their thinking skills, and raise little problem-solvers who are ready to take on the world of the future.

This includes problem-solving scenarios and games kids can play, as well as straightforward strategies you can easily implement.

Let's start first by taking a look at the importance of teaching problem-solving skills at a young age.

Guide on teaching your kids problem-solving skills

Why is problem-solving important for kids?

The chances are you already know that teaching problem-solving skills to your kids can hugely benefit them later in life. Learning these skills will help lay the foundation for all their future endeavours and help them gain new skills easier than ever before.

Now, how exactly does learning problem-solving skills impact kids?

Their critical thinking is improved . Kids will be able to better analyze different situations and come up with clever solutions. This is crucial for kids to learn new decision-making skills.

They develop a "can-do" attitude . If there's an obstacle in their way, they won't give up until they overcome it. Learning problem-solving skills will help them bounce back from any future setbacks and stay focused on their goals.

They learn how to communicate. As the kids work with each other to solve problems, they'll pick up some invaluable social skills, including empathy and teamwork.

Their confidence will skyrocket. When kids successfully take on difficult challenges, they build their self-confidence and are more self-assured when a new challenge appears.

They approach complex subjects with a systematic and analytical mindset . This is huge for when your kids get a bit older and start attending high schools and universities.

To sum this up, teaching problem-solving skills to kids at a young age is exactly what helps them become little superheroes as they grow up. They'll be more resilient, they won't give up, they'll try to find as many solutions as possible, and they'll always look at the problem from a few different perspectives.

But what kind of games and activities can help kids pick up these skills?

Let's find out!

3 problem-solving practice scenarios for kids

Engaging your kids in problem-solving scenarios can have a hugely positive impact on their development. They'll be provided with a safe, risk-free environment where they can work on their critical thinking skills and come up with new creative solutions.

Here are a few problem-solving activities where kids can start strategizing solutions, analyzing different scenarios, and collaborating with other children.

Scenario #1: Team Cleanup

Here's an excellent team building activity for your kids - Team Cleanup! This is the perfect scenario for teaching your kids motor skills and making actions based on verbal instructions. Plus, it'll be extremely fun.

Now, the entire scenario revolves around transforming the mundane tasks of tidying up into fun and creative problem solving activities for kids. This helps them better work together with other kids and improves their critical thinking skills.

Problem solving scenario for kids - Team cleanup

How to play Team Cleanup?

Here is the step-by-step formula for a perfect Team Cleanup game.

Set the time limit. Add a sense of urgency to this scenario by introducing a time limit. This guarantees a fun challenge where children begin problem-solving just to beat the time limit and get the reward waiting for them at the finish line.

Assign tasks . A cleanup is more than just a chore for kids - especially when you introduce tasks, time limits, and rewards. Divide the responsibilities among the children and encourage them to be team players. They'll get different tasks based on what they can and like to do - pick up toys, fold blankets, put away their art supplies, and so on.

Encourage communication . Make sure the kids interact with each other. One of the, undeniably, most important skills they can gain is to be easy to work with. Let kids know that they need to share ideas, ask for help when needed, and update you on their progress. For example, you could say that they need to report back to you every 10 minutes.

Create obstacles . As kids dive into cleaning activities, they'll face various challenges. And to make things even more interesting, you can set up these obstacles and observe how your kids are solving problems. For example, this could be a cluttered corner with a ton of toys, supplies, and other stuff.

The Team Cleanup scenario helps nurture your kids' basic life skills and instills a positive attitude towards responsibilities. Even though this may seem as too easy for kids to gain real life skills - remember, nothing's easy when you're a 5-year-old.

P.S. Here's a great resource where you can find out how to include STEM toys in your kids' play scenarios !

Scenario #2: Lost & found

Lost & Found is a great imaginative game that will make kids put on their detective hats and start solving some mysteries. This simple game will help tap into your kids curiosity and sharpen their problem-solving abilities in a fun way.

This game is appropriate for all kids of different age groups, so regardless of how old your kid is, this activity is perfect to teach problem-solving skills.

Problem-solving scenario for kids - lost & found

How to play Lost & Found?

Create clues. You'll need to create a series of interesting clues around your house (or backyard) that will be relatively challenging for your kids to solve. This can include puzzles, riddles, or just some wordplay that can lead them to the next clue.

Hide the "lost" items. Find various spots to place the "lost" items. Ensure they are well-hidden, but not too difficult to find. Keep your kid's age and abilities in mind when choosing the hiding spots.

Give the 1st clue. The entire game starts by giving out the first clue. Kids will need to decipher it if they want to continue with this game.

Celebrate discoveries. Whenever kids discover a "lost" item, a celebration is due! Think about introducing small rewards or treats for successfully deciphering clues.

This problem-solving scenario is incredibly simple, but it has a ton of benefits for kids. It requires that they analyze clues, engage in critical thinking, and connect all the pieces to find solutions to the presented challenges.

And if they play this game with other kids, they can brainstorm solutions together, learn how to work in a team, and resolve problems simply by playing.

Scenario #3: The unreachable toy

The Unreachable Toy scenario will put your kids' minds to the test and spark their creativity. In this challenge, kids will need to navigate the obstacle course and identify the best way to reach the toy. There will be some wrong answers - but it's exactly what they need.

Every action has its natural consequences, so try to encourage them to creatively solve problems by looking at their surroundings, identifying all problem-solving steps, and questioning their methods.

Problem-solving scenario for kids - the unreachable toy

How to play The Unreachable Toy?

Choose a toy . This is one of the pretend play scenarios where the toy doesn't actually have to be out of reach. But, to better engage their imagination, you can place it on a high shelf, trap it behind an obstacle, or hide it in a certain location.

Create the challenge . You'll need to start by setting the scene. Explain why a toy seems unreachable, what kind of obstacles kids could face, and give them a few hints. This is perfect to engage your kids' problem-solving skills and test your child's ability to navigate through challenges.

Brainstorm solutions . This is the fun part. You'll get a direct look into your kids' problem-solving process and find out how they're approaching this challenge.

Experiment with different solutions . As your kids try out different approaches, they'll find out that their solutions may not work at all times. It's a perfect opportunity for kids to learn how to solve a problem independently. This will help them come up with different strategies and be a bit more creative whenever they need to solve their own problems.

The Unreachable Toy is a great challenge where kids can put their own problem-solving strategies to test and set the foundation for other skills that will hugely benefit them in life - decision-making, resilience, and critical thinking.

5 problem-solving games for kids

Kids love playing games. And what better way to teach problem-solving skills than through games?

We've handpicked 5 most fun problem-solving activities for kids that will help them gain a new important skill - while playing with their friends! Here's the list.

Game #1: Puzzles

Puzzles have for long been praised as one of the best brain-teasers for kids (and adults). They encourage logic, patience, and creativity - making them a perfect medium to teach problem-solving for kids.

When choosing the puzzle, select one that matches your child's age and interests. Usually, every puzzle box contains age recommendations, so pay attention to that when choosing one.

And once you open the puzzle and start assembling the pieces, your kids will have the perfect opportunity to observe different patterns, think about how various colors and shapes can work together, and hone their visual perception skills.

Guide them to start first with the borders or to first sort pieces by color or edge shapes. This will help them plan the puzzle before they take a deep dive.

Finishing a puzzle requires patience and perseverance. Encourage your kids not to give up when facing a difficulty and to finish what they start. Even though it's a simple game, it can teach your kids a lot about staying focused, always keeping in mind the big picture, and never giving up.

Problem-solving game for kids - puzzles

Game #2: Maze

Just like puzzles, maze games are praised as one of the best problem-solving activities for kids. They'll help kids strategize, gain spatial awareness, and come up with creative solutions to their unique problems.

There are many mazes you can build, but be sure to select one that matches your child's ability and age, since it can easily become too complex. And if you're wondering where to find different mazes, here are a few ideas on how to create your own maze .

As kids try to navigate through your newly-created maze, they'll need to embrace the trial and error process. They'll hit a dead-end many times, so planning wisely should be their top priority.

Even though mazes are one of the simplest problem-solving activities for kids, they are a treasure trove of developmental benefits. They help kids master spatial awareness, improve their problem-solving skills, and instill patience and hand-eye coordination. Extremely beneficial for toddlers and preschoolers!

Problem-solving games for kids - a tape maze

Image source: https://craftivitydesigns.com/

Game #3: Rubik’s Cube

Let's be honest - not everyone can successfully solve a Rubik's Cube. It doesn't happen on accident and there are several key skills and patterns you need to master before you can succeed. This is exactly why using Rubik's Cube to teach problem-solving for kids is a perfect way to ensure your kids can thrive whenever faced with a new challenge.

Before they even start, your kids will need to get familiar with the Rubik's Cube - its structure, colors, and basic movements. Introduce your kids to the notation used to describe the cube movements (R, L, U, D, F, B - right, left, upper, lower, front, backface)

Start with solving just one layer at a time. And all that's left is to practice until it's finished. And if your kids seem to have a great time playing with the Rubik's Cube, teach them some advanced methods like the Fridrich or Roux method.

It's incredible how a small cube toy can have such a huge impact on kids' cognitive development. It helps kids hone their analytical skills and come up with their own problem-solving framework. Give it some time and in a few weeks - they'll have their own way of solving a Rubik's Cube.

And solving it simply takes time when you're a beginner. There are many speedcubers who can do it in less than 10 seconds, but let's not set the bar that high for the start.

Problem-solving game for kids - The Rubik's Cube

Game #4: Chess

Chess is a beautiful game enjoyed by kids and adults of all ages and interests. Once used by the mighty Persian Empire to entertain generals and improve their strategic thinking - now it's one of the most popular board games enjoyed by millions across the globe.

And chess is much more than simply a game. It's a journey of strategic thinking and problem-solving where young minds can develop highly valuable skills they'll use later in life.

To start, introduce your kids to the board and familiarize them with the different chess pieces. They'll need to learn how each of them moves, when they can capture the opponent's pieces, and how to utlimately checkmate the opponent's king piece.

The best thing you can do for start is teach your kids about some simple openings and strategies and take time to explain the situation they're in after every move. They'll start to think about different approaches, test different strategies, and learn a few valuable lessons along the way.

And remember - the most important aspect of playing chess is playing it regularly. With every new game, they'll get better. Regardless if they win or lose the game, they'll have a new trick up their sleeve the next time they play.

Problem-solving games for kids - chess

Game #5: Build a tower

When you ask adults what was one of their favorite activities when they were kids, you'll often hear "building a fort" or "building a tower". And isn't that something?

Do you remember the joyous feeling when you would use every possible thing in your house to build a high tower? Chairs, tables, toys, everything was a valid building block.

Now, it's time for your kids to unleash their inner architect.

Gather all the "building blocks", LEGO bricks (if you have them), stackable materials, toys, and so on.

Give them a specific challenge. Whether it's a bridge, a tall tower, a fort, a specific building. Or let them simply engage in free play. This is the time where you need to let them be creative and have their imagination flowing. and when they do build a tower, don't forget to reward them!

To keep this even more interesting, you can test the stability of their tower. Either gently tap on the tower or start blowing on it to see if it stands tall. If it falls, this is yet another challenge for your young architects where they need to think about how to solve this problem and make it more stable.

Not only will this activity help your kids think about different possible outcomes and try to find a better solution, it will help their gross motor skills and foster concentration and focus . Kids love building because that's when their imagination can run wild and the end results are tangible - a new tower overlooking your living room.

And if your kids are already interested in building things, they'll get into robotics

Problem-solving games for kids - building a tower

Problem-solving teaching strategies for kids of all ages

By now, we've established that teaching kids about solving problems can have a hugely positive benefit on your kids' development. As parents and educators, our role is a crucial one. It's up to us to equip kids for success and teach them how to react when they face a new problem.

Here are some of our handpicked teaching strategies that can help your kids develop problem-solving abilities.

Go step-by-step through the entire scenario

Start by breaking down problems into smaller, more manageable steps. Whether it's a puzzle, an object they need to reach, or a conflict with other kids - we need to encourage them to approach this problem methodically.

Ideally, we want our kids to analyze the situation, brainstorm a few solutions, and implement the best approach one step at the time.

Remember, break it down into simpler, smaller steps they can easily recognize.

Write down what didn’t work

A failure is never just that - it's an opportunity for growth. When your kids hit a roadblock and don't know what to do - often, the best idea is to write down the process and note what didn't work. Once that's done, they can immediately move forward with another idea and build resilience through their mistakes.

Revisit past problem-solving scenarios

Your kids have hit a "brick wall" and seem to be unable to move forward with their challenge? Talk with them about their previous challenges, how they solved them, what was their logic previously, and if they can apply that strategy to the current task.

They'll immediately start recalling past challenges and methods they used to solve them. All they need sometimes is a small "push" to reinforce their techniques and build upon previous experiences.

Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions are perfect for testing your kids' imagination. A simple open-ended question can supercharge their minds and help them analyze a situation from a few different perspectives. This simple action broadens their problem-solving horizons and helps them get the most out of their imagination.

Raise little problem-solvers with our help

Helping parents teach problem-solving skills to their kids is one of our greatest missions. Not only these simple activities can help foster a growth mindset, but you have the chance to make learning fun for your kids.

Kids often look for parents' approval when they're at a young age, and with our support, they can grow up to be resilient, curious, and creative problem-solvers.

To help your kids more easily adopt the skills of the future, we've created the best DIY play kits you can find on the internet. And if your kids are already avid video game players , this could be a great alternative for them!

For kids aged 9 and older, we've created Wacky Robots  subscription as a perfect introduction to STEM sciences. In this affordable subscription, your kids will get new tools and equipment to build a new STEM toy every single month.

And for kids aged 11 and older (including you), there's something even more interesting - the STEM Box . Every 3 months, we'll send you a DIY box containing all the parts and instructions you need to build something extremely fun. 

CircuitMess DIY STEM box for teaching kids about problem-solving

Getting kids interested in STEM and problem-solving in their early childhood is crucial for the development of their cognitive abilities. Our goal as parents is to prepare our kids for the outside world - and we all know it's riddled with endless problems. So, get familiar with CircuitMess and find out exactly how we can help you raise little problem-solvers and prepare them for a successful life.

  • Share Share on Facebook
  • Tweet Tweet on Twitter
  • Pin it Pin on Pinterest

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

  • Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
  • Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.

Teaching Problem Solving Skills for Kids the Ultimate Guide

Hey there, little problem-solvers! Imagine your brain as a superhero headquarters where problems are challenges waiting to be conquered.

Today, we’re going to dive into the world of problem-solving skills – the secret powers that make you a superhero in the game of life!

Why are Problem-Solving Skills Important in Early Childhood?

Picture this: you’re the captain of your ship, and problem-solving skills are your navigation tools.

These skills help you sail through the sea of challenges, making you independent, super smart, and ready for anything that comes your way.

They’re not just skills; they’re your superhero gear for life’s adventures! See below list for more details.

Helps to Think Critically

Developing problem-solving skills in early childhood is essential for children to develop the ability to think critically and logically.

Problem-solving skills help children find solutions to everyday issues, such as how to solve a complicated math equation or fix a practical problem.

Helps with life lessons

Problem-solving skills also provide children valuable life lessons on better managing difficult situations as they mature into adulthood.

They learn that it’s ok to experiment with different approaches when faced with a challenge and eventually come up with the best possible solution.

Allows to use creativity and imagination

Solid problem-solving abilities allow children to use creativity and imagination when faced with challenging tasks rather than relying solely on instructions presented by adults to guide them.

This teaches them to make decisions based on their judgment and reasoning rather than succumbing to peer pressure or unthinkingly following orders.

Helps to think outside the box

By developing early childhood problem-solving skills, children can think outside the box, which helps them build self-confidence, an essential part of development as they grow older.

When allowed independent thought without fear of failure or criticism from other people, they are more likely to take risks and ultimately reach their full potential throughout life.

Lays the foundation for success

Investing in developing problem-solving skills in early childhood will lay the foundation for success for children later in life since good problem-solving skills are essential in many college courses and professional careers in all industries.

Like, medical research, engineering, and computer science up through management jobs or CEO roles where decision making is critical.

Role of Problem-Solving Skills in Holistic Development

Let’s connect the dots between problem-solving skills and your superhero team – cognitive development .

Just like superheroes need strong teamwork, your brain’s problem-solving skills work with cognitive development to make you a master thinker and decision-maker. It’s like having a dynamic duo inside your head!

Ultimately it will boost your child’s Holistic Development !

Key Aspects of Problem-Solving Skills Development

Identification of problems.

Think of this as your superhero radar. Teaching you to identify problems is like giving you the power to spot challenges from a mile away.

Activities like treasure hunts or detective games can help you become a problem-finding expert. Why? Because superheroes need to know what they’re up against!

Generation of Solutions

Now, it’s time to put on your inventor’s hat! Guiding you to generate solutions is like giving you a toolbox full of ideas.

Brainstorming sessions, role-play scenarios, or solving riddles are like workouts for your creative muscles. The more solutions you think of, the stronger and more creative you become!

Decision Making

Welcome to the superhero control center! Decision-making is choosing the best tool from your toolbox.

Weighing pros and cons, using decision-making charts, or even flipping a coin (yes, superheroes can be a bit whimsical!) are ways to make sure you pick the perfect solution. Decision-making makes you the captain of your ship!

Evaluation and Learning

After every adventure, superheroes gather to share their stories. Evaluating outcomes and learning from experiences is like your superhero debriefing session.

Reflective discussions help you understand what worked and what didn’t, making you wiser for the next challenge. Learning from experiences is how superheroes become legends!

Strategies to Teach Problem Solving Skills

Now, let’s talk about the superhero training camp!

Teaching problem-solving strategies is a critical component of early childhood problem-solving. Strategizing will help a child break down a complicated issue into smaller and more manageable steps, making finding solutions much more accessible.

Strategies like brainstorming, breaking tasks into small steps, or trying different approaches can promote creative thinking and teach children how to persevere when faced with a challenge.

Provide Guided Support

When teaching problem-solving skills to young children, it is essential to provide guided support throughout the process.

Although it might be tempting to jump in and provide solutions, offering guidance instead can help foster a feeling of autonomy for your little ones.

Ask them questions about their ideas and encourage them to come up with solutions on their own.

Encourage Open Communication

Open communication between yourself and your child is another critical component to successful problem-solving in early childhood.

You want your little one to be comfortable bringing any questions or concerns directly to you instead of bottling it up or feeling too intimidated or embarrassed to speak up.

Encourage them to talk openly about anything troubling them — whether figuring out how many pieces are left after you cut a cake into eight slices or thinking through their feelings when someone makes fun of them at school.

Talk About Feelings

It’s also important that young kids learn how each emotion manifests differently as soon as possible — this will enable them to act appropriately regardless of their environment or circumstance.

Talk about negative emotions (ex: anger) if something has upset them and positive feelings (ex: excitement) if they have accomplished something great like mastering a new skill or puzzle!

This exercise will encourage verbalization and increase understanding of self-regulation techniques, which will prove helpful far beyond primary school age.

Ways to Teach Problem-Solving Skills To Preschoolers

Learning how to solve problems is one of the essential skills your child will ever develop. After all, problem-solving and critical thinking are vital components of successful learning in any subject ranging from mathematics to social studies.

To help your child build those skills and gain a better understanding of problem-solving, here are seven tips that you should consider:

1. Break down complex tasks and concepts: 

Complex tasks and concepts such as counting or sorting objects can be tricky for preschoolers to understand.

It is essential to break these tasks into smaller and more manageable pieces that preschoolers can easily understand.

2. Create games: 

Games are a great way to encourage problem-solving skills in preschoolers. Incorporating puzzles, drawing activities, or letter identification games can be fun for kids while also helping them practice their problem-solving skills.

Puzzles are excellent tools for teaching young minds about problem-solving strategies. For example, you could attempt jigsaw puzzles or logic games like Sudoku or Chess.

3. Ask open-ended questions: 

Asking open-ended questions encourages preschoolers to think creatively and come up with answers independently without being given all the correct answers upfront.

Questions such as “What do you think will happen if you move this block?” allow kids to explore and experiment before they figure out the answer themselves.

4. Utilize trial and error: 

Preschoolers learn best through trial and error-based problem-solving approaches; instead of immediately answering, let them try different solutions to see the result themselves!

5. Encourage collaboration over the competition: 

Collaborative problem-solving is vital for promoting problem-solving skills in preschoolers; it helps children establish cooperative relationships by encouraging teamwork over competition!

6. Make use of props :  

Props such as Legos, dolls, or even stuffed animals are valuable tools for teaching problem-solving strategies; these items allow children to build upon what they’ve learned visually!

Furthermore, using props also gives kids something tangible they can refer back to while playing or completing tasks with others who may not have seen what was built previously!

7. Celebrate each success : 

Problem-solving is a process of trial and error – don’t get discouraged if preschoolers make mistakes along the way; instead, celebrate every small success they have to keep motivation high!

8.   Teach Them to Break Problems Down into Smaller Parts

Sometimes a complex problem can seem overwhelming for children. Teaching them how to break down a significant issue into smaller pieces makes it easier to understand and focus on one task at a time.

Encourage them to divide each problem into steps that can be completed individually – this can give them the confidence they need to tackle the challenge head-on.

Simple Activities To Teach Problem-Solving To Your Preschooler

As you plan activities for your preschooler to help them become creative and efficient problem solvers, it’s essential to remember that this process never stops.

Therefore, it’s crucial to maximize their early development. Here are some simple activities you can use to teach your preschooler problem-solving skills.

Drawing Links Between Ideas: 

This activity gets kids used to figuring out how different ideas are connected and relies on creativity rather than knowledge of many specific facts.

Get a whiteboard or paper and divide it into four equal quadrants. In each of the four corners, have the child draw a picture related to other images on the board (e.g., a bird in one corner and a nest in another).

Ask the child how all objects relate by drawing lines from one thing to another where appropriate (e.g., from the nest to the bird).

Word Puzzles: 

Word puzzles encourage kids to figure out patterns between words as well as help them learn new sight words, and reinforce spelling when they write down their answers. Print off simple word puzzles for your child, such as crossword puzzles, Mad Libs stories, or Scattergories lists with prompts or objects your preschooler might know, like animals, colors, and shapes.

After they finish writing down their answers depending on the puzzle, either set up the rules where applicable (Scattergories) or read their story aloud (Mad Libs).

Pairing Relatable Subjects: 

Have your child select two categories they enjoy – favorite animal names and superhero names are usually easy picks – then create pairs made up of items within those categories by positioning one thing right above or beside its counterpart (e.g., Black Panther with Panther).

Next, allow them to check if these relational pairs hold throughout these categories by creating charts using Post-it notes while also letting them elaborate why they think specific pairings might not be proper at times –such as wondering why The Flash doesn’t have a Pet Flash.

Loose Parts Play Space: 

Loose parts play is an ideal way for preschoolers to learn about problem-solving, motivate experimentation and build self-regulation skills through unstructured play that promotes discovery and exploration instead of enforcing completion goals; all projects here are successful regardless of the result!

Get some loose parts –think art supplies like tape, feathers, sequins, etc., building blocks are great, too– from around the house, such as empty boxes/bottles/cans with lids/paper towel rolls, etc. Now give them an open invitation, “Build me something!” so they can explore their ideas!

Examples Of Problem-Solving In Early Childhood

1. working out how to put together a toy or game that siblings have taken apart:  .

Toddlers will often have to use their problem-solving skills to figure out how all the pieces of their toys go back together, as they’ve likely been taken apart or mixed up by older siblings.

2. Making decisions between two similar activities they both want to do: 

Young children often try to determine which action is better when presented with two toys or activities they want to engage in.

This could include picking between two colors for a building block set or deciding which book should be read first in storytime.

3. Determining how far away an object is: 

Toddlers need to learn about spatial relations, and determining how far away something is from them can be tricky but essential for their development; this includes things like being able to gauge when someone is too close or too far away from them.

As well recognizing when an object is within arms reach of them vs. needing help getting it down from a higher shelf.

4. Creating solutions to move on from complex emotional states: 

Even in early childhood, problem-solving can extend beyond physical objects and come into play making decisions about their own feelings and emotional states.

Finding ways to manage strong emotions during temper tantrums, peaceful resolution strategies during quarrels with other children, and coming up with creative solutions to work through boredom or loneliness while at daycare/preschool.

Obstacles in Problem-Solving Skills Development and Solutions

Sometimes, young minds face obstacles on their problem-solving journey. Overcoming fear of failure, lack of independent thinking opportunities, or excessive guidance from adults is key.

Promoting a growth mindset, providing open-ended tasks, and allowing children to make mistakes and learn from them are strategies that transform obstacles into stepping stones for success.

Problem-Solving Skills and School Readiness

As kids embark on their school journey, problem-solving skills become their trusty companions. These skills influence academic performance by fostering critical thinking, logical reasoning, and adaptability.

The ability to handle school-related challenges is heightened, setting the stage for a successful and fulfilling educational adventure.

So, little problem-solvers, the world is your puzzle, and you’ve got the pieces. With each challenge, you’re not just finding solutions – you’re discovering the superhero within.

Keep exploring, keep solving, and get ready for a future filled with exciting adventures and triumphant victories!

I’m a former teacher with a background in child development and a passion for creating engaging and educational activities for children. I strongly understand child development and know how to create activities to help children learn and grow. Spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and volunteering in my community.

Join our active Facebook group for creative and fun activities, games, and other child development ideas.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Our Mission

Using Games and Design Challenges to Teach Students About Managing Conflict

By introducing students to activities that scaffold conflict, teachers can provide low-stakes lessons to prepare kids to navigate it in healthy ways.

Students compete in a cup stacking game

As second-grade teachers, we know that our students are exploring new relationships, changing social dynamics, and feeling the emotional weight that these interactions can have. Our students often encounter conflict as we ask them to take risks, stand up for what they believe in, and share their thoughts and opinions. With this in mind, we created and piloted a three-pronged hands-on approach to building both comfort and skills around managing conflict.

Our approach includes cooperative games and design challenges as well as good-to-know and problem jars. Each part is designed to allow our students to encounter consistent developmentally appropriate and varying types of conflict in order to build problem-solving skills. Throughout each activity, students are put in a variety of mixed groupings where they are confronted with increasingly complex challenges, last-minute changes, and peer leadership opportunities that shift the social dynamics. We are excited to share our approach and help other teachers implement these ideas.

The first few weeks of the year are all about community-building, developing routines, and getting to know our students better as people and learners. Cooperative games are a fantastic way to help students build relationships and begin to collaborate together as a group. As we thought through where we wanted to start, we knew that we wanted to focus on cooperative games that were easy to prepare, low cost, and easy to introduce and play quickly as either a whole or partial group. We wanted students to practice thinking flexibly, shifting roles, and finding success and failure collectively.

Some of our favorite games are the balloon challenge, the colored dots game, and the airplane game. While we introduced many of these games throughout the first semester, we revisited more complex versions, adjusted group sizes, and pushed our students to work through challenges with increasing independence as the year progressed.

Having had some experience with design challenges in the past, we knew that we could use them to push students in unique ways, and these activities tend to be excellent breeding grounds for conflict. We also love that they provide students an opportunity to work in small, fluid groupings and complete a challenge together using varying materials that are low cost and common.

Starting Point

To begin, students are introduced to the challenge and have a five-minute brainstorming period in which they create a plan as a group. After five minutes have lapsed, students then get their materials and begin creating for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the challenge. There is never a winner who is celebrated or recognized; instead, we commend students for working together. Once the timer has ended, students reflect upon the process through both a group discussion and independently as part of an exit ticket.

Examples of design challenges that our students love are cup stacking, the Play-Doh–and–toothpick building challenge, and the egg-drop challenge . We found that both assigning leadership roles within their groups and increasing the difficulty level pushed students to overcome new challenges and discomfort. Feel free to be inspired by these activities, but change them as you see fit.

We know that effective assessment tools help drive instruction and build our understanding of our students’ feelings and needs. To this end, we created multiple types of both formal and informal assessments that can be completed quickly and easily to help maintain consistency and encourage our students to be reflective about themselves as problem solvers.

Our students fill out an exit ticket based on the Likert scale that allows us to track how their understanding of conflict has changed over time after engaging in both cooperative games and design challenges.

Checking In

Finally, we know that students love their teachers, seek their approval, and enjoy sharing what is going on in their own lives. The good-to-know jar and problem jar offer students a space where they can check in with their own emotional experiences, identities, and culture, and use their real-life problems to share what is on their mind and help them navigate tricky feelings that they may feel uncomfortable sharing verbally.

The two jars are accessible to students throughout the week. Students contribute to these jars anonymously, and each student is encouraged to submit either a good-to-know or a problem throughout the week. On Fridays, we read through the problem jar as a class and talk through possible solutions or just acknowledge that some problems can’t be solved right away but that by talking about them, we are communicating that we will work harder to figure out a plan together.

Giving students a space to see that we, as their teachers, take their thoughts and opinions seriously and then connect their problems with real, immediate action is important in encouraging our students to be problem solvers. We also ask our students to consider how they naturally approach and respond to conflict. Providing them with this opportunity for self-reflection allows them to identify their personal strengths and challenges. The better we know each other, the more comfortable we’ll be with sharing how we feel and engaging in productive conflict.

Triseum

Leading The Game-Based Learning Revolution

Using Games to Teach Real World Problem Solving Skills

games to teach problem solving skills

“When or where am I going to actually use this?” My guess is that every teacher has heard a student utter these words somewhere along the way. As teachers, it is our responsibility to capture students’ imagination to help them connect what they do in the classroom with the world around them. Yet, how can we, as teachers, help them not only acquire the educational content we are teaching, but also the ability to  use  content to solve real world problems?

I believe the answer lies in game-based learning. Video games are practically second nature to the majority of students today. As players, they always want to know what is next, what is behind that obstacle and how can they advance to the next level. Using what they know about the characters, their abilities, the hurdles and the environment, they attempt different ways to achieve the game’s objectives. In an academic game, this trial and error approach builds students’ knowledge, not only of the content itself, but also how to apply the content in different ways to advance.

Through their own pace and rhythm, students can trace back to a place in the game they made a mistake, conclude what went wrong, dig into the educational content and, ultimately, change their approach to solve the problem. Correcting his or her own mistakes is infinitely more valuable for a student than having them retrospectively pointed out.

In the Triseum calculus game, Variant: Limits, this theory holds true. I showed the game to my 15-year-old son who loves playing games but knows very little about calculus. He moved through the game’s task and challenges to figure out what to do next. Of course, his progress wasn’t without failure. He is too young to know and understand the depth of the calculus concepts, but his trial and error approach enabled him to draw some important conclusions in a more intuitive way, applying what he learned from both his successes and failures. This is problem solving at its best; not to mention, he got very excited to formally learn calculus!

Game-based learning also creates an ideal environment for student collaboration, a valuable lesson these students will carry into their careers, no matter their chosen field.  Playing in pairs, interacting with each other and helping each other navigate through the game deepens their knowledge of the concepts while, at the same time, developing their social and teamwork skills.

Academic games don’t just teach us content, they teach us how to think creatively and use the content to solve problems. What’s more, the game-based learning experience integrates something students  likely enjoy doing in their free time with tangible learning, and that is what learning should be – fun, deep and engaging!

About the Author

Anica teaches math at the primary school  Toplički heroji in Žitorađa, Serbia. She is a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) and a Scientix ambassador. Her passions lie in new education technologies and developing students’ digital skills for the 21st century, engaging them in a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and their applications in real life.

  • Grades 6-12
  • School Leaders

Black History Month for Kids: Google Slides, Resources, and More!

30+ Awesome Career-Readiness Activities That Teach Soft Skills

Students need these skills to succeed in the workplace.

games to teach problem solving skills

Our vision is to unlock the potential of each learner at every stage of life. At McGraw Hill, we believe that your diverse experiences enrich the way you learn, teach, and grow. See how Career Explorations  introduces students to hundreds of diverse careers and critical soft skills needed to set them on a purposeful path through high school and beyond.

' src=

When it’s time for students to start working and/or head to college, they’ll need “soft skills,” otherwise known as career-readiness or job-readiness skills, in addition to academic knowledge and vocational skills.

Soft skills are those characteristics that help you function as an individual (motivation, self-confidence, flexibility) as well as within a group (teamwork, negotiation, respect). These job-readiness skills are key for succeeding in the workplace. After all, if you can’t show up on time, speak up for yourself, or get along with your peers, chances are you’re not going to have a very smooth go of it.

Explicitly teaching students these job-readiness skills is the best way to give them valuable insight into their strengths and weaknesses. We’ve rounded up just over 30 engaging lessons and activities that are not only just right for teaching the job-readiness skills students need, they are also a lot of fun!

1. Use an engaging curriculum for career exploration and readiness

games to teach problem solving skills

There are so many important things to teach our students before they’re ready to leave high school that it’s daunting to know where to begin. That’s why having strong, trusted resources can make such a difference. McGraw Hill’s Career Explorations program for middle and early high school is an excellent example of such a curriculum. The resources blend occupation and industry content with case studies and real-world, application-based questions and activities to grab students’ attention right from the start. And real-world, industry-specific soft-skills practice questions throughout each chapter expose students to types of challenges they’ll face regardless of what career path they pursue.

Skills they’ll practice:

Collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving

Explore the program: McGraw Hill Career Explorations

2. Listen and recap

There are so many things competing for kids’ attention in today’s overstimulating world, so learning the simple art of listening can be a difficult task. This one-on-one communication activity will help students practice taking the time to clear their minds, focus, and really listen to what their partner is saying in a way that they can clearly and accurately repeat.

Divide students into pairs. Partner one draws a topic card from a prepared deck and talks about that topic, while partner two listens without speaking. The listener must really focus on simply receiving their partner’s words—not letting their mind wander or think about how they are going to respond. Then, without a rebuttal, partner two recaps what partner one said. Then, they switch roles.

Listening, respect, interpersonal skills, communication

Buy it: Letz Talk Conversation Cards at Amazon

3. Make a game of it

Responsibility isn’t something students develop overnight. It takes lots of practice to show self-control when things don’t go our way, to be accountable for our decisions, to finish what we start, and to keep trying even when we want to give up. Try these five super-fun games (below) that teach responsibility.

Responsibility, flexibility, patience

Learn more: 5 Great Games for Teaching Your Students About Responsibility

4. Serve others

2 images of teens participating in service learning projects as they learn job readiness skills

Service-learning projects not only get kids involved in their communities, they help them develop many valuable job-readiness skills that will be assets on the job one day. Team students up to organize a book or food drive, recruit bilingual students to provide translation services, or encourage budding artists to collaborate on a community art event.

Teamwork, respect, time management, responsibility

Learn more: 30 Meaningful Service Learning Projects for Kids and Teens

5. Cultivate critical thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to examine a subject and develop an informed opinion about it. It’s about asking questions, then looking closely at the answers to form conclusions that are backed by provable facts, not just “gut feelings” and opinion. And it’s definitely on the top of most employers’ wish lists for new employees. Click the link below for fun and engaging classroom activities that’ll get your students’ gears turning.

Critical thinking, problem-solving, flexibility, self-confidence

Learn more: 5 Critical Thinking Skills Every Kid Needs To Learn and How To Teach Them

6. Human Marble Run

Working together to meet a goal takes patience and focus. This IRL version of Marble Run will help your students learn job-readiness skills like working together, and they’ll have fun doing it!

Give each member of the team a length of gutter or drainpipe. The team has to transfer a tennis ball or golf ball from one place to another by rolling the ball from one piece of gutter to the next. Make it interesting by making the team get the ball to traverse an obstacle course or to go up and down stairs.

Patience, negotiation, teamwork, communication

7. No-hands cup-stacking challenge

kids around a table playing a cup stacking game with paper cups and string as they learn job readiness skills

This hands-on group challenge is an exercise in learning job-readiness skills like patience and perseverance, not to mention it’s a total blast!

Decide how many students you want in each group, and tie that number of strings to a single rubber band. Each person in the group holds on to one of the strings attached to the rubber band. As a group, they use this device to pick up the cups (by pulling the rubber band apart and then bringing it back together over the cups) and place them on top of one another in order to build a pyramid.

Critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, patience

Learn more: Cup Stack from Ms. Sepp’s Counselor Corner

8. Paper bag skits

You never know what life is going to hand to you. This is true at work, school, and in life in general. Sometimes you’re handed a set of circumstances and have very little time to figure out what to do. This fun activity will help teens practice thinking on their feet.

Fill a few paper bags with four or five assorted classroom or household items. Break the teens into groups, and assign each group a bag without showing them what’s inside. Give them two minutes to examine the items in their bag and come up with a skit, using all of the items, for the rest of the class.

Time management, teamwork, flexibility, presentation skills

9. Nurture self-knowledge

Journaling is a powerful tool for creative expression and reflection, but did you know that it can also be an effective way to improve mental health? Recording your thoughts and feelings can be a cathartic form of stress relief, an opportunity to get to know yourself better, and a way to help you feel more grounded and authentic in your beliefs. Try these free writing prompt cards with your middle and high schoolers to help them get started.

Stress management, self-confidence, motivation

Learn more: Deep Writing Journal Prompts for Teens from Journal Buddies

10. Foster self-motivation

Self-motivation is one of the key indicators of success in the future. Conversely, lack of motivation leads to big problems not only in school but on the job later on. But how do we teach something that comes from inside? Check out the activities below for some great tips like breaking big dreams into smaller pieces, envisioning a bright future, encouraging students to share their stories, and more.

Work ethic, critical thinking, self-confidence

Learn more: How To Instill Intrinsic Motivation from 7Mindsets

11. Hold a poetry slam

students learning job readiness skills practice their presentation skills delivering a slam poem

Slam poetry is a unique performance art that will not only give your students the opportunity to express their thoughts, but build their confidence as well. Slam poems are specifically written to be performed in front of an audience, and topics are often diverse, political, and thought-provoking. Finding your voice and being able to move people with your words are job-readiness skills that can apply to any future endeavor.

Self-confidence, presentation skills, teamwork

Learn more: What Is Slam Poetry and How Can Teachers Use It With Students?

12. Team survival challenge

What would happen if your class went out on a pleasure cruise only to end up being lost at sea? Who would take charge? What materials would be essential for survival? If you ever saw an episode of the TV series Lost , you know that making these decisions as a group can get ugly fast. This activity is a great lesson in group decision-making, as students will undoubtedly have different ideas about what materials to add to a limited list in a limited amount of time.

Critical thinking, negotiation, communication, teamwork

Learn more: Lost at Sea from Grahame Knox

13. Start a school garden

students learn the job readiness skill of responsibility as they work in a garden with their teacher

A school garden is an amazing, hands-on way to help teach students about responsibility. From planning what to grow and organizing the supplies needed to creating a maintenance schedule and actually getting down and dirty in the garden, it’s a project that requires hard work and perseverance.

Responsibility, teamwork, problem-solving, patience

Learn more: How One School Garden Transformed a Neighborhood

14. Time-management challenge

We all have days when our list of tasks is huge, and the amount of time we have to complete them just isn’t. When time is tight and your agenda is packed, you’ve got to prioritize tasks and work efficiently! This activity gives students the opportunity to practice just that by presenting them with a long list of tasks to complete in a limited time frame.

Make a list of tasks on chart paper, assigning a point value for each job. For example: Do 25 jumping jacks (5 points); make up a nickname for each member of the group (5 points); get every person in the class to sign a piece of paper (15 points); form a conga line and conga from one end of the room to the other (5 points; 10 bonus points if anyone joins you); etc. Make sure you list enough tasks to take up more than 10 minutes.

Divide your students into groups of five or six and give them 10 minutes to collect as many points as they can by deciding which tasks to perform. A debriefing session is essential with this game. Guide your students to think about how they made decisions, which group dynamics came into play, and how they determined the value of each task.

Negotiation, critical thinking, communication, time management

15. Vision boards

a proud teenage girls sits on a staircase displaying her vision board

Unleash your students’ creativity while simultaneously helping them set goals for the future with a vision board. We don’t frequently take the time to express who we are and what we hope for. Setting aside time to contemplate can motivate teens to think deeply about what they really want in life and also fuel their desire to do what’s necessary in order to reach their dreams.

Self-confidence, motivation, critical thinking

Learn more: Why Teachers Should Create Vision Boards With Their Students from Study All Knight

16. Collaborative contract

This exercise for middle schoolers helps them establish values-based ground rules for a team. Each student takes an index card and lists three values that they believe will promote a sense of community. Team members discuss the values, consolidating them into more precise categories. They write the finalized list on a poster board, with each student signing it. Whenever there is a dispute, the team should refer to the “contract,” which holds everyone accountable.

The purpose of this exercise is to create a safe space to explore ideas by focusing on common language and shared expectations. Additionally, this activity prepares middle-school students for the workplace by emphasizing similarities rather than differences.

Negotiation, communication, listening, respect

17. Zombie apocalypse

teens dressed up for zombie camp

In this two-day lesson, students are required to identify soft skills, literary guides, and everyday objects that will help them survive a zombie apocalypse. They’ll work both cooperatively and independently and produce short pieces of persuasive writing to argue in favor of their survival.

Teamwork, interpersonal skills (collaboration), problem-solving

Learn more: Zombie Invasion Plan  from Sarah Andrasik

18. Stoke their competitive fire

According to teacher Christine Weis , there’s nothing like a little healthy competition in the classroom. “It motivates students and drives them to put forth their best effort,” she says. “It sparks interest, passion, and ignites a fire within.” Not only can healthy competition build confidence, it can encourage students to learn something new and develop new skills. Try games, puzzles, sports, quiz competitions, team presentations, etc., to motivate your students to reach a higher level.

Motivation, work ethic, problem-solving, self-confidence

Learn more: 7 Motivational Activities for Students from The Homeschool Resource Room

19. The blindfold game

teacher tying a blindfold onto students while another student helps adjust the bandana

Teens leading one another around in blindfolds? Are we sure this is a good idea? The answer is yes when it’s part of a structured, purposeful job-readiness skills activity like this one!

You’ll need a large space for this activity (maybe the cafeteria after lunch or the gym during an off-period), enough blindfolds for half of the participants, and furniture and other items that you can use as obstacles (cardboard boxes, pillows, chairs, tables). Scatter furniture and objects around the room before the activity begins. Your course should be challenging but safe to navigate.

Pair students and have them line up at one end of the room. One person from each pair should put on the blindfold. The sighted person must guide their partner across the room and give them clear oral instructions (without touching them) to help them avoid the obstacles. When each team reaches the far side of the room, partners can switch roles and repeat the exercise. Have just a few pairs tackle the course at a time so that the others can observe. Take some time between rounds to process what went well, what didn’t, and what could make the challenge easier.

Communication, listening, respect (taking the task and their partner’s safety seriously), flexibility

20. Take a mini crash course

Our teens may almost look like adults, but we have to remember they still have a lot to learn. And sometimes the best way to teach them what they need to know is to just spell it out. This video is a no-nonsense tutorial about some of the job-readiness skills that employers find valuable. Hold a screening, then after the video, have students form breakout groups to talk about what portion of the video they found most helpful and what they need to work on.

Communication, listening, critical thinking

21. Human knot

teens learn the job readiness skill of teamwork as they play the human knot game

Nothing promotes job-readiness skills such as cooperation like getting all tangled up with your classmates — literally!

Players stand in a circle and reach out to shake hands with other players, with each hand holding that of a different person, creating a “human knot.” Then the players have to figure out how to untangle their bodies without letting go of each other’s hands. This activity lends itself to a vibrant debriefing session as students observe their communication and cooperation skills.

Teamwork, communication, problem-solving

Learn more: The Human Knot Game from Icebreaker Ideas

22. Mind your mental health

Managing stress in school (and on the job) is a timely subject. With mental health issues on the rise across the country, it’s critical to teach your students strategies that will help them stay grounded and build resilience. After all, it’s hard to do your best in any endeavor when you’re stressed to the max. Try the empowering activities below to teach students how to manage stress so they can succeed in college, on the job, and in the future.

Self-confidence, problem-solving, leadership

Learn more: 22 Empowering Mental Health Activities for Teens

23. Rope Circle Shimmy

two pairs of legs, wearing jeans and tennis shoes, with a rope around one person's ankle stretching over and under the other person's feet and beyond

Divide teens into two groups. Each group should have a minimum of five members. To begin play, make a big circle out of rope for each team and put it on the floor. Each member of the team stands at the edges of the circle, so the rope is taut around their ankles, while holding their hands in the air.

Team members must take turns moving to work the rope up from ankles to wrists, keeping hands in the air at all times. The team member will have to wiggle and move to slide the rope up. Other team members can help by keeping the rope as taut as possible. The team that finishes the challenge first wins!

Communication, flexibility, interpersonal skills (cooperation)

Learn more: Looped to Rope from Mom Junction

24. Four-card negotiation

Sometimes to get ahead in life, you have to know how to wheel and deal. This is entirely what this lesson is all about. The objective is for teams to trade and barter for pieces of cards to match up with the pieces they already have and ultimately end up with four complete playing cards.

Start with a pile of playing cards (four cards per team of four or five students). Cut each card diagonally into four pieces and mix all of the pieces together. Now divide the mixed-up pieces evenly among the teams. Give teams a couple of minutes to sort out their card pieces and figure out which pieces they have and which pieces are missing. Set a timer for 10 minutes. The goal of the game is for the students to use their negotiation skills with the other teams in order to gain as many complete cards as possible for their team. At the end of 10 minutes, the team with the most cards wins.

Negotiation, communication, interpersonal skills

25. Pair up with younger kids

a teen learns job readiness skills as she talks with her little buddy

Nothing helps teens build responsibility like pairing up with a younger buddy. Being the more mature, more experienced partner in the relationship gives teens the opportunity to share what they know and learn to be a leader. Have your students plan fun activities and special events with their buddies.

Responsibility, leadership, problem-solving, listening, patience

Learn more: 20 Activities for Big Buddy/Little Buddy Time from Create, Dream, Explore

26. Blind spelling practice

Weaving soft-skills activities into everyday curriculum is a win for everyone. Enhance your students’ interpersonal skills with this fun spelling activity. Tape letters to each student’s back. Then call out a definition of a word. Students will need to work together to assemble in the right order to spell the word correctly.

Communication, listening, negotiation, problem-solving

Learn more:  Manuel Antonio Noronha

27. Practice small talk

teens sitting in a circle making small talk

Teenagers aren’t exactly known for their chitchat skills. In fact, for many it is one of the most awkward situations they can imagine being put in. But small talk is considered a foundational job-readiness skill that is important for almost every job, as well as learning to network. Many teens feel awkward speaking with people they’re not used to speaking to and need practice, especially with adults. Try some free conversation starters that will help them practice the “three P’s” of small talk: being polite, positive, and professional.

Communication, listening, self-confidence, patience, respect

Learn more: Conversation Starters on the Job from Realityworks

28. Blind drawing

Try this hilarious activity with your teens. It’s kind of like “telephone” but instead of listening, each person must pay close attention to what is being drawn on their back. Each student in the line gets a blank sheet of paper taped to their back and a marker. The student at the end begins by slowly drawing an image on the person’s paper in front of them. When that person feels what’s being drawn, they try to re-create what they’re feeling on the person of front of them. When the image is complete, have the students take off their papers and compare the results. This activity is a colorful reminder that people often perceive things very differently, so communication is extremely important!

Communication, teamwork, patience

29. Mock interviews

teen learning job readiness skills hands his resume across the table to a person conducting a mock interview

The prospect of going on a job interview can be terrifying to a kid who’s never had a job before. Practicing job-readiness skills like interviewing can help them reduce the fear factor and build their confidence. Pair students up and assign one teen the role of interviewer and one the role of interviewee. Use a set of job interview questions to practice with.

Give each pair 15 minutes, then have them talk about how the interview went. The interviewer may have some valuable insight for the interviewee. Then have the partners switch roles and repeat. After they’ve had practice with their peers, invite a few adults into the room to conduct mock interviews.

Interview skills, critical thinking, self-confidence

Learn more: Job Interview Questions for Teens from Understood for All

30. Group storytelling

Create small groups of three to eight students. The first person makes up the first line of a story and says it out loud. The second person says, “Yes, and …,” continuing the story. Play continues around the group until everyone has contributed or until the story has come to a satisfactory ending. Since students don’t know what’s coming, they have to learn how to listen carefully and react and communicate well on the fly. As an alternative, to have students listen even more carefully, have them continue the story with the phrase, “because …”

Communication, listening, critical thinking, presentation

31. Team pen

Sometimes it takes the whole team to produce results. This fun game involves a marker with four to six strings tied to it and a blank piece of paper. The teacher calls out a word and the team has to work together to legibly print the word on the paper. Students will have to think carefully and cooperate with one another to maneuver the pen correctly to write the word.

Communication, teamwork, patience, critical thinking

Be sure to visit McGraw Hill’s Career Explorations page for more information about their career and technical education resources for middle and high school.

Also, check out these “would you rather” questions to get teens thinking about their future careers..

Looking for ideas to help your teen students learn the job-readiness skills they need to succeed in life after school? These will help!

You Might Also Like

5 Games That Teach Responsibility Feature Image

5 Great Games for Teaching Your Students About Responsibility

Your students will have fun becoming more responsible young people. Continue Reading

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

  • Social Calendar [New]
  • Browse Team Building Experiences

19 Fun Large Group Games for Kids

You found our list of fun large group games for kids.

Large group games for kids entertain and educate children. These activities also promote social interaction among groups. For example, Duck Duck Goose, Musical Chairs, and Capture the Flag are all popular choices. The purpose of these games is to encourage teamwork and help kids have fun. These games are also known as “games for big groups of kids” and “educational games for big classrooms.”

These large group games for kids are similar to large group activities for adults , interactive games for students , team building games for kids , and escape room ideas for kids .

large-group-games-for-kids

This list includes:

  • games for big groups of kids
  • playground games for large groups
  • group games for children
  • children’s large group games
  • group games for kids
  • educational games for big classrooms

Let’s get to it!

List of large group games for kids

From the classic Musical Chairs to the exciting Capture the Flag, here is our list of the best games to play with large groups of kids.

1. Blob Tag

Blob Tag is a fun game for large groups of kids. To play this game, choose one player to be the “blob” who starts as “it.” When the blob tags another player, they must join hands and become part of the blob. As the blob grows, it becomes easier to tag other players. The game continues until all players are part of the blob. The last player standing wins and becomes the new blob for the next round. Blob tag is a great way to encourage teamwork and cooperation among kids while having lots of fun!

2. Memory Hopscotch

Memory Hopscotch is one of the top group games for children. To start playing the game, draw a hopscotch grid on the ground with chalk or use colored tape to create squares. Inside each square, draw different shapes or symbols. Then, one player starts by hopping through the grid while memorizing the shapes or symbols they land on.

After completing the hopscotch, the player must remember and repeat the order aloud. If kids remember correctly, then they can continue to the next round. If not, they can try again or pass the turn to the next player. The game continues with each player taking turns hopping through the grid and testing their memory skills. Memory hopscotch is a great way to exercise both the body and the mind while having fun!

Want some free team building tools?

$49 value (100% free).

  • 100+ fully tested icebreaker questions
  • 24+ themed Bingo generators
  • 5+ PDFs (including the 8% Rule)
  • 2024 team building calendar
  • and more...

Tool Box

Enter your email for instant access

3. Silly Sentence Hot Potato

Silly Sentence Hot Potato is one of the best educational games for big classrooms. To play, gather the children in a circle and give them a soft object to pass around, like a stuffed toy or a beanbag. Before passing the object to the next player, each child must say one word to add to a silly sentence. For example, the first kid might say “The,” the next one says “banana,” and play continues.

When the music stops or a timer goes off, the player holding the object must try to say the entire sentence out loud before passing it on. If they forget a word or say it incorrectly, then they are out. The game continues until only one player remains. Silly Sentence Hot Potato is a great way to encourage creativity and language skills while having lots of fun!

Here are more fun word games .

4. Balloon Pop and Match

Balloon Pop and Match is a fun game for kids to play at parties or events. To play this game, fill balloons with small puzzle pieces or pieces of a picture before inflating them. Then, scatter the balloons around the play area. Kids take turns popping balloons to reveal the pieces inside. Once a player pops a balloon, they must collect the puzzle pieces and try to match them together to complete the puzzle or picture. The player who completes the puzzle or picture first wins! Balloon Pop and Match is a great way to encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and coordination skills.

5. Floating Ring Toss

Floating Ring Toss is a fun game for kids during pool parties or outdoor events. To play, fill a kiddie pool or large container with water. Next, float several smaller targets on the surface, such as rubber ducks or pool noodles. Each player stands at a throwing line and takes turns tossing rings or beanbags from the edge of the pool. Kids aim to land rings on the floating targets.

Players earn points for each successful toss, and the player with the highest score wins. Floating ring toss is a great way for kids to practice their aim and coordination while having a splashing good time in the water!

6. Blindfold Taste Test

The Blindfold Taste Test is a simple and fun game for kids. To set up, blindfold each player with a soft cloth or a sleep mask. Prepare a variety of foods or drinks for the taste test, such as different fruits, candies, or flavored drinks. One at a time, present each item to the blindfolded player and ask them to taste it while guessing what it is.

Players can use their sense of taste and smell to identify the foods or drinks. After each guess, reveal the item and keep track of how many guesses each player gets right. The player with the most correct guesses wins the game! The blindfold taste test is a great way to explore different flavors and textures while having fun with friends.

Note: Be sure to ask kids about food allergies before hosting this activity.

Here are more team tasting events .

7. Animal Charades

Animal Charades is a fun game for kids to play with their friends. To start, gather the kids in a circle. One at a time, have players take turns acting like different animals without making any sounds. For example, hopping like a bunny, slithering like a snake, or roaring like a lion. The player who guesses the animal correctly earns a point and takes the next turn. Whoever has the most points at the end wins! Animal Charades is a great way for kids to use their imagination, creativity, and observational skills.

Here is a Charades generator .

8. Musical Chairs

Musical Chairs is an age-old game that kids know and love. When playing this game, gather one chair for each player. Then, remove one chair. Kids will stand around the seats, and hosts will play a song. Players will walk around the chairs and sit down when the music stops. Whoever does not get a chair to sit in is out of the game. For the next round, hosts will remove another seat. Play will continue until only one chair remains. The last player to sit down wins! This game is a great bonding exercise that encourages quick thinking.

9. Duck Duck Goose

Duck Duck Goose is one of the most classic playground games for large groups that is fun and simple for kids to understand. First, have all the kids sit in a circle on the ground. One child starts as the “picker” and walks around the outside of the circle. The picker taps each child on the head, saying “duck” until they decide to choose a friend as the “goose.”

When the picker taps the goose, that child has to jump up and chase the picker around the circle. The picker tries to sit in the goose’s spot before getting tagged. If the picker succeeds, then the goose becomes the new picker, and the game starts again. If the goose tags the picker, then they have to be the picker again for the next round.

This game encourages active play and enhances children’s motor skills. Additionally, this game is great for all ages and is perfect for playing at parks, in school, or even backyards.

10. Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag is one of the most thrilling games for big groups of kids. To host this activity, divide the kids into two teams. Each group claims a territory on opposite sides of the playing area. Next, both teams hide a flag in their territory.

During gameplay, players try to capture the other team’s flag while also protecting their own. If a player tags an opponent trying to steal the flag, then they must go to jail. Other teammates can tag players to free them from jail. The game continues until one team successfully captures the other team’s flag.

This game promotes teamwork while physically engaging kids with plenty of running. The bigger the group, the more fun and challenging the game becomes!

11. Relay Race

A Relay Race is one of the top children’s large group games. This exercise promotes teamwork, communication, and healthy competition.

To set up a relay race, divide the kids into teams and mark out a course with start and finish lines. Each team member takes turns running a set distance before passing the baton to the next teammate. The first team to complete the race wins!

Relay races provide physical activity and teach important skills like coordination and sportsmanship. Relays are a fun way for kids to bond and work together toward a common goal.

Here are more field day games .

12. Parachute Game

A Parachute Game is a great choice for large group games for kids. Players enjoy flying a brightly colored parachute high and low. You can play several games with a big parachute. For instance, during Parachute Ball, players keep balls bouncing on the parachute. Another example is Sharks and Lifeguards, where kids become pretend sea creatures under the chute. Playing with a parachute is a fun and engaging game that helps develop motor skills.

13. Circle Game

The Circle Game requires zero equipment, just a group of energetic kids. Ideal for large groups, this game boosts listening skills and friendships. A leader calls out commands like “switch,” making participants swap places, or “down,” making players sit. The unexpected element is the “circle” command, where kids form a circle. The last player to join the circle ends up in the center to direct the next round. This game is proof that simplicity can lead to loads of fun!

14. Obstacle Course

An Obstacle Course is a thrilling exercise suitable for big groups of kids. Items like cones, hula hoops, and pool noodles create a fun, challenging circuit. Depending on the ages of the kids, you can change the difficulty level to keep the course fair and enjoyable. The first team or individual to complete the course is the winner! Kids get to improve their coordination and agility while racing each other. Obstacle courses are fun bonding games that develop a sense of competitiveness and teamwork.

15. Treasure Hunt

Treasure Hunt is an exciting adventure for kids. This game brings out players’ problem-solving and teamwork skills. When planning this game, design a treasure map, and split large groups into teams. Adding riddles and puzzles makes the game even more intriguing. Kids will solve clues to uncover hidden treasures. This hunt is fun, interactive, and customizable.

Here are more treasure hunt ideas .

16. Tug-of-War

Playing Tug-of-War with a large group of kids is a blast! First, divide the kids into two teams and make sure they are evenly matched in size and strength. Next, mark a line on the ground and have each team stand on either side of it. Each team can take one end of a long rope. Then, on the count of three, both teams start pulling as hard as they can, trying to get the other team to cross the line. The team that manages to pull the other team across the line wins! Tug-of-war is a fun game that encourages teamwork, strength, and friendly competition.

17. Simon Says

Playing Simon Says with a large group of kids is super fun! To start, choose one player to be “Simon.” Simon stands in front of the group and gives commands, like “Simon says touch your nose” or “Simon says jump up and down.” The twist is that the kids should only do the action if Simon says “Simon says” before it. If Simon gives a command without saying “Simon says” and a kid follows it, then they are out. The last kid left in the game wins and becomes the next Simon! This simple and entertaining game encourages listening skills and following instructions.

18. Red Rover

Red Rover is a classic schoolyard game that is perfect for big groups. Children split into two lines facing each other. Each team chants, “Red Rover, Red Rover, let (name) come over!” This phrase challenges a player from the opposite team to break through their linked hands. If the player fails, then they join the opposite team. The team that gathers all their opponents on their side wins! This game encourages teamwork, strategy, and physical activity, keeping kids entertained and engaged.

19. Freeze Dance

Freeze Dance is an excellent game for large groups of kids. During this high-energy activity, hosts will play music the kids enjoy. Participants will dance, showing off their best moves. When hosts stop the music, dancers must freeze in place. Any player who moves after the music stops is out of the game. Whoever is the last dancer standing wins!

This game promotes listening skills, physical activity, and lots of laughter. In addition, this game can be even more fun when kids get to choose the dance music. Some variations include making funny faces or poses when the music stops to add extra entertainment.

Final Thoughts

Large group games are a great chance for children to learn important life skills. For instance, kids can develop skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving in a fun way. You can adapt games to suit different age groups and settings, from playgrounds to classrooms. Moreover, you can add an educational element to these games to make learning more engaging.

Next, check out our posts on take your child to work day ideas , one minute games , and family day activities .

FAQ: Large group games for kids

Here are frequently asked questions about large group games for kids.

What are some indoor games for large groups of kids?

Indoor games for large groups include Musical Chairs, Simon Says, and Animal Charades.

Can large group games be educational?

Many large group games can be educational. For instance, a game like Treasure Hunt can help improve problem-solving skills. Trivia-based team competitions can help kids learn.

What are some outdoor games for large groups of kids?

Outdoor large group games include favorites such as Red Rover and Relay Races or more adventurous ones like Obstacle Courses or Tug-of-War.

Are there large group games suitable for different age groups?

Games like Musical Chairs or Duck Duck Goose are suitable for younger children. Older kids might enjoy more complex activities, such as Capture the Flag.

Are there fun virtual large group games for children?

Virtual games like online quizzes or multiplayer video games can be fun for large groups of children.

Author avatar

Author: Michael Alexis

CEO at teambuilding.com. I write about my experience working with and leading remote teams since 2010.

Get our free team building tool box

$49 value at no cost. may as well check it out.

Dream Town:House Design Games 4+

Designed for ipad.

  • 5.0 • 1 Rating
  • Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Dream Town is an engaging and educational simulation puzzle mini game. With Dream Town, players can embark on a creative journey where they design and decorate houses while unleashing their imagination and problem-solving skills. This captivating game offers a stimulating environment for users to express their creativity and engage in strategic thinking. Key Features 1. Creative House Design Unleash your imagination as you design and decorate unique and personalized homes in Dream Town. Choose from a vast array of rooms, furniture, and decorative items to create your dream living spaces. 2. Challenging Puzzles Dream Town features a variety of interactive puzzles and challenges that will test your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Solve these intriguing puzzles to progress further in the game. 3. Enhance Strategic Thinking Engage in strategic decision-making as you arrange and organize various elements within the game. Develop your spatial awareness and decision-making skills while designing your dream town.

Ratings and Reviews

App privacy.

The developer, HD.kids , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

  • Diagnostics

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

  • Identifiers

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Simplified Chinese

  • Annual Card $29.99
  • Quarterly Card $14.99
  • Weekly Card $1.99
  • Monthly Card $5.99
  • Developer Website
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

My home Town: super city

My Home Town:Vocation Life

My Home Town:Island Life

My Home Town:Build World Games

Tut World:Avatar City

My Mini World

You Might Also Like

Pretend Town Cowboy Farm House

Pretend Play Indian Town Life

Mother Life MOM Simulator Game

Anime Twin Baby : Daycare Game

My Pretend House & Family Home

Pretend City Snow Party Life

Under30CEO

6 Entrepreneurship Games to Enhance Your Business Skills

E ntrepreneurship games have greatly expanded in recent years, providing plenty of options for individuals to develop their business acumen while having fun. A good entrepreneurship game can teach you the ins and outs of starting and managing a business and improve your decision-making skills, all in a highly engaging environment.

See Also: What Can Young Entrepreneurs Learn from the Game of Basketball

In this article, we will share our top 6 entrepreneurship games, their unique features, and our favorite aspects of each game.

1. Products: The Card Game

Products: The Card Game by skypig is the brainchild of a visionary brand committed to igniting entrepreneurial spirit. While this inventive and humorous pitch-it, invent-it card game is a game first and foremost, it’s also a platform for learning inventing skills, backed by research from MIT, UI, and more.

Crafted to enhance creativity and foster your best pitching skills, Products prompts players to create ingenious or hilariously disastrous products, and present them to friends and family. The game has been mentioned in publications such as Due, Entrepreneur, Nasdaq, and more.

Our favorite part: Products: The Card Game isn’t education pretending to be a game—it’s a blast! It drives players into the inventive process, effortlessly fostering creativity and innovation. While having a ton of fun, the game sneaks in lessons on how to pitch without you even realizing you’re learning . Its smooth fusion of entertainment and education makes Products an ideal pick for individuals, teams, or students looking for an enjoyable and effective way to learn and master the art of invention.

2. The Startup Game

The Startup Game is a board game specifically aimed at teaching entrepreneur wannabes how to build and grow their startups. Players engage in realistic business scenarios, developing strategies, making critical decisions, and measuring outcomes. This interactive board game follows the entire entrepreneurial journey.

Our favorite part: The Startup Game provides a dynamic learning environment while keeping it engaging. The game is regularly updated with current market trends and events to make players adapt and learn how the real business world operates.

3. Cashflow 101

Created by Robert Kiyosaki, the author of the best-selling book “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” Cashflow 101 is a classic educational board game that helps players understand the importance of money management and financial freedom. Spurred by Kiyosaki’s principles, players must buy cash flow-generating assets and learn how to minimize liabilities to escape the rat race and achieve financial freedom.

Our favorite part: Cashflow 101 is an excellent game to teach players basic financial literacy, as well as providing a practical understanding of the potential for intelligent investments. The game fosters learning by allowing players to make mistakes and refining their risk-assessment and decision-making abilities.

BizTown is an online simulation game designed to teach students about entrepreneurship, financial management, and critical thinking. Players are immersed in running a business, taking responsibility for finances, sales, and marketing in a virtual environment, simulating real-world business scenarios.

Our favorite part: BizTown is highly interactive and accessible, providing a hands-on learning experience for young entrepreneurs or students interested in the business world. The game is designed to be engaging and informative while still providing a solid grounding in business basics.

See also:  8 Daily Habits of Successful People

5. Food Truck Challenge

Food Truck Challenge is a board game that challenges players to compete at owning and operating a food truck. Players must manage their finances, choose ingredients, develop recipes, and cater to customer preferences while competing for space on the food truck scene.

Our favorite part: The Food Truck Challenge provides practical insights into running a small business, incorporating elements like working with a limited budget and managing customer satisfaction. The game is enjoyable and competitive, effectively capturing the essence of entrepreneurship.

6. The Game of Life: Quarter Life Crisis

This version of the iconic Game of Life board game highlights the critical aspects of financial management, career choices, and balancing life demands. Players must navigate the twists and turns of life’s uncertainties, using wise decision-making skills to advance on the board and achieve a successful lifestyle.

Our favorite part: The Game of Life Quarter Life Crisis , introduces a modern, relatable struggle into a classic board game format. The game helps players appreciate the importance of making sound decisions and provides an entertaining experience that anyone can enjoy.

What exactly are entrepreneurship games?

Entrepreneurship games explore business skills. They are designed to teach and inspire budding entrepreneurs.

For example, games like Startup Tycoon and Restaurant Empire simulate natural business environments, allowing participants to practice managing finances, making critical decisions, and solving problems. These experiences showcase the challenges an entrepreneur may face.

Games like Lemonade Stand and Cashflow 101 also focus on specific business concepts, such as budgeting and understanding cash flow. This exposes players to essential entrepreneurship principles.

Ultimately, these games cultivate valuable business capabilities.

Are entrepreneurship games important?

Entrepreneurship games matter. They foster vital business skills. As players navigate complex scenarios, they learn problem-solving, critical thinking, and resource management. These skills translate to real-world business success.

Additionally, they encourage creativity and innovation. Players must adapt to changing markets and develop unique strategies, stimulating their entrepreneurial instincts.

Ultimately, these games build confidence and understanding in aspiring entrepreneurs .

What are things to look for in entrepreneurship games?

Here are a few things to look for:

  • Scope of the game

User interface

  • Strong community support

Evaluating gameplay is vital in entrepreneurship games. It helps players understand crucial aspects of running a business. Consider the game’s engagement and realism, which ensures players develop relevant skills. For instance, games featuring challenging economic simulations or well-designed decision-making consequences provide immersive experiences. These experiences are essential as they encourage the development of entrepreneurial skills like problem-solving and decision-making.

Another factor is the scope of the game. It should accurately represent the various stages of entrepreneurship, from ideation to expansion. Comprehensive games might cover team building, fundraising, and marketing strategy. This diversity of elements helps players become more adaptable when facing real-life business challenges. Moreover, comprehensive games offer valuable insights for those interested in pursuing entrepreneurship, allowing them to test their abilities in a safe environment.

A game’s user interface should also be considered, as it enhances the overall experience. Simple and intuitive controls enable users to focus on developing entrepreneurial skills and strategies rather than struggling to navigate through unclear menus. User-friendly games are more likely to be enjoyed and recommended to others, meaning well-designed games can facilitate greater learning experiences for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Lastly, strong support and an online community are also essential. A game encouraging collaboration and discussion among players promotes shared learning, which is essential for entrepreneurial success . For example, forums or chat features offer opportunities to discuss strategies, learn from mistakes, and celebrate achievements. A strong community encourages motivation and enthusiasm, fostering continued skill development and a better understanding of entrepreneurship.

By keeping these aspects in mind, one can make an informed decision when selecting the best entrepreneurship games for their needs, ultimately enhancing their business knowledge and skills while simultaneously enjoying the experience.

1. What are entrepreneurship games?

Entrepreneurship games are immersive experiences designed to teach and inspire budding entrepreneurs. They simulate real-world business environments, allowing participants to practice managing finances, making critical decisions, and solving problems. These games showcase the challenges entrepreneurs may face, promoting the development of essential business skills.

2. Why are entrepreneurship games important?

Entrepreneurship games are crucial for fostering vital business skills. As players navigate complex scenarios, they learn problem-solving, critical thinking, and resource management, translating these skills to real-world business success. Additionally, these games encourage creativity and innovation, helping players adapt to changing markets and develop unique strategies. Ultimately, entrepreneurship games build confidence and understanding in aspiring entrepreneurs.

3. What should one look for in entrepreneurship games?

When evaluating entrepreneurship games, consider the following factors:

  • Gameplay: Assess the engagement and realism of the game to ensure players develop relevant skills, such as problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Scope: Look for games that accurately represent various stages of entrepreneurship, covering aspects from ideation to expansion. Comprehensive games offer valuable insights and test abilities in a safe environment.
  • User Interface: Choose games with a simple and intuitive user interface to enhance the overall experience. Well-designed controls allow users to focus on developing entrepreneurial skills without struggling with unclear menus.
  • Community Support: Strong community support, including forums or chat features, encourages collaboration and discussion among players. A robust community promotes shared learning, motivation, and enthusiasm for continued skill development.

By considering these aspects, individuals can make informed decisions when selecting entrepreneurship games, enhancing their business knowledge and skills while enjoying an immersive gaming experience.

4. How do entrepreneurship games contribute to skill development?

Entrepreneurship games contribute to skill development by offering dynamic interactions and challenges that simulate real-world business scenarios. Players engage in decision-making, financial management, and problem-solving, honing essential entrepreneurial skills. The hands-on experiences provided by these games foster adaptability, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the complexities of entrepreneurship, preparing individuals for success in the business world.

5. Are there different types of entrepreneurship games?

Yes, various types of entrepreneurship games cater to different preferences and learning styles. Some are board games, like “The Startup Game” and “Cashflow 101,” while others are card games, such as “Products.”

Each type offers a unique gaming experience, allowing individuals to choose the format that best suits their interests and preferences. Whether through strategic board games or interactive online simulations, there’s an entrepreneurship game for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Conclusion:

Entrepreneurship games are fun and provide significant learning experiences that impart crucial skills to budding entrepreneurs. Through dynamic interactions and challenges, these games help players understand the essentials of financial management, decision-making, and overall business acumen. With options ranging from board games to online simulations, there is an entrepreneurship game for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Happy gaming!

The post 6 Entrepreneurship Games to Enhance Your Business Skills appeared first on Under30CEO .

6 Entrepreneurship Games to Enhance Your Business Skills

  • Awards Season
  • Big Stories
  • Pop Culture
  • Video Games
  • Celebrities

From Blocks to Code: How Minecraft Can Teach Kids Programming Skills

Minecraft is a popular video game that has captured the hearts and minds of both children and adults all over the world. Known for its endless possibilities and creative gameplay, Minecraft has also become a valuable tool for teaching kids programming skills. With its unique blend of block-building and problem-solving, this game provides an engaging platform for children to learn coding concepts in a fun and interactive way. In this article, we will explore how Minecraft can be used as an educational tool to introduce kids to the world of coding.

The Basics of Minecraft Coding

Minecraft coding involves using the game’s built-in programming language called “Redstone” to create complex systems and automate tasks within the game. Redstone functions as a virtual electronic circuitry system that allows players to build intricate contraptions using various components such as switches, pistons, and sensors. By understanding how these components work together, players can create circuits that perform specific actions when triggered.

One of the key benefits of learning Minecraft coding is that it introduces kids to fundamental programming concepts such as logic, sequencing, and problem-solving. As they experiment with Redstone circuits and learn how different components interact with each other, children develop critical thinking skills that are essential in programming.

Problem-Solving through Creativity

One of the main appeals of Minecraft is its open-ended nature, which encourages creativity and exploration. This aspect of the game also extends into the realm of coding. When faced with a challenge or desired outcome within Minecraft, players must think creatively to come up with solutions using Redstone circuits.

By experimenting with different combinations of components and iterating on their designs, kids learn how to approach problems from multiple angles and find innovative solutions. This process mirrors real-world problem-solving in programming where creativity plays a vital role in finding efficient and elegant solutions.

Collaboration and Learning from Others

In addition to the creative aspect, Minecraft also fosters collaboration and learning from others. The game allows players to join multiplayer servers where they can interact with other players, share ideas, and collaborate on projects. This social aspect of Minecraft coding opens up opportunities for kids to learn from more experienced players and gain insights into different coding techniques.

Moreover, many online communities and forums have emerged dedicated to Minecraft coding, providing a platform for children to share their creations, ask questions, and receive feedback. This collaborative environment not only enhances the learning experience but also builds a sense of community among young coders.

Real-World Applications

The skills acquired through Minecraft coding extend beyond the virtual world. Programming is a valuable skill in today’s technology-driven society, and introducing kids to it early on can give them a head start in various fields.

Understanding logic and problem-solving through Minecraft coding lays the foundation for more advanced programming languages such as Python or JavaScript. These languages are widely used in web development, software engineering, data analysis, and many other industries. By familiarizing themselves with coding concepts through Minecraft, children can develop a solid understanding of programming principles that can be applied in real-world scenarios.

In conclusion, Minecraft offers an exciting and immersive way for kids to learn programming skills. By engaging with Redstone circuits and exploring creative solutions within the game’s virtual world, children develop critical thinking abilities while having fun. The collaborative nature of Minecraft fosters learning from others and provides a supportive community for young coders to grow their skills. Ultimately, the knowledge gained through Minecraft coding can pave the way for future success in various industries that rely on programming expertise.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

MORE FROM ASK.COM

games to teach problem solving skills

IMAGES

  1. Problem Solving Games For Students / 17 Fun Problem Solving Activities

    games to teach problem solving skills

  2. problem solving skills activities for toddlers

    games to teach problem solving skills

  3. Printable Problem Solving Games For Adults : Problem Solving Printable

    games to teach problem solving skills

  4. 15 Fun Activities To Teach Problem Solving To Kids

    games to teach problem solving skills

  5. 10 Simple Activities to Teach Your Preschooler Problem Solving in 2021

    games to teach problem solving skills

  6. Problem Solving Games For Students : 17 Fun Problem Solving Activities

    games to teach problem solving skills

VIDEO

  1. The Social-Emotional Learning Game

  2. problem solving activity 🤔🤔

  3. problem solving skills training

  4. What Roblox games teach you

COMMENTS

  1. Problem Solving Games, Activities & Exercises for Adults

    1. Espionage! (Team Favorite) For an exciting game of social deduction, check out Espionage! This thrilling experience will put your team's wits and instincts to the test. Espionage! offers the following: a 90-minute session led by an experienced host undercover teams of agents and spies challenging puzzles, tasks, and maneuvers

  2. 25 Fun Problem Solving Activities for Kids

    Problem-solving activities for kids: Explore 24 fun problem-solving games and activities, and learn effective tips and strategies to teach kids problem-solving skills. If you want to explore problem-solving strategies more in-depth, you can also grab our workbook " Problem-Solving for Kids " (printable resource).

  3. 17 Fun Problem Solving Activities & Games [for Kids, Adults and Teens]

    Picture Pieces Puzzle Game Problem Solving Activities for Adults Move It! Playing Card Mix-up Blind Formations Line up Blind Balloon Tower Problem Solving Activities for Kids Walking the Plank "Laser" Web Group Drawing Animals Alphabet Game There are four basic steps in problem solving: define the problem generate possible solutions

  4. 44 Powerful Problem Solving Activities for Kids

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Inside: Tons of activities that will help boost kids' problem-solving skills and make them super critical thinkers! Table of Contents Who doesn't love a little challenge now and then? Especially if it's for our kiddos! You see, problem-solving isn't just for the puzzles and math sheets.

  5. 15 Problem-Solving Games and Activities for the Workplace

    15 Problem-Solving Games and Activities for the Workplace Indeed Editorial Team Updated September 28, 2023 Problem-solving is a transferable skill professionals can use in any career. Many companies encourage teams to take part in problem-solving games to enhance this skill in the workplace.

  6. 17 Fun Problem Solving Activities for Kids

    1. Marble Mazes This activity was selected because it requires them to think spatially. Spatial learning will benefit kids when they start driving, riding a bike, playing sports,etc. To do this activity in its simplest form, you will need a piece of paper, a pencil, and some marbles. First, draw a maze on a piece of paper using a pencil.

  7. 5 Problem-Solving Activities for the Classroom

    1. Brainstorm bonanza Having your students create lists related to whatever you are currently studying can be a great way to help them to enrich their understanding of a topic while learning to problem-solve.

  8. 15 Fun Problem-Solving Activities for Growth Mindset

    Puzzles 6. Activity Books 7. Board Games 8. Maze 9. Human Knot 10. Open-Ended Questions Problem solving activities for kids are a great way to teach them how to think critically and creatively, and how to develop a growth mindset.

  9. How to Teach Kids Problem-Solving Skills

    Strategies How to Teach Kids Problem-Solving Skills By Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on April 13, 2021 Medically reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP KidStock / Blend Images / Getty Images Table of Contents Importance Steps to Follow Practice Allow Consequences

  10. 10 Problem Solving Games for Kids

    We love single player logic games and probably own an unhealthy number of these brain boosting puzzle games. The following are some of our top favorites: Cat Crimes, ages 8 and up ( pictured above) - see it as our game of the month feature. Code Master, ages 8 and up - see it as our game of the month feature.

  11. 15 Fun Activities To Teach Problem Solving To Kids

    1. Test it out Whenever your child encounters a problem, ask them to acknowledge it and embrace the challenge. It will help hone their analytical and reasoning skills. If the outcome is ineffective, they can try different brainstorming approaches to find a practical and effective solution.

  12. 9 Online Educational Games That Teach Problem Solving Skills to Kids

    #1 Code Breaker Age Rating: EC (3 - 8) This interactive game from Odd Squad will help your kids learn how to count and identify numbers, shapes, and patterns. Players can generate a number or shape following given rules and identify certain features that aren't explicit in the rules.

  13. 7 Fun Problem Solving Activities to Support Kids' Growth

    Problem solving skills are an amazing gift to bestow on your developing child to help them feel empowered and prepared to take on life challenges. Play presents a powerful opportunity for learning. Approach teaching problem solving skills as yet another learning game with the following fun activities: 1. Interactive storytelling.

  14. Top 15 Problem-Solving Activities for Your Team to Master

    Article content. The importance of problem-solving skills in today's workplace. Classic team-building, problem-solving activities. 1. A Shrinking Vessel. 2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower. Creative problem-solving activities. Quick and easy problem-solving activities.

  15. Top 50 problem solving activities, games & puzzles for remote teams

    1. What are problem solving activities? 2. Key skills evaluated in problem solving activities 3. Problem solving scenarios 4. What is a problem solving process? 5. Obstacles to problem solving 6. Famous virtual problem solving software What are problem solving activities?

  16. 10 Simple Activities to Teach Your Preschooler Problem Solving

    If we take a look at the steps involved in solving a problem, we can see that there are many layers involved and different types of skills. Here are the problem-solving steps according to the University of Ken. Step 1: Identify the problem. Step 2: Define the problem. Step 3: Examine the options.

  17. 10 Best Problem-Solving Therapy Worksheets & Activities

    7 Activities and Worksheets for Your Session Fascinating Books on the Topic Resources From PositivePsychology.com A Take-Home Message References What Is Problem-Solving Therapy? Problem-Solving Therapy assumes that mental disorders arise in response to ineffective or maladaptive coping.

  18. 15 Powerful Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

    Puzzles. Puzzles are fun and a great way to encourage cognitive development in children. They are great for spacial reasoning and strengthening problem-solving skills. They also develop memory skills, critical thinking, and the ability to plan and execute the plan. Toddlers will enjoy the simple puzzles, and preschoolers will do great with ...

  19. How to Teach Your Kids Problem-Solving Skills (Games + Activities)

    Are there any games that can be helpful to developing problem solving skills? If you're asking yourself these questions, we've got just what you need - a complete guide on how to teach your kids to solve problems, improve their thinking skills, and raise little problem-solvers who are ready to take on the world of the future.

  20. Teaching Problem Solving Skills for Kids the Ultimate Guide

    2. Create games: Games are a great way to encourage problem-solving skills in preschoolers. Incorporating puzzles, drawing activities, or letter identification games can be fun for kids while also helping them practice their problem-solving skills. Puzzles are excellent tools for teaching young minds about problem-solving strategies.

  21. Building Students' Problem-Solving Skills

    Our approach includes cooperative games and design challenges as well as good-to-know and problem jars. Each part is designed to allow our students to encounter consistent developmentally appropriate and varying types of conflict in order to build problem-solving skills. Throughout each activity, students are put in a variety of mixed groupings ...

  22. Using Games to Teach Real World Problem Solving Skills

    Correcting his or her own mistakes is infinitely more valuable for a student than having them retrospectively pointed out. In the Triseum calculus game, Variant: Limits, this theory holds true. I showed the game to my 15-year-old son who loves playing games but knows very little about calculus. He moved through the game's task and challenges ...

  23. 30+ Awesome Career-Readiness Activities That Teach Soft Skills

    7. No-hands cup-stacking challenge. mssepp.blogspot.com. This hands-on group challenge is an exercise in learning job-readiness skills like patience and perseverance, not to mention it's a total blast! Decide how many students you want in each group, and tie that number of strings to a single rubber band.

  24. 19 Fun Large Group Games for Kids

    Treasure Hunt is an exciting adventure for kids. This game brings out players' problem-solving and teamwork skills. When planning this game, design a treasure map, and split large groups into teams. Adding riddles and puzzles makes the game even more intriguing. Kids will solve clues to uncover hidden treasures.

  25. Mazes For Kids Ages 4-8: Over 100 Maze Puzzles and Games to Improve

    Mazes For Kids Ages 4-8: Over 100 Maze Puzzles and Games to Improve Problem-Solving Ability and Enhance Cognitive Skills | Themed Mazes, Screen-Free ... Hard, in One Amazing, Challenging Big Book! [Creations, Dazzle Dee] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Mazes For Kids Ages 4-8: Over 100 Maze Puzzles and Games to Improve Problem-Solving Ability and Enhance Cognitive Skills ...

  26. Dream Town:House Design Games 4+

    ‎Dream Town is an engaging and educational simulation puzzle mini game. With Dream Town, players can embark on a creative journey where they design and decorate houses while unleashing their imagination and problem-solving skills. This captivating game offers a stimulating environment for users to ex…

  27. 6 Entrepreneurship Games to Enhance Your Business Skills

    They foster vital business skills. As players navigate complex scenarios, they learn problem-solving, critical thinking, and resource management. These skills translate to real-world business success.

  28. From Blocks to Code: How Minecraft Can Teach Kids Programming Skills

    Known for its endless possibilities and creative gameplay, Minecraft has also become a valuable tool for teaching kids programming skills. With its unique blend of block-building and problem-solving, this game provides an engaging platform for children to learn coding concepts in a fun and interactive way. In this article, we will explore how ...