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Problem Solving Activities for Kids

Medha Godbole
Even though many kids are interested in playing with electronic toys, a simple fact remains that old-fashioned games can be effective and educative. Here, we will be discussing problem solving activities for kids, and how to make it entertaining for them.
Deciphering the minds of kids is surely not an easy task. They are extremely smart, and know exactly what they want and how to get it! They even get adults stumped with their antics! What do the teachers and parents do to deal with such super-smart kids? Well, one of the options can be involving kids in activities related to problem solving.

Hunting for a Solution or Treasure

Make 2 or 3  equal number of groups of kids. For each group, have a small set of things in a basket at different places with variations in activity. Either leave clues in the form of puzzles for them to get to the treasure, or create puzzles to guess those things in the basket. Keep a fixed time for the children to solve the problem and get to the treasure.

Aiming for the Best

In this activity the kids pair up after they have got blindfolds and softballs. Once they are in pairs, one of them will be blindfolded. The one not will guide the blindfolded one by the arm. The only aim is to get the blindfolded partner to throw the ball at another blindfolded participant. If a blindfolded player is hit twice, then that pair, is out.

Puzzling Away

Jigsaw puzzles are one of the best activities for children. Yes, they are clichéd, but they are really cool. Depending on the level of difficulty, they can be kept engaged for a long period of time. The best part is that these can be done in a group or individually as well.

Additional Activities

► Divide the face of the clock into three parts with two lines so that the sum of the numbers in the three parts are equal.

► Jane opened her math book and found that the sum of the facing pages was 243. Which page did she open?

► How many addition signs should be put in between the number '987654321', and where should we put them to get a total of 99?
► A man has to be at work by 10:00 in the morning. It takes him 20 minutes to get dressed, 15 minutes to eat his breakfast, and 20 minutes to walk to work. What time should he get up?

► Given a cube, draw a second figure with a square base, having 8 edges, 5 vertices, and 5 faces.

► How many squares are there on a chessboard?
Depending on the age group you're working with, these activities can be easily modified. You can always have something like a maze drawn and ask them to find a way out. On the other hand, give them pictures or objects in drawings and ask them to create story from it. This will tickle their creativity and even logic.
The kids need to be engaged constructively. After all, what can be better than these activities? They will learn as well as have a good time!