20 Problem Solving Games for Kids

Why are problem solving games for kids crucial factor in their development?

In order to understand why it is important, we firstly have to know what problem solving is. It is defined as ‘the process or act of finding a solution to a problem’, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary. From a logical point of view, it is something that we use every day and in every aspect of life. Whether we are dealing with small issues, such as fixing of the broken washing machine, or bigger ones as finding a new home, we use the same pattern for ‘problem solving’. First, we realize what the problem is, then we try to find alternatives to fix it, and finally we implement the best possible solution. Even though it seems easy on the paper, there are many obstacles in everyday life that we have to simultaneously deal with, which further makes the process of coming to the solution a bit more complicated. However, if we learn some mechanisms of dealing with problems in early age, later we should have less difficulties in succumbing them. Therefore, how we teach our children to solve problems is of great importance.

What is the best way to introduce kids with problem solving mechanisms? Through games, of course! Depending on the age, there are many games that could help in teaching your child how to realize the problem and try to find the best solution for it. In our list, we have put games that could be played at almost any age, but if you are interested in helpful games for kids that still didn’t start going to school you should read 18 Fun Problem Solving Activities for Preschoolers. It is important to be aware that not only school and books will guide your kids through life, but also fun activities you can do together with them. Through creativity, leisure time and even outdoor activities, they can sometimes learn about life even more than in the school. In addition, the problem solving games are the perfect combination of learning and having fun.

While researching this topic about problem solving games for kids, we’ve found many suggestions about the best games and in which manner they should be practiced with your children. Also, there is a big interest in online games as well, as you don’t have to lose time in preparing things needed for a game, but instead you just install them. We gathered our list by browsing through many sources such as Bright Hub Education, Leap Frog, Smart Tutor Education Programs and Sten House Publishers, to name several, from which we chose the most frequently repeated suggestions on best problem solving games. Not to tell you anything more in advance, check out by yourself by just simply clicking on Next. 

20. Brain Blast

To play this game, there should be two teams. Each of them functions together in coming up with ideas associated with one topic. In this game, creative thinking is in the center of the attention, which can be of major help when it comes to solving any kinds of problem. Some examples of topics are: ‘animal’, ‘cities’, ‘travel’, ‘television’, among many others.

19. Disorder

This game’s main goal is pure entertainment, without winning or losing sides. You need cards on which you write actions or verbs in order to describe one activity. For example, on one card you can write ‘turning the wheels’, on the second ‘holding the steering wheel’, while on the third ‘putting gas’. By taking each card, kids should put them in order to realize what the activity is. If they get it right, they will realize the activity is ‘driving a car’.

18. Name Game

This game could be either competitive or cooperative, depending on parents’ or teachers’ choice of using it. The parent provides clue words for an object, and according to them, kids should guess the object that was initially imagined. It raises creativity in thinking, and moreover, they are getting familiar with different words.

17. Pulling Pockets

At home, or in a classroom, one group of kids fill their imaginary pockets (it could be some kind of boxes) with problems written on cards. The other group pulls them by picking one by one and trying to give a solution to it the fastest they can.

16. Priorities

There are many variations for playing this game. One proposal that we find interesting is to draw little empty boxes in a shape of a snake, where the beginning will be its tail, and the end its head. Also, you make cards with a different type of actions such as ‘call a friend’, ‘late for school’, to name a few. Then, each kid withdraws few cards and have to put it in order on the snake, depending on his or her priorities. This is a very good and fun way for a kid to learn to make priorities in, at first, easy situations, which could later as you play, become more problematic ones.

15. Protto / Problem Lotto

Teacher or parent tells the kids to write problems that they previously chose from the provided list. They divide the page in four quadrants and at the top of each they put the problems. Then, as they are hearing the solutions that teacher or parent read to them, they write it in the suitable quadrant. Like this, they would realize there can be more solutions to the same issue.

14. Solution Bee

With this game, you also need cards. On each of them, you write on one side a problem, while on the other a solution to it. While picking the cards, kids without turning the solution side, brainstorm their own ideas. If they say the same solution as it was written on the card, they win points.

13. Solve It Twice

For each problem presented by a teacher or parent, kids have to offer two solutions – one adaptive and one innovative. By playing this game, it broadens the kids’ perspective on finding diverse solutions to the same problems and raises their awareness of choices and possibilities. Now, let’s see what else we have on our list of problem solving games for kids.

12. Catch the Differences

By showing two, at first sight, same pictures, of an animal, situation or almost anything you can find, let your kids find by themselves the differences. This is one of the most common games for practicing visual abilities and awareness of details. Moreover, it is helpful if you tell your kid how many differences there are.

11. Memory Cards

This is one of the problem solving games for kids of any age, as it develops their memory and orientation. The cards could be different, with drawings of animals, objects or different situations. If you want to be creative, you can even draw your own kind and make it special for your kid.

10. Sudoku

This is one of the greatest solving problems game, the next one on the list of problem solving games for kids, that’s not just for kids, but for grown ups as well! It presents classical mathematical problems, for which you need mostly logical thinking. There are many levels of it, so whenever kids feel it is easy for them, they could just pass to a higher level. If you prefer, there is Sudoku in an online version, as well.

9. Mazes

Out of almost any kind of objects, you can create with your kid a maze in his or her room. The point is to find their way out on their own and not to give up. And parents, no matter how much you want to help, don’t! They will learn to solve their own problems by not relying on your help.

8. Patterning

This game that’s up next on the list of problem solving games for kids is played by creating different kinds of patterns, which then your kids should complete with different shapes or colors. In this way, they are developing their creativity and logical thinking.

7. Detective Game

This game is very good for problem solving! It can be consisted of just talking about the crime and its possible solutions, or you can find it in any board game store. There are many kinds, however, the most known one is named after the famous French detective series ‘Poaro’.

6. Mastermind

This is a traditional board game that ranks 6th on our list of problem solving games for kids where the point is to guess the right positions of different color pegs. It is the best to play with two different opponents, as it can be confusing with more kids. Each opponent has several tries to guess the right combination. The one who do it first, wins. Now, there are online versions of this game as well.

5. Toys Classification

Tell your kids to classify their toys by their characteristics. In this way they will learn about differences, and create a better understanding of groups and ways in which they can be gathered.

4. Pantomime

At number three on our list of problem solving games for kids we have Pantomime that could be played just among children, or it can be also fun for parents to take part in it. By imagining one movie, series, cartoon or some interesting character, you try to explain it by just using mimics and gesticulation.

3. Puzzle

Puzzles is one of the most accepted games among children of any age. Depending on the number of pieces, there are easier and harder ones. In any case, they influence in a fun way their problem solving capabilities.

2. Cards

With cards, you have a million choices of games! Moreover, each game is good for something different. If you browse the Internet just a bit, you can find a variety of games you can play with cards, and almost any of them influence some part of creativity.

1. Online Games

On the top of our list of problem solving games for kids are online games, mostly because of their variety and major current use of them. As it is impossible to name all of them, we advise you to check out Rush Hour and Riddle of the Sphinx, as the most helpful ones in problem salvation.