kindergarten problem solving activities

17 Fun Problem Solving Activities for Kids

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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.

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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.

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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.

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. 

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 .

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

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:

• 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.

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.

(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

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

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25 Kindergarten STEM Challenges That Little Ones Will Love

They’re never too young to create and explore!

STEM challenges are such a fun way for kids to explore how the world works. By building and creating, they learn problem-solving skills and get hands-on experience with physics, engineering, and more. These kindergarten STEM challenges prove that even little ones have plenty of ingenuity and inspiration.

The best part? These challenges are so easy to set up. They require only basic supplies, like wood craft sticks, pipe cleaners, or blocks. Just post one of these kindergarten STEM challenges on your whiteboard, explain the requirements, pass out the supplies, and watch young minds grow!

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25 Kindergarten STEM Challenges

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Use pipe cleaners to make a new kind of bubble wand.

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Take a walk outside and find at least five items to use as paintbrushes.

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Build the tallest tower you can using wood craft sticks and clothespins.

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Use one can of shaving cream to build the tallest structure you can.

Stack 15 plastic cups into the tallest tower possible.

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Build the tallest tower possible using buttons and Play-Doh.

Use a cardboard box, wood craft sticks, construction paper, and supplies like scissors and glue to build a monster trap.

Make a domino chain reaction that includes two curves.

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Use newspapers and masking tape to make a tent for a stuffed animal.

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Scoop up one cup of random LEGO bricks and use it to make a new kind of animal.

Use plastic straws and masking tape to build the tallest possible tower.

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Design a repeating pattern necklace from Cheerios and colored beads.

Find three different things to fill plastic eggs to make them sink to the bottom of a tub of water.

Make a snowflake from toothpicks and mini marshmallows.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! Use blocks and wood craft sticks to make a coconut tree that holds as many alphabet magnets or beads as possible.

Construct a house from drinking straws and Play-Doh. You can cut the straws if you like.

Build a fence for toy animals using wood craft sticks and Play-Doh.

100 Day Challenge! Use 100 of something (blocks, LEGO bricks, pipe cleaners, etc.) to make a creation that celebrates your 100th day of school.

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15 Best Problem Solving Activities: Foster Critical Thinking

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.

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15 Best Problem Solving Activities for Kids

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?

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.

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The Best Logic Games for Kindergarten

Have you ever used logic games and puzzles in your kindergarten classroom? There are many ways that you can use these activities in your daily routine!  In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite logic games for kindergarten!  

What Are Logic Games?

Logic games are activities that require students to use critical thinking skills in order to solve a puzzle or problem.  Logic games often include patterns, sequences, or some other connection that students need to identify in order to find the solution. There are printable logic puzzles and games that you can use in the classroom, but I’m partial to hands-on logic board games! 

*Please note the Amazon links included in this post are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase using the links. These commissions help keep the blog up and running.

Benefits of Using Logic Games in Kindergarten

Logic games can be such a helpful learning tool in the kindergarten classroom!  There are many reasons why you should have a few of these trusty games in your teacher toolbox.

First, logic games are one of my favorite low-prep activities for kindergarten! Everything you need is included in the box, including visual directions that even the youngest students can understand.  If you think your students might have trouble navigating the activity for the first time, you can demonstrate it in front of the class first.  It usually takes just a few minutes for students to get the hang of the activity!

Another benefit of logic games is that they are very versatile!  You can add this low-prep learning activity to any part of your daily routine.  You could use a logic game as one of your center rotations. It could also be used as an option for fast finishers!  Logic puzzles could also be used as a soft-start activity option for your classroom's morning routine . There are so many possibilities!

Practice Problem-Solving

In a previous post, I talked about how important it is for kindergarteners to practice problem-solving skills in the classroom .  Logic puzzles are a great way for students to do this!  The answers aren’t readily apparent and students have to rely on their own reasoning skills to come up with a solution.

Build Confidence

As students work hard to solve the problem in a logic game, it gives them the opportunity to persevere!  Working hard on a puzzle takes mental stamina, which needs to be exercised regularly.  As students experience success with logic games, they are able to build their confidence.

What I love about logic puzzles is that some students really excel in this area!  Students don’t have to be strong with words or numbers in order to come up with a solution. It’s always amazing to see students light up with confidence when they are able to solve these logic games!

Three of the Best Logic Games for Kindergarten

One of my favorite brands of logic games for kindergarten is Smart Games.  (I am not an affiliate of their company, just a very happy customer!) What I love about their games is that the format for each game is very similar.  Students always know that they should look for the small booklet that comes with the activity.  The routine is the same, but each game is challenging in a different way.

1. Color Code

The first of my favorite logic board games is Color Code . This activity challenges students’ visual reasoning skills as they try to build a shape shown in the booklet.  Each game piece is a clear square with a colorful shape.  As students create a stack of these clear pieces, they can attempt to match the target shape.

The puzzles progress from “Starter” to “Master,” so this activity will be engaging for all of the students (and even adult visitors) in your classroom.  

Trucky 3 is another fun activity for young students!  This adorable logic game uses small dump trucks with transparent beds.  Each page of the game booklet shows which truck students should use and which pieces they will need to fit inside the bed of the truck. The only rule is that the pieces have to sit flush with the top of the truck bed.  

Students will rearrange the pieces until they are able to find the correct configuration (there is only one solution to each puzzle).  Once students think they have it figured out, they can turn the page to check their work!

One thing I love about this logic game is that students are also using their fine motor skills as they pick up, turn, and place the blocks. Any time students can work on their pincer grasp,  in-hand manipulation, and hand-eye coordination, I’m all for it!

3. Three Little Piggies

Finally, Three Little Piggies is another fun logic game to include in your classroom.  I always liked to have this game available for fast finishers during our fairy tale unit! 

The game comes with three pig playing pieces, a wolf, and then the pigs’ three houses.  Each house is attached to a lawn of a different shape to create a puzzle piece of sorts.  The goal of the puzzle is to get the houses to fit on the game board with the animals.

This game actually has two different versions.  The first version uses only the pigs. Students are trying to place the puzzle pieces so that all of the pigs can play outside of their houses.  In the second version, students are placing the houses on top of the pigs to protect them from the wolf.

Just like the other puzzles, there is only one solution for each challenge in the booklet.  Students can turn the page to check their work or to find the answer if they are stumped.

Kindergarten Logic Games: A Closer Look

If you’d like to take a closer look at these games and hear more about how I used them in my classroom, check out this video!

Save These Logic Game Ideas for Kindergarten

If you are short on time but want to find these games later, just save this post! You can add the pin below to your favorite teaching board on Pinterest.  You’ll be able to quickly find these logic game ideas when you’re looking for a low prep activity to use in your classroom.

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10 Simple Activities to Teach Your Preschooler Problem Solving

By: Author Tanja McIlroy

Posted on Last updated: 9 May 2024

Categories Activities for Preschoolers & Kindergarteners

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

• Four wooden jigsaw puzzles: a fish, a dog, a cat, and a bird
• 12-piece puzzles

2. Memory games

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

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. 

(Get your own set of printable memory card games here!)

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.

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4.  Activity Books

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

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

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• 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.

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

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8.  Tic-Tac-Toe

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

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

• Wooden tic-tac-toe game board with eye-catching red, orange, blue, and green color pattern
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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 .

• Non-Toxic Formula: Our sidewalk chalk is specially formulated to minimize chalk dust and is safe for indoor...
• Convenient Packaging: Comes in a 20-piece plastic bucket with a lid and handle for easy transport and storage.

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.

Are you a preschool teacher or working in Early Childhood Education? Would you like to receive regular emails with useful tips and play-based activity ideas to try with your children? Sign up for the newsletter!

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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

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Making 10 and problem solving games.

This set of making 10  and  problem solving online activities focuses on the following foundational skills:

• Missing Addends
• Solving for 10
• Numbers to 100 on a Hundreds Chart
• Using Data in Categories
• Number Patterns

This set focuses on solving problems in multiple ways or getting more than one answer or solution.

Games linked from this page practice Common Core Standards: K.MD.3,   K.OA.3 ,  K.OA.4 ,  K.CC.5 ,  K.CC.6

25+ Amazing Activities for Kindergarten (Printables + Reels)

You might be surprised to know that kindergarten activities are the best to help your 5 to 10 years old kid for Holistic Development! Kindergarten is like a treasure chest full of fun and learning waiting to be unlocked.

From counting colorful blocks to exploring nature in the backyard, there’s always something new and exciting to discover. These activities aren’t just games; they’re the building blocks of skills like reading, writing, and problem-solving.

So, put on your explorer hat and get ready to start on a journey where every activity is a chance to learn, grow, and make unforgettable memories!

Table of Contents

Fascinating Kindergarten Activities

Letter recognition activities.

Kindergarten letter recognition activities focus on helping children identify and distinguish letters of the alphabet.

These activities often include letter sorting games, alphabet puzzles , and letter hunts, which engage children in hands-on learning to recognize and differentiate between letters, laying a solid foundation for literacy skills.

Graphing Activities

Graphing activities in kindergarten introduce children to basic data representation and analysis.

Kindergarteners engage in activities such as tallying and graphing favorite colors, animals, or snacks, which not only develop their understanding of organizing information but also foster early math skills like counting and comparing quantities.

Sequencing Activities

Kindergarten sequencing activities help children understand the concept of order and sequence.

Through activities such as sequencing story events, sequencing number or letter cards, and arranging picture cards in chronological order, kindergarteners develop important cognitive skills like logical thinking and comprehension.

Listening Activities for Kids

Kindergarten listening activities aim to enhance children’s auditory processing skills and comprehension.

These activities include listening to stories, following oral directions, and playing listening games like “Simon Says.” By practicing active listening, kindergarteners improve their attention span, language development, and ability to follow instructions.

Activities to Encourage Independence

Kindergarten activities focused on independence aim to foster self-reliance and autonomy in children. These activities may include organizing personal belongings, completing simple tasks without assistance, and making choices independently.

By promoting independence, kindergarteners develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of responsibility for their actions.

Drawing People Activities

Drawing people activities in kindergarten encourage children to explore human anatomy and express themselves creatively. These activities may involve drawing self-portraits, family portraits, or depicting different occupations.

By practicing drawing people, kindergarteners develop fine motor skills and spatial awareness while expressing their imagination and understanding of the world around them.

Position in Space Activities

Position in space activities for kindergarten introduce children to spatial concepts such as above, below, beside, and between.

These activities may include building with blocks to understand positional relationships, following directional cues in games, and arranging objects in different spatial arrangements.

By engaging in position in space activities , kindergarteners develop spatial reasoning skills essential for math and problem-solving.

Bilateral Coordination Activities

Bilateral coordination activities in kindergarten focus on developing coordination between the two sides of the body.

These activities may include cutting with scissors, threading beads, or completing puzzles. By practicing bilateral coordination, kindergarteners improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination , and the ability to perform tasks that require both hands to work together.

Drawing Activities

Drawing activities in kindergarten allow children to express their creativity and imagination through art. These activities may include free drawing, guided drawing lessons, or drawing from observation.

By engaging in drawing activities, kindergarteners enhance fine motor skills, visual-spatial awareness, and self-expression while gaining confidence in their artistic abilities.

Light Table Activities

Light table activities in kindergarten provide sensory exploration and hands-on learning experiences. Children engage in activities such as tracing shapes, experimenting with translucent materials, or exploring color mixing.

These activities promote creativity, fine motor skills, and scientific inquiry while captivating children’s interest in a unique and visually stimulating way.

Bubble Activities

Bubble activities in kindergarten offer playful experiences that engage children’s senses and promote motor skills development .

Children may participate in blowing bubbles, chasing bubbles, or creating bubble art. These activities encourage experimentation, observation, and imaginative play while fostering social interaction and joyous laughter.

Art Activities

Art activities in kindergarten encompass a wide range of creative expressions, including drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture. Children explore different mediums, techniques, and themes to create unique artworks.

These activities encourage self-expression, fine motor development, and appreciation for aesthetics while nurturing children’s confidence and imagination.

Water Table Activities

Water table activities in kindergarten provide opportunities for sensory exploration, experimentation, and cooperative play.

Kids will engage in pouring, scooping, or floating objects in the water table. These activities promote scientific inquiry, mathematical concepts, and social skills development while offering refreshing and enjoyable sensory experiences.

Outdoor Art Activities

Outdoor art activities in kindergarten take learning beyond the classroom walls and into nature’s inspiring canvas. Children may engage in nature-inspired art projects, land art, or plein air painting.

These activities foster a connection to the natural world, stimulate creativity, and encourage observation and appreciation for the environment.

January Activities

January activities in kindergarten mark the beginning of a new year with opportunities for reflection, goal-setting, and winter-themed fun.

Kids may engage in snowflake crafts, New Year’s resolutions, or learning about winter animals. These activities foster a sense of renewal, curiosity, and resilience as children start on a new chapter.

February Activities

February activities in kindergarten celebrate love, friendship, and diversity through engaging thematic lessons and festive crafts.

Kids will participate in Valentine’s Day card-making, Black History Month projects, or exploring winter sports. These activities promote empathy, cultural awareness, and creative expression while fostering a sense of community and belonging.

March Activities

March activities in kindergarten welcome the arrival of spring with lively explorations of nature, weather, and seasonal traditions.

Children may engage in planting seeds, learning about St. Patrick’s Day, or exploring the changing landscape outdoors.

These activities inspire curiosity, environmental stewardship, and a sense of wonder as children observe the signs of spring’s emergence.

April Activities

April activities in kindergarten embrace the beauty of spring with nature-inspired adventures, Earth Day projects, and opportunities for outdoor exploration. Children may participate in gardening, recycling initiatives, or learning about Earth’s ecosystems.

These activities promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and appreciation for the natural world’s wonders.

May Activities

May activities in kindergarten celebrate growth, creativity, and the approaching end of the school year with joyful festivities and meaningful projects. Kids will engage in spring concerts, Mother’s Day crafts, or outdoor play.

These activities foster a sense of accomplishment, connection, and anticipation as children reflect on their achievements and look forward to summer adventures.

June Activities

June activities in kindergarten celebrate the arrival of summer and offer opportunities for seasonal learning and exploration. Kids can participate in gardening, outdoor play, or end-of-year celebrations.

These activities promote outdoor engagement, social connection, and reflection on the past school year while welcoming the joys of summertime.

July Activities

July activities in kindergarten embrace the warmth of summer with engaging outdoor adventures and seasonal celebrations.

Kids can do Fourth of July festivities, nature walks, or picnics in the park. These activities encourage exploration, socialization, and appreciation for the summer season’s delights.

August Activities

August activities in kindergarten welcome the return to school with excitement, anticipation, and opportunities for new beginnings. Children may participate in back-to-school preparations, community-building activities, or exploring classroom routines.

These activities promote a positive transition to the new school year, social connection, and a sense of belonging in the classroom community.

September Activities

September activities in kindergarten mark the beginning of the academic year with opportunities for establishing routines, building friendships, and exploring new learning adventures.

Children will engage in getting-to-know-you games, classroom scavenger hunts, or fall-themed crafts. These activities promote a smooth transition into the school year, socialization, and excitement for learning.

Drawing People

Drawing people activities in kindergarten encourage children to develop their artistic skills and explore human anatomy. Kids will draw self-portraits, family members, or characters from stories.

These activities foster fine motor skills, observation, and self-expression, allowing children to depict the diversity of human forms and emotions.

Gross Motor Toys

Gross motor toys in kindergarten provide children with opportunities for active play and physical development . Children may engage in riding tricycles, playing with balls, or climbing structures.

These toys promote coordination, balance, and strength while encouraging social interaction, teamwork, and outdoor exploration.

Benefits of Sandplay

Sandplay activities in kindergarten offer children a sensory-rich experience that promotes creativity, emotional expression, and problem-solving skills. Kids will engage in building sandcastles, digging trenches, or exploring sensory bins filled with sand.

These activities foster imagination, relaxation, and self-regulation while providing opportunities for symbolic play and exploring natural materials.

In summary, kindergarten activities are vital for children’s growth. They learn letters, numbers, and how to play with friends. Whether they’re drawing, playing outside, or building with blocks, these activities help kids learn and have fun at the same time.

By doing these activities, kids become smarter and happier, getting ready for the big world ahead.

I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my  Next startup  Cledemy.Com )

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10 kindergarten problem solving skills for your little champ.

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One fine day, I was making my 5 year old memorize his dad’s number – you know, just in case of an emergency! After spending roughly half an hour on the exercise, I decided to test what his little mind had grasped.

“Ok honey, if mommy suddenly falls sick and can’t get out of bed, what are you going to do?”

He didn’t even bat an eyelid before replying, “I’ll eat all the choco-chip cookies I can find in the kitchen.”

To his credit, he did come up with a creative answer to the question… just that it wasn’t exactly the kind of problem solving skill I was hoping for him to acquire!

Trying to bury this particular episode in some remote corner of my brain, I once again bravely attempted to improve my creative child’s problem solving skills – this time around, with desired results (thankfully!).

So here are the 10 kindergarten problem solving skills for kids that helped my little one get smarter while keeping him thoroughly entertained too, an impressive feat to achieve!

1. Puzzle Time

My kindergartener loves to click pictures on my phone, so if anyone happens to open my gallery, they’d know how much I adore my pet dog and my son’s Mickey Mouse pyjamas and his storybooks and the ceiling of my room and of course, the darned choco-chip cookies!

Anyway, if your little one is a budding photographer too, just get a few of his works printed, paste the pictures on a cardboard and cut them carefully to form puzzles for him to solve.

2. What’s in the Bag

This activity is all about letting your child explore the sense of touch. Collect a few different-shaped and sized objects like ball, plush toy, book, comb, keys, crayon, spoon etc. and put them all in a bag.

Now let your child touch each object one-by-one and identify what it is. Once she identifies all objects correctly, you can increase the level of difficulty by opting for objects that are slightly similar like different plush animals (same size) or cars of different models.

Mazes are an engaging activity that kids love. Problem-solving with mazes requires your child to concentrate in a fun way and they help hone her motor skills too.

You can find a number of free printable mazes on the Internet according to your child’s age. Alternatively, you can create them at home too.

Pro Tip: Help Your Child Become Better at Problem Solving

Enroll your child for the Atlas Mission and let your child play with this award-winning educational program. Your child will become better at problem solving without even realizing it!

4. Duplicate my Structure

I am sure your kindergartener must be having truckloads of building blocks of every shape and size. Every kindergartener does.

Now it is time for you to get creative and build a model out of those blocks. Remember to spare enough blocks for your child to duplicate the model. Set a time limit for her to finish the task.

Start by building easy models and then move on to difficult ones.

5. Shape Sudoku

Sudoku is an interesting Japanese puzzle where the player is required to fill empty places in a grid with numbers, making sure no number is repeated in a row or column.

Shape Sudoku replaces numbers with shapes, to make it more fun for kindergarteners, and is a great way to improve your little one’s problem solving skills. You can give him a 4*4 grid for starters and then gradually raise the level of difficulty.

There are scores of simple, printable shape Sudoku puzzles  available on the Internet, so just print a few and treat yourself to a relaxing evening while your little monster gets busy wracking his tiny brain.

6. Treasure Hunt

This is an activity my kid absolutely loves, though I believe that’s because he gets his favorite snack in the end! I just tape little notes in different corners of his room, each note giving a clue on where to find the next one, and the last one leading him to his snack.

Not only did treasure hunt help hone my child’s problem solving skills, it also made him learn how to read words like cupboard, flower pot, laptop, pen holder, school bag etc. Good job, mommy (patting my back)!

7. My Name in the Square

Now that’s a game most of us played when we were kindergarteners. I remember I did and was quite good at it too (so that kind of explains why I’m such a problem-solving genius. At least, that’s what my husband believes, bless him!).

So to play this game, make rows of dots, you can start with six dots in six rows. Now take turns with your child drawing one line to connect two dots, either horizontally or vertically. One who completes a box writes their name in it and takes another turn. The one with more names in the boxes wins.

Pro Tip: If you don’t want a wailing child at the end of the evening, let him win a few games too. I know it is hard, but give it a try!

8. Trial and Error Learning

Whenever we buy a new gadget, we usually spend a good deal of time trying to figure out how it works, don’t we? Since I am more technologically challenged than I would care to admit, I sometimes end up spending days understanding the nitty-gritties of my new gadgets.

Now this is exactly what you need to do with your kiddo too. When you’re giving him a new toy/game, don’t tell him right away how it works. Let him struggle a bit and discover things through ‘trial and error’.

As a parent, I know you’ll feel the urge to step in and make things simpler for your munchkin. But I assure you, his joy of solving a new puzzle all by himself, or of figuring out how the controls of his latest car work will be unmatched.

9. ‘What will you do?’ Game

All the above mentioned problem solving skills require your little one to use her brain creatively, which is great, but what about the problems your child might encounter while interacting socially?

This activity involves giving your child a particular situation, framing a set of ‘What will you do?’ questions and then giving her four alternatives for each.

For example: If you fall down in class and your friend starts laughing, what will you do?

• Get up like nothing happened and go back to your seat.
• Ask her to stop as there’s nothing funny about it.
• Start crying.
• Stop talking to her for a while.

To make this activity more interesting and fun, you can draw the four alternatives on a piece of paper and then ask your child to color the one she’d choose. Since I suck at drawing, I got the pictures printed instead.

10. Put my Lid Back

Take a few empty bottles and jars of varying sizes and unscrew their caps/lids. Now ask your child genius to put the correct lid on each one. Again you can use a stopwatch to check how much time he takes to finish the task.

So these 10 kindergarten problem solving skills for kids are sure to give an edge to your little one’s already impressive personality and ensure he keeps himself busy doing something productive too, for a change! And yes, you can thank me later!

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Pooja Jain creates educational content for the Atlas Mission . She is a mother of two sweethearts, a travel enthusiast and a self-proclaimed singer. On days she’s not busy running after her little humans, you can find her reading fiction while downing copious amounts of coffee.

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KINDERGARTEN MATH PROBLEM SOLVING

Organize your routines to promote plenty of kindergarten math problem solving.

It’ll help children make sense of math concepts as they solve problems using real life objects and everyday situations that they can relate to.

When children learn to recognize a problem, try a few problem solving strategies, suggest a variety of solutions to solve the problem, and finally, test their ideas. They will gain confidence and have a chance to use skills that they have learned previously.

Keep Math Problem Solving Activities Simple

• Jars from pasta sauce and other products work well also.
• Ask parents to save clean jar lids that are large enough to hold 3 one-inch blocks. Check there are no sharp edges.
• Cups are too deep for the following activities as the children cannot easily see how many counters they have put into each cup.

Literature based problem solving games…

Game – Birthday party across the river

Set up the problem by reading a book such as Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present.

After reading it, talk about:

• What was the little girl’s problem?
• What did she do to solve it?
• How did Mr. Rabbit help?
• How did they solve the problem?

Boats and River Game

• Boats – One jar lid per child (such as the ones that pasta sauce comes in) that hold 3 one-inch Unifix™ cubes. The lids represent the boats.
• Presents – Ten one-inch Unifix™ cubes for each student. These represent the presents. Vary the number of blocks, depending on the children’s abilities.
• 1/2 sheet of blue construction paper cut lengthwise – this is the river
• Recording sheet and pencils
• Introduce the problem – Tell your students that you are pretending that all ten of Mr. Rabbit’s  presents (cubes) have to get across the river for a birthday party. The presents will have to go in the boats (jar lids) but can not be stacked on top of each other or they will fall in the water. Only 3 presents can fit into a boat but all the presents have to get to the party.
• How many trips across the river does your boat need to take?
• Each child loads their boat with 3 cubes and take them across the river then unloads their boat
• Children record each trip with a tally line.
• Vary the number of blocks with each game

Sharing type problem solving …

• Counters, blocks or crackers
• Small paper plates – 4 per child
• Lids and blocks as above

Focus on different ways of solving the problems. Vary the games and materials each time:

• Game #1 – Say to the children – “You have 4 plates, one for each friend, and 12 crackers. How can you make sure that all your friends get the same number of crackers?”
• Game #2 – Each child gets 4 lids and 12 blocks. “How you can put the blocks into the lids so all the lids have the same number of blocks?”
• Game #3 – Each child gets 2 plates. Goldfish type crackers are in bowls near the children. “How can we figure out how many crackers we will need if each plate has 10 crackers?”

Seating & PE equipment type kindergarten problem solving …

One group of children watches while the other group acts out the problem.

Prompt with suggestions as necessary. E.G. How could we figure that out? All the children can contribute ideas to solve these types of problems.

#1 – Four children can sit around each table. We have 12 children. How can we figure out how many tables we need so everybody can sit down?

#2 – We have 6 balls and 12 children. How can we share the balls so all the children get to play with the same number of balls?

#3 – This group has 4 children. If each child jumps 3 times, how can we keep track of how many jumps will they jump all together?

Tip – Save these types of problems for after the children have had plenty of activity and are ready to sit and rest for a while.

Spatial type problem solving

• Pattern blocks

Ask questions such as the ones below.

1. How many ways can you make a bird (or flower or star…) using only 5 pattern blocks? Children spend 5 minutes making birds. Have them count the number of pattern blocks in each bird as they sometimes get carried away and end up making a bird with many more blocks!

2. Show me how you can make 3 different stars can with your pattern blocks?

Recording problem solving activities

Prompt students to record the results of most activities, even if they are only able to make a simple picture.

Many opportunities for math problem solving will arise in a regular preschool or kindergarten day.

• Keep problem solving simple and age appropriate
• Focus on problems that have open-ended results
• If children get frustrated, give them the option of leaving the problem and coming back to it later

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