Printable Scholar

Free Printable Math Puzzles

Math puzzles that make students think, not just compute. Each one-page sheet has four kinds of puzzle: picture equations, "what is my number?", a how-many-of-each puzzle with a table to try ideas in, and number patterns or riddles. Every puzzle has exactly one answer, and the answer key is on page 2.

Math Puzzles: Grades 1–2, Set A printable preview

Math Puzzles: Grades 1–2, Set A

Grades 1–2

Apples and fish, a missing number, ducks and cats, and three number patterns. Includes answer key.

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Math Puzzles: Grades 1–2, Set B printable preview

Math Puzzles: Grades 1–2, Set B

Grades 1–2

Cookies and frogs, a missing number, chickens and dogs, and three number patterns. Includes answer key.

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Math Puzzles: Grades 1–2, Set C printable preview

Math Puzzles: Grades 1–2, Set C

Grades 1–2

Bears and balloons, a missing number, ducks and cows, and three number patterns. Includes answer key.

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Math Puzzles: Grades 3–4, Set A printable preview

Math Puzzles: Grades 3–4, Set A

Grades 3–4

Monkeys and bears, two-step missing numbers, chickens and cows, and three number riddles. Includes answer key.

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Math Puzzles: Grades 3–4, Set B printable preview

Math Puzzles: Grades 3–4, Set B

Grades 3–4

Foxes and cats, two-step missing numbers, ducks and dogs, and three number riddles. Includes answer key.

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Math Puzzles: Grades 3–4, Set C printable preview

Math Puzzles: Grades 3–4, Set C

Grades 3–4

Cats and dogs, two-step missing numbers, chickens and horses, and three number riddles. Includes answer key.

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About the Math Puzzles

Picture equations use pictures in place of numbers: if apple + apple = 8, the apple must be 4. They are a first taste of algebra, and children treat them as a game. What is my number? puzzles have to be worked backwards: undo the last step first.

How many of each? puzzles give a number of animals and a number of legs. There is no single sum to do, so students try an idea in the table, see how far off it is and adjust. That habit of testing a guess and improving it is worth more than the answer.

The grades 1 and 2 sheets finish with number patterns. The grades 3 and 4 sheets finish with Who am I? riddles that use even and odd, multiples and place value. A star marks the harder puzzle in each section. For puzzles without numbers, see the logic grid puzzles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grades are these math puzzles for?
Grades 1 to 4. Three sheets are written for grades 1 and 2, using adding and subtracting within 20. Three are for grades 3 and 4, using the times tables and two-step thinking.
Does every puzzle have one answer?
Yes. Each puzzle is checked by a program before it is printed, and a puzzle with no answer or more than one answer is not used.
How should I use them?
They work well for early finishers, for a Friday challenge, or as a warm-up to talk through as a class. Each sheet takes most students 15 to 25 minutes.
Do the puzzles have answer keys?
Yes. Every sheet is a two-page PDF with the answer key on the second page.