How to play Crossing and Sharing Puzzles
- Choose a puzzle with the tabs.
- In the river puzzles, click a person or thing to move them across.
- Try again if something goes wrong. Planning ahead is the secret.
- Press Show the solution only when you have given it a good try.
Maths skills this game builds
- Planning ahead and working backwards
- Trial and improvement
- Adding and comparing times (bridge puzzle)
- Persistence in problem solving
Tips for parents and carers
- The bridge puzzle surprises most adults: the fastest people should not always cross with the torch.
- Talk about why your first attempt did not work. It is the best learning.
- Try acting out the fox, goose and corn puzzle with toys.
Using Crossing and Sharing Puzzles with a group or class
- Share your screen. Children tell you the next move and you click it. Ask them to predict what will go wrong before it does.
- The sharing puzzles (cake, fishing, jugs, eggs) are good quick fillers for the end of a session.
- Challenge: what is the fewest number of crossings or minutes? (7 crossings, 17 minutes.)
Frequently asked questions
How many crossings does the fox, goose and corn puzzle need?
7 crossings, which is the fewest possible.
What is the quickest time for the bridge and torch puzzle?
17 minutes with these four people (1, 2, 5 and 10 minutes).
Are there more puzzles like this?
Yes. Try The Heavy Coin and Who Is Telling the Truth? for more classic logic puzzles.