Problem Solving Skills
The capacity to identify, analyse, and solve problems using logical reasoning and creative thinking.
Here’s a collection of practical activities to support the development of problem-solving skills for home educated children. These activities encourage children to think critically, explore solutions, and learn from trial and error—all in a fun and engaging way.
🧠 Why Problem Solving Matters
Problem-solving helps children:
Think logically and creatively
Make decisions and evaluate outcomes
Build resilience and independence
Apply learning to real-life situations
🎲 Game-Based Problem Solving
1. Puzzle Challenges
Use jigsaw puzzles, tangrams, or logic puzzles.
Encourage children to work through challenges step-by-step.
2. Escape Room at Home
Create clues and tasks that lead to a “final solution” or goal.
Use riddles, math problems, and physical challenges.
3. Board Games with Strategy
Games like Rush Hour, Mastermind, Chess, or Labyrinth.
Encourage planning, prediction, and adapting strategies.
🧪 STEM & Building Activities
4. Design & Build Challenges
Give children a task like:“Build a bridge that holds a book using only paper and tape.”
“Create a tower using spaghetti and marshmallows.”
Encourage testing and redesigning.
5. Simple Science Experiments
Pose a question (e.g., “Which material keeps ice cold longest?”).
Let children plan, test, and record results.
6. Coding for Kids
Use child-friendly platforms like Scratch or Blockly.
Create simple games or animations that require logical steps.
📚 Literacy & Thinking Activities
7. Story-Based Problem Solving
Read a story and ask:“What was the problem?”
“How did the character solve it?”
“Could they have done something different?”
8. Create a Problem & Solution Book
Children write or draw their own stories with a clear problem and resolution.
Builds narrative and reasoning skills.
9. Mystery Bag
Fill a bag with random items.
Ask: “Can you solve a problem using these?” (e.g., “How can you carry water without a cup?”)
🎭 Role Play & Real-Life Scenarios
10. Pretend Play Problem Solving
Set up scenarios like:“You’re lost in the jungle—how do you find your way?”
“You’re opening a shop—how do you attract customers?”
Encourage creative thinking and planning.
11. Decision-Making Dilemmas
Present choices:“You have 10 coins—do you buy one big toy or two small ones?”
“You forgot your lunch—what can you do?”
Discuss options and consequences.
🧺 Everyday Problem Solving Boosters
12. Cooking Challenges
Ask children to help solve cooking problems:“We’re out of eggs—what can we use instead?”
“How can we make this recipe healthier?”
13. Organise a Space
Give children a messy drawer or shelf.
Ask them to sort and organise it efficiently.
14. Plan a Day Out
Let children plan a pretend or real outing.
Consider budget, time, transport, and activities.
15. Fix-It Tasks
Present a broken toy or tangled necklace.
Ask children to figure out how to fix or untangle it.