Advent Brain Teasers, Logic Puzzles, and Math Problems 2025
Solve festive Christmas logic puzzles and holiday brain teasers, including code breakers and deduction grids, perfect for an interactive Advent calendar of daily family fun.
Last year I had a lot of fun putting together 25 different puzzles for the fun of solving together, so this year, I'm doing the same. I hope you all enjoy them once again as a family!! The target grade levels are Grades 2-5. You can expect to see new content popping up on a daily basis, so check back regularly.
Happy puzzling and have a lovely holiday as a family!
Day 1: The Elf Assembly Line 🎁
🔍 Answers
The pattern adds 3 toys each time. Box 10 will have 29 toys.
Rule: (Box Number × 3) - 1.
Day 2: Tangled Lights 🎄
🔍 Answers
From shortest to longest it is:Blue, Green, Red, White.
Day 3: Holiday Symbol Puzzle 🧩
🔍 Answers
- Step 1: Solve for the Bell (B)
- 3 times B = 30
- B = 10
- Step 2: Solve for the Tree (T)
- Substitute B=10 into Equation 2: 10 + T x 2 = 26
- T x 2 = 26 - 10
- T times 2 = 16
- T = 8
- Step 3: Solve for the Wreath (W)
- Substitute T=8 into Equation 3: 8 + W + W = 18
- 8 + 2 x W = 18
- 2 x W = 18 - 8
- 2W = 10
- W = 5
- Step 4: Solve the Final Equation
- Use the Order of Operations (Multiply first): B + T x W
- 10 + 8 x 5
- 10 + 40 = 50
The final value is 50.
Day 4: Squares Upon Squares in Your Wrapping 🎁
🔍 Answer
30 squares
- 1x1 squares:4×4=164 cross 4 equals 164×4=16
- 2x2 squares:3×3=93 cross 3 equals 93×3=9
- 3x3 squares:2×2=42 cross 2 equals 42×2=4
- 4x4 squares:1×1=11 cross 1 equals 11×1=1
As a bonus, think about if the whole package looks the same and has the same wrapping and pattern, how many squares would the whole package have visible?
Day 5: A Weighty Problem 🎅
🔍 Answer
1 Elf = 2 Candy Canes
Bag = 3 Elves
3 × 2 Canes = 6 Candy Canes
Day 6: Gingerbread Surface Area 🏠
🔍 Answer
Area of each triangular piece: 1/2 base x height
Half of 6 is 3, so 3 x 5 = 15
There are 2 triangles, so the area of the two triangles is 30 sq in
Area of base of gingerbread house is 6 x 8 = 48 sq in
Area of 2 long sides of base are 5 x 8 = 40, but there are 2 of them, so double that. 80 sq in
Area of the roof pieces. 6 x 9 = 54, doubled = 108
Shorter wall has an area of 5 x 6 = 30 sq in
Shorter wall with the door is 30 - (3 x 2) = 24 sq in
Put it all together:
30 + 48 + 80 + 108 + 30 + 24 = 320 square inches
Day 7: Secret Message Cipher 🔐
🔍 Answer
Plug in the letter for each number... and notice you have to figure out that D is 4 because it's before E.
The message is "Joy to the World!"
Day 8: The Ornament Mystery 🎄
🔍 Answer
Elf Ornament Location
Pixie Snowflake Tip Top
Jingles Star Top Branch
Tinsel Reindeer Middle Branch
Holly Bell Lower Branch
Day 9: Gifts on All Sides 🎁
🔍 Answer
6 on the front side and the back side. One on the top and 3 on each side.
6 + 6 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 19 faces
Day 10: Help Rudolph Get Home 🦌
🔍 Answer
Add up all the possible routes to find the shortest path.
Shortest is: 3 + 2 + 6.5 + 4.5 = 16km
Day 11: Fractional Snowflake ❄️
🔍 Answer
Count the number of total squares, that will be your denominator (144), then count the amount taken up by each color and put that as your numerator. Simplify if you can!
Grey: 6/144 = 1/24
White: 16/144 = 2/18
Blue: 122/144 = 61/72
Day 12: Penguin Organization 🐧
🔍 Answer
There are 6 different ways:
3 rows of 4, 4 rows of 3, 1 row of 12, 12 rows of 1, 2 rows of 6, or 6 rows of 2.
This could be a good introduction to discussing factors or the commutative property of multiplication.
Day 13: Triangular Tree 🎄
🔍 Answer
Side 1: 1 + 6 + 2
Side 2: 1 + 5 + 3 = 9 =9
Side 3: 2 + 4 + 3 = 9
Day 14: Stocking Stuffers 🧦
🔍 Answer
3 combinations: (Candy/Car), (Candy/Orange), (Car/Orange)
Bonus if you think about the option of two candy canes too!