Resources for Challenging Young Mathematicians
Do you have one of those kids who excels in math and needs more? Here are some resources I've found to be helpful... whether for use at home, or within the classroom, these are sure to help generate deeper thinking and growth mindset, perhaps providing your child with challenge they've never met before. Be prepared with some of these to hear your child say, "This is hard!" If they do, congratulations, you've helped them meet their match, now just help them push through to succeed!
Please note that some of these links may generate a small commission for me which helps me keep Raising Thinkers going strong.
Puzzle Workbooks
Beast Academy has developed a full elementary curriculum, I haven't bought into that quite yet (although they are great if you have a child who enjoys graphic novels/comics), but I love their Puzzle Books and have used them with students in multiple grade levels. The "level" corresponds to your child's grade level. Sometimes you can find them on Amazon, but not always.
Beast Academy Puzzles Level 1
Beast Academy Puzzle Books turn problem-solving into play, with mind-stretching challenges designed to thrill and grow the sharpest young mathematicians.
Mashup Math has always been a favorite of mine to use to have a fun, puzzle type of warm up for classes. The pictures make is engaging and seemingly easy, essentially beginning the concepts of algebraic thinking without students even realizing what they're doing. They have their own mathematical version of two truths and a lie, as well as all sort of Puzzles with a volume 1 and a volume 2 (pictured below). It's definitely a go-to for fun challenges!
Mashup Math Puzzles
The Mashup Math Puzzle Book blends brainteasers, riddles, and math challenges that stretch problem-solving skills while keeping kids hooked.
Conversation Starters
Which one doesn't belong? are such great ways to generate conversation... start with an image, dig deep into concepts. I love how each prompt can invite kids to justify multiple right answers, building reasoning skills and confidence upon their mathematical understandings. Encourage them to use mathematical vocabulary, or even to create their own!
Same but Different Math helps develop critical thinking and helps children explain their thinking. Many kids who are sharp with math are strong with the arithmetic, but struggle in other areas, challenges like these, which are seemingly simple, can help balance them out and extend their understanding.
Estimation such as prompts from Estimysteries, is more than a quick math trick, it builds number sense, flexible thinking, and the ability to check whether answers make sense. Research shows that strong estimation skills are closely tied to future success in higher-level mathematics and problem-solving, because they train the brain to see patterns, compare quantities, and make decisions with incomplete information. In fact, experts point to estimation as one of the critical future-ready skills, since it mirrors the kind of reasoning we all need.
Open Middle has challenging problems with a “closed beginning, closed end, and open middle,” which essentially means each problem starts the same and ends with the same result, but allows multiple solution paths in between. These tasks elevate thinking by requiring deeper reasoning, flexibility, and strategy, often leading to richer discussion and insights into a child's understanding.
Competition Math Problems
I used these problems and thinking strategies with students in a gifted program I helped lead in the past. The problems are great and I love that it gives a basis for teaching different ways of tackling problems. Unfortunately, the competition isn't around any more, but there are others.
If you have a Middle Schooler, even if homeschooled, you can sign them up for MathCounts and have them participate in a local competition. I've helped mentor students in this before and they enjoy the problems the organization shares as well as the competition itself.
Games and Puzzles
Math for Love has some great, simple game suggestions which build logical thinking and strategy, along with the math skills.
Prime Climb is a specific board game from Math for Love which pushes for number and pattern recognition, building the love of the beauty of math into young minds, even without them knowing it.
Prime Climb
Prime Climb challenges sharp young minds with strategy, number theory, and problem-solving, all wrapped in a vibrant, family-friendly game.
Patchwork Express is a quick, colorful strategy game where kids flex spatial reasoning and planning skills while racing to stitch the perfect quilt. It's a shorter, quicker version of Patchwork, which has been highly acclaimed over and over again, even as something that can help prepare for dental school!
You can never go wrong with a set of pentominos or a similar puzzle to help build their grit and reasoning.
Classic 3D Pentominoes
3D Pentominoes spark creative problem-solving as kids build, balance, and unlock endless geometric challenges in hands-on play.
I grew up playing with Tangrams, and we even made mini sets as wedding gifts for our attendees, so I'm partial to them. Great for problem solving and learning to manipulate space and shapes. This correlates to flexible thinking later on as they will be manipulating algebraic equations before you know it!
Tangrams
Dueling Tangrams invite players to stretch spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills as they race to bring shapes to life side by side. Solo play is also an option.
Want more gift or game ideas... I have a post for that. Check it out here.
Hope these might be helpful and keep on raising those thinkers! It can be hard, but it's absolutely worth it!