Why children love them
A mystery picture turns a page of number recognition or math facts into a puzzle with a payoff. Children want to see what the picture is, so they keep going, and every square they color is one more fact practiced. Because a wrong answer shows up as a square of the wrong color, they can often spot and fix their own mistakes.
Three ways to play
- Numbers. Match each number to its color in the key.
- Sums. Addition within 10, every answer from 2 to 10.
- Take away. Subtraction within 20, every answer from 2 to 10.
More puzzles
Try dot to dot for counting in order and mazes for pencil control. For more practice with the same facts, the addition worksheets come with answer keys too.
Common Core standards
- K.OA.A.2Add and subtract within 10 using objects or drawings.
- 1.OA.C.6Add and subtract within 20.
Summaries in our own words; see the Common Core State Standards for the full text.
