Valentine Secret Message Puzzle (Decode with Math)!
If you haven't guessed, we love treasure hunts, secret messages, and making learning fun!
Today we have a math activity for your curious kids: A secret message puzzle.
Who doesn't love decoding secret messages? Kids LOVE it and will even persevere through challenging math problems to find the secret clue! Boom...we just made math fun!
Access the Free Activity: Secret Message Puzzle Game
Although, I should warn you. This secret message requires you to hide a small prize. When your kid reads the secret message, LOOK IN THE SINK FOR THE PRIZE, they will expect a prize in the sink.
It doesn't have to be a big prize. In fact, Goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, and a coupon to stay up 15 minutes past bedtime are some of our household favorites.
It really doesn't matter what the prize is. Kids LOVE treasure hunts and solving puzzles to find a surprise!
After working hard to solve this puzzle game, you will want to reward your little one's effort!
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Valentine's Secret Message Puzzle Game
Targeted Skills:
- Counting
- addition
- subtraction
- place value (tens & ones)
- reading a message
- fine motor (cutting with scissors)
How to Play:
To play this fun activity, kids must first cut out the 24 squares at the bottom of the page (they are numbered from 1 to 24).*
*I take this opportunity to show my son how to strategically cut out these squares. If left to his own devices, he would cut out one square at a time (so inefficacy and so time-consuming). I teach him to cut out the large rectangle first. Next, cut them into strips. Finally, cut one at a time off each strip.
Teaching him to do it strategically helps him not get burned out with so much cutting!
Now the solving begins!
Kids solve addition, subtraction, place value, and counting object problems. Then they place the square with the answer on top. Once all the answer squares are placed, it will reveal a secret message.
Gimme this Free Math Activity!
Encourage Problem Solving...
At Blimey Box, we want to help you to develop your little creative thinkers.
We created our Blimey Box Game Kits to help busy parents (like you) teach their kids essential learning skills through screen-free play.
Introducing your child to math, reading, logic, and complex thinking doesn't have to be overwhelming or stressful. In fact, it can be fun and easy.
Parents who use our game kits tell us their kids LOVE learning this way. We have actually seen kids begging to play more games. (And by "games" we mean complex math and reading tasks).
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Your kids will love it!
It is amazing what your kid can do when inspired to push through challenging problems to reveal a secret code and unlock a treasure.
It’s pretty magical.
Basically, we want to help you create memorable and fun learning experiences for your kids (but with minimal prep). This activity is just print & play, so your child can just get to the learning fun.