Welcome to Maths For Fun – where mathematical curiosity meets pure enjoyment for learners of all ages! Founded by a team of lifelong maths enthusiasts, we believe that numbers aren’t just for tests – they’re for exploration, discovery, and delight. Whether you’re eight or eighty, a beginner or a seasoned problem solver, you’ll find a growing collection of logic based games and puzzles that cover every corner of mathematics.
Helping Neurodiverse Learners with Maths
Everything we create is built around helping neurodiverse learners with maths. We understand that not everyone thinks or learns in the same way, and traditional methods don’t always bring out the best in every student. That’s why our puzzles and resources are designed to be clear, flexible, and engaging – ensuring learners with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other diverse needs can succeed and enjoy the process. By starting with inclusivity, we aim to give every learner the chance to feel confident and positive about maths.
Why Puzzles Work for Neurodiverse Learners
When it comes to helping neurodiverse learners with maths, puzzles provide a unique advantage. They are structured, purposeful, and rewarding – offering a sense of achievement at every step. Instead of overwhelming students with repetitive sums, puzzles invite them to explore patterns, test ideas, and find creative solutions. This makes learning feel less like a chore and more like a challenge to enjoy.
Our puzzle designs also focus on simplicity. Clear instructions, uncluttered layouts, and logical progressions reduce distractions and keep the focus on problem-solving. Because puzzles can be scaled in difficulty, teachers and families can adapt them to the needs of each learner, creating both support and stretch as required.
Tailored Suggestions for Different Neurodiverse Minds
Every learner is unique, but here are some ways to adapt our puzzles to support different neurodiverse learning styles.
Autistic
Use structure and routine: Introduce puzzles at the same time in each lesson or study session, building comfort and predictability.
Highlight logical progressions: Encourage learners to spot step-by-step patterns in puzzles like Chain Reaction or Grid Sum, which suit systematic thinking.
Minimise distractions: Present one puzzle at a time with a clear layout, reducing visual clutter to keep focus on the task.
ADHD
Short bursts of engagement: Use quick puzzles like Riddle Solver or Equation Detective to capture attention and maintain momentum.
Incorporate movement: Turn puzzles into group activities or station challenges around the classroom to allow learners to move while thinking.
Reward persistence: Celebrate each solved step, giving learners a sense of achievement even if they don’t complete the full puzzle straight away.
Dyslexia
Keep instructions clear and visual: Use puzzles with diagrams or symbols, and read instructions aloud if needed.
Highlight key words: Break down longer instructions by underlining or colour-coding important steps.
Encourage collaborative solving: Pair learners with a peer to read aloud while they focus on the problem-solving itself.
Dyspraxia
Offer alternatives to writing: Let learners explain their reasoning verbally or use counters and diagrams instead of relying on handwriting.
Break down tasks: Choose puzzles that can be completed in smaller steps, such as Variable Vault, to avoid overwhelming motor planning.
Use supportive layouts: Provide printed puzzles with larger spaces and uncluttered designs to reduce fine-motor strain.
Dyscalculia
Start with visual puzzles: Use grids, patterns, and number shapes that help learners see relationships instead of relying only on recall.
Encourage repetition through play: Revisit the same type of puzzle regularly so learners can practise key concepts in different contexts.
Use scaffolding: Provide hints or partially completed puzzles so learners can focus on one part at a time, building confidence step by step.
Combined or Overlapping Needs
Offer choice: Allow learners to pick from two or three puzzles so they feel in control of their learning.
Make it social: Encourage group solving where learners contribute in different ways – reading, spotting patterns, or checking solutions.
Celebrate strengths: Highlight unique approaches to solving puzzles, showing that different ways of thinking are valuable.
Features That Support Inclusive Learning
Here are some of the ways our approach is tailored to helping neurodiverse learners with maths:
Simple layouts: Clean designs minimise visual distractions.
Step-by-step progressions: Challenges can be broken into smaller parts to avoid overload.
Flexible approaches: Puzzles can often be solved in more than one way, encouraging creativity.
Adaptable levels: Easy to scale for different ages and abilities.
Encourages achievement: Learners get a sense of success with every puzzle solved.
Supports collaboration: Many puzzles work well in pairs or groups, building social and communication skills.
Pattern-focused: Appeals to learners who are strong at spotting visual or logical patterns.
Usable anywhere: Ideal for classrooms, tutoring, or family learning.
Inclusive from the start: Designed so everyone can join in at their own pace.
Fun-first approach: Turns maths into something enjoyable instead of stressful.
Guidance for Teachers and Families
Helping neurodiverse learners with maths isn’t just about the resources – it’s about how they are introduced and supported. Teachers might start with quick, accessible puzzles as warm-ups, then gradually build up to more complex challenges once learners feel confident. Families might use puzzles as part of a game night or a relaxed weekend activity, showing children that maths doesn’t only belong in a schoolbook.
A key part of this approach is celebrating effort as well as achievement. By praising the methods learners use and the persistence they show, you help them build resilience and self-belief. Giving learners choice is also powerful – whether it’s choosing which puzzle to attempt or how to approach the solution, autonomy makes maths more personal and less intimidating.
