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.
Recommended Reading List - Learning Maths for Life
Mathematics isn’t a subject you finish; it’s a lifelong adventure. Whether you’re five or fifty-five, there’s always something new to discover – from playful puzzles to the philosophy behind numbers. This reading list guides learners through each stage, showing how maths grows with you and remains full of wonder at every age.
Ages 5–7: The Joy of Counting and Patterns
Introduce maths as something playful, colourful, and part of everyday life. These books use rhythm, stories, and pictures to help children see maths in the world around them.
How Many Jelly Beans? by Andrea Menotti – a bright visual introduction to large numbers.
Anno’s Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno – a wordless story that explores number concepts through seasons and scenery.
The Grapes of Math by Greg Tang – clever riddles that make counting and grouping fun.
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander – early geometry wrapped in a medieval adventure.
One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab by April Pulley Sayre – playful maths through legs and laughter.
Ages 8–11: Exploring Logic and Curiosity
This stage is all about spotting patterns, solving puzzles, and learning that maths isn’t just about answers – it’s about thinking.
The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure by Hans Magnus Enzensberger – a funny, imaginative journey through number concepts.
If the World Were a Village by David J. Smith – maths meets global awareness through percentages and data.
Math-terpieces by Greg Tang – links art and problem-solving beautifully.
You Can Count on Monsters by Richard Evan Schwartz — prime numbers and factorisation turned into quirky monster characters.
The Great Number Rumble: A Story of Math in Surprising Places by Cora Lee – encourages children to see maths everywhere.
Ages 12–15: Building Confidence and Curiosity
Now learners can handle abstract ideas – algebra, geometry, and logic puzzles – while still enjoying stories and real-world examples.
Alex’s Adventures in Numberland by Alex Bellos – a fun introduction to maths in culture and history.
The Joy of X by Steven Strogatz – shows how algebra connects to daily life and relationships.
Can You Solve My Problems? by Alex Bellos – a collection of logic and lateral-thinking puzzles.
Maths for Mums and Dads by Rob Eastaway and Mike Askew – a great parent-and-child companion for this stage.
The Manga Guide to Algebra by Shin Takahashi – makes algebra visual and relatable through storytelling.
Ages 16–18: Thinking Mathematically
This is where maths becomes powerful – the bridge between classroom topics and real-world thinking.
Fermat’s Last Theorem by Simon Singh – a captivating mystery about one of maths’ greatest problems.
How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking by Jordan Ellenberg – reveals how maths helps us navigate life and decision-making.
The Art of Problem Solving (series) by Richard Rusczyk – essential for students who want to explore deeper reasoning.
Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension by Matt Parker – funny, smart, and mind-expanding.
The Man Who Knew Infinity by Robert Kanigel – the inspiring story of Ramanujan’s genius.
Ages 19–25: Exploring the Big Ideas
These books connect maths to science, art, technology, and philosophy – perfect for students, teachers, or anyone falling back in love with numbers.
The Music of the Primes by Marcus du Sautoy – the history and mystery of prime numbers.
Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter – a masterpiece linking maths, music, and logic.
A Mathematician’s Apology by G. H. Hardy – a short, beautiful reflection on what it means to do mathematics.
The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow – probability, chance, and human behaviour explained.
In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World by Ian Stewart – the formulas that shaped science and society.
Ages 26+ and Lifelong Learners: Rediscovering the Wonder
It’s never too late to fall in love with maths again – or for the first time. These books bring back the magic with storytelling, puzzles, and philosophical reflection.
Humble Pi by Matt Parker – hilarious real-world maths fails and what they teach us.
The Math Gene by Keith Devlin – explores why humans are wired for mathematical thought.
The Language of Mathematics by Keith Devlin – understanding maths as communication.
Infinite Powers by Steven Strogatz – the story of calculus as the language of motion and change.
The Mathematics of Love by Hannah Fry – a witty look at relationships through data and equations.