Behind The Scenes: How Our Puzzles Are Made

Behind The Scenes: How Our Puzzles Are Made

Ever wondered what really goes into creating the puzzles inside Maths for Fun? Behind the scenes, every game – from a simple Code Breaker to a sprawling Tangle Trap – is carefully designed, tested, and refined.

We’re puzzle-lovers at heart, and our process blends creativity, play, and precision to make sure each challenge is tough enough to be fun but fair enough to solve. This ‘behind the scenes maths puzzles’ page gives you all the information you need!

Read more below about: 

  • Our Creative Process
  • Designing Puzzle Types
  • Testing With Real People
  • Art & Design Choices
  • Editing & Proofing
  • Meet The Makers

Our Creative Process

The journey of every puzzle starts with a question: What would make solving this feel exciting?

Sometimes the idea comes from a sketch on scrap paper; other times it’s sparked by a conversation about a tricky equation. We begin with raw maths – an expression, a system, or a set of brackets – and then we twist it into a game.

Designing puzzles is like crafting mini stories. We layer in complexity, check that each step has a logical flow, and remove distractions that might frustrate solvers.

The goal isn’t to trick people; it’s to guide them toward that rewarding “aha!” moment when everything clicks. Seeing patterns, unravelling steps, and finally landing on the solution is what makes algebra fun. And that’s always our north star.

Creating innovative maths puzzles

Designing Puzzle Types – Spotlight on Tangle Trap

One of the most-loved puzzle types in Maths for Fun is Tangle Trap. The inspiration was simple: traditional algebra problems often feel flat and predictable. We wanted something that looked chaotic, like a knot of strings, but could be untangled with patience and logic.

Tangle Trap puzzles feature long equations filled with brackets, squared terms, and layers of expressions. At first glance, they can feel overwhelming – but the beauty is that each step slowly clears the path to the answer.

Test solvers often describe it as “messy but satisfying.” That’s exactly the point. The puzzle looks impossible, but the solver always has the tools to unravel it. It’s algebra at its most dramatic and rewarding.

Testing Maths Puzzles with Real People

No puzzle is published without being tested. Friends, family, and volunteer maths enthusiasts are our first audience, and their feedback shapes every page. Some testers speed through problems, which tells us we need to raise the difficulty. Others get stuck halfway, which highlights where clues or structures need refining.

This stage is crucial because maths is personal. Everyone approaches problems differently – some spot patterns instantly, others grind through step by step.

By testing with a mix of people, we ensure puzzles don’t cater to just one type of thinker. Our aim is universality: puzzles that challenge without excluding, and reward persistence with clarity.

Behind the scenes maths puzzles testing is essential to ensuring you have fun. 

People Testing Maths Puzzles

Art & Design Choices in Maths Puzzles

We believe that maths should look inviting. That’s why our covers and pages are designed to be playful yet clean.

On the outside, bold illustrations, energetic colours, and scribbled formulas create curiosity.

Inside, puzzles are laid out clearly, with enough space for solvers to focus without feeling crowded.

Even small design choices matter. The fonts are chosen for readability, the spacing is generous, and visual clutter is avoided.

We want learners of all ages to open the book and feel at ease, not intimidated.

The design works hand-in-hand with the puzzles themselves to make algebra approachable, friendly, and – yes – even fun.

Editing & Proofing

Accuracy is non-negotiable. A single missing bracket or flipped sign can ruin the entire puzzle, leaving solvers frustrated. 

To prevent this, every puzzle goes through a three-step checking process: first by the creator, then by a second solver, and finally by an editor who combs through for hidden mistakes.

This rigorous process ensures that each puzzle has a clear solution and that the journey to get there is logical.

Solvers should always trust that the maths works. When they reach the end of a problem, the satisfaction comes not just from getting it right, but from knowing the puzzle itself was solid.

Editing and proofing maths puzzles

Meet The Makers

The heart of Maths for Fun is a small team of puzzle-lovers, not traditional educators.

Our backgrounds range from design and storytelling to lifelong obsessions with numbers.

Several of us are neurodiverse, and that shapes how we think about puzzles. We know that standard maths education doesn’t click for everyone, so our puzzles are designed to be flexible, playful, and rewarding for different kinds of thinkers.

Fun facts about us:

  • One team member collects vintage puzzle books and has a shelf groaning under the weight of them.

  • Another once spent a holiday filling beer mats with algebra riddles (and still has the napkins to prove it).

  • Crisps, biscuits, and endless cups of tea are the fuel behind late-night puzzle creation.

  • We test every puzzle ourselves before letting anyone else see it. If we can’t solve it, it doesn’t go in.

Ultimately, Maths for Fun exists because we believe maths is a playground, not a chore.

Our puzzles are built to spark curiosity, encourage persistence, and celebrate those small but powerful wins that keep learners coming back.

We hope you have enjoyed reading more about ‘behind the scenes maths puzzles’!