Free mental maths puzzles for your class
A free, printable pack of 24 Beequation honeycomb puzzles with an answer key, made for primary classrooms. Free to copy for classroom and home use.
What's in the pack
Sheet 1: sums to 20. Twelve honeycombs. In each one, a number is the sum of two others. Pupils circle it, then write the number sentence, for example 6 + 1 = 7.
Sheet 2: times tables. Twelve honeycombs using the 2 to 6 times tables, where one number is the product of two others.
Answer key with the number sentence for every puzzle, plus ideas for using the sheets in class.
Where it fits
Sheet 1 practises addition and subtraction facts within 20 (number bonds), and suits Years 1 and 2 in England (Key Stage 1), or grades 1 and 2 elsewhere. Sheet 2 practises multiplication facts and suits Years 2 to 4, building towards the times tables up to 12 × 12 that pupils in England are expected to know by the end of Year 4.
Because pupils have to test pairs and reject the ones that don't work, the puzzles also build reasoning and fluency, not just recall.
Ways to use it
Two-minute warm-up. Project one honeycomb at the start of a lesson and ask pupils to find the number and explain how they spotted it.
Timed challenge. Set a sheet, note each pupil's time, and let them try to beat it a week later.
Talk partners. One pupil finds the answer, the other checks it by writing the number sentence.
Make your own. Ask pupils to build a honeycomb for a partner, with exactly one number made from two others. Checking that no other pair works is a great extension task.
Want more?
The same puzzles are in the free browser game, which works on classroom computers and tablets with no sign-up and no data collected. Beequation Kids is coming soon to iPhone, iPad and Android, with six worlds of levels, hints from Indie the bee and no clock.
Ideas or requests for more sheets? Get in touch through our support page.