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Maths for Fun

About Us

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, including:

  • Number Sense & Arithmetic (from counting to mental-math tricks)

  • Algebra & Functions (turning equations into playful challenges)

  • Geometry & Spatial Reasoning (shapes, patterns, and visual puzzles)

  • Data, Probability & Statistics (real-world puzzles in every dataset)

  • Pre-Calculus, Calculus & Beyond (advanced riddles for the mathematically brave)

Maths For Fun exists to reclaim mathematics as an adventure rather than an obligation. We’re here to prove that whether you’re solving your first equation or your hundredth integral, the thrill of discovery never gets old.

Dive in today, and let’s make every number, every formula, and every theorem a reason to smile.

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
Tangle Trap Game

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.

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.

Neurodiverse learner

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
Equation Detective Puzzle
Grid Sum Puzzle

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’!

Join Our Community

Ready to make maths more enjoyable, accessible, and fun? Join a friendly, neuro-inclusive community where you can explore puzzles, ask questions, track your progress, and learn at your own pace.

Join Now

By becoming a member, you unlock:

  • Access to all community puzzles
  • The Forum for asking and answering questions
  • Your personal dashboard with points & achievements
  • A supportive space built for every level of learner
  • New features and updates as the Hub grows

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About Maths For Fun

What is Maths For Fun?

Maths For Fun is a collection of puzzle-based maths books and resources designed to make algebra feel like a game instead of a chore. Each book is packed with creative puzzles – from Code Breakers to Tangle Traps – that help you practise algebra in an enjoyable way. Think of it as brain-training with a playful twist.

Our books and puzzles are for anyone who wants to strengthen their maths skills while having fun. They’re ideal for children who are just beginning algebra, adults who want to brush up on skills, puzzle enthusiasts who love a challenge, and even teachers or tutors looking for new classroom tools.

No! The puzzles are carefully graded by level, starting with the very basics and gradually building up. If you’re nervous about maths, the easy levels will help you build confidence step by step, while more advanced learners can skip straight to the harder challenges.

Yes. Many of our puzzle formats use clear visual layouts, logical patterns, and consistent structures – all of which are especially helpful for autistic learners and others who benefit from structured approaches. We also vary puzzle styles to allow different learning strengths to shine.

At the moment, yes – Algebra is our starting point because it’s such a common hurdle for learners. But the long-term plan is to expand into other areas of maths, such as geometry, number theory, and probability, using the same puzzle-based approach.

Worksheets often feel like chores, with repetitive drills that don’t capture attention. Puzzles, on the other hand, spark curiosity – they give you a challenge to crack, which naturally encourages problem-solving and perseverance. This approach makes practice feel more like play, while still strengthening your maths fluency.

Definitely. Parents often use our books as a fun supplement to schoolwork, or simply as screen-free brain games for evenings and weekends. Many families enjoy solving puzzles together, which helps children see maths as a shared and enjoyable activity.

Yes. Alongside the paperback books, we also provide free printable puzzles, worksheets, and extras in the Resources section of our website. This means you can try puzzles before you buy, or print additional challenges to keep the fun going.

If you’re completely new to algebra or feeling unsure, we recommend starting with Algebra Level 1. If you’re already confident with simple equations, you can move on to later books as we release them. Our levels are clearly labelled so you can work at your own pace without feeling lost.

1) The Word “Algebra” Comes From Arabic

The term algebra comes from the Arabic word al-jabr, which means “reunion of broken parts” or “restoration.” It first appeared in a book written in 820 CE by the Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi, called The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing. In it, he explained how to solve equations by moving terms from one side to the other – something we still do today when we “balance” equations.

So every time you solve for x, you’re echoing a method that was described more than 1,200 years ago!

2) Al-Khwarizmi Gave Us “Algorithms” Too

The same mathematician who gave us algebra also gave us the concept of algorithms. His name, Al-Khwarizmi, was translated into Latin as Algoritmi, and this eventually gave us the word “algorithm” – meaning a step-by-step method for solving a problem.

Today, algorithms power everything from Google searches to social media feeds and even self-driving cars. So in a way, Al-Khwarizmi’s influence stretches from ancient Baghdad all the way to the smartphones in our pockets.

3) Algebra is Older Than You Think

Although Al-Khwarizmi formalised algebra, the ideas behind it are much older. Ancient Babylonians were already solving quadratic equations around 2000 BCE – using clay tablets and wedges pressed into wet mud! Their work wasn’t written in the symbolic form we use today, but the logic was the same: using relationships between numbers to find unknown values.

Later, ancient Egyptians and Greeks used algebra-like reasoning for construction, astronomy, and trade. In fact, the Pythagoreans (famous for the Pythagoras theorem) used algebra to study number patterns in music and geometry. Algebra has been with humanity for at least 4,000 years – long before anyone called it “algebra.”

Ideas or Using Maths For Fun Workshop/Events Resources

Challenge Nights

Teaching & Learning Settings

Family & Community Events

Host a Maths Challenge Night at your school, youth group, or community hall.

Split participants into teams and set a series of Code Breaker, Grid Sum, or Variable Vault puzzles.

Add a scoring system, a timer, or prizes to bring out the competitive spirit.

Great for fundraising events, quiz nights, or STEM clubs.

Start a maths class with a quick-fire Tangle Trap or Chain Reaction puzzle to get brains warmed up.

Build whole lessons around a set of themed puzzles, encouraging problem-solving and collaboration.

Adapt puzzles for different levels of ability, making them inclusive for neurodiverse learners.

Use puzzles as extension activities, revision tools, or group challenges.

Organise a family maths day at a library, museum, or community centre using our puzzle sets as activity stations.

Run a “puzzle picnic” where families solve challenges together in a relaxed, social atmosphere.

Use the books at home for weekend puzzle time, board-game-style, where everyone works through challenges together.

Encourage friendly competition while showing that maths can be playful and rewarding.

Latest Blog/News

Check out our latest news and blog posts – new releases, tips & tricks, community news, and others!