[For Elementary School Students] Great for Brain Training! Try These Addictive Matchstick Puzzles
A handy matchstick quiz you can use to pass the time or as a fun moment in conversations with friends.
With simple materials and a bit of creativity, it’s a popular brain teaser that even elementary school kids can enjoy.
From puzzles that manipulate numbers and shapes to delightfully surprising “Aha!” challenges, it’s packed with riddles that captivate everyone.
This time, we’re introducing matchstick quizzes you can enjoy with your child.
Great for family fun or with friends! Try it as a group challenge or a solo activity—how would you like to enjoy it?
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[For Elementary School Students] Great for Brain Teasers! Try These Addictive Matchstick Puzzles (11–20)
Matchstick puzzle: Move the coin outside the square.
@sanyoukougyou Can you move the coin outside the square?TranslationTranslationIf you know the answer, head to the comments.TranslationTranslation# Difficult QuizMatchstick Quiz
♬ Riddle/Naughty Woodwind BGM(866905) – keichan
Feel the satisfaction of getting it right! Here’s a clever idea for getting a coin out of a square: There’s a coin inside a square made from four matchsticks.
Move just one matchstick to get the coin out! You might think, “That’s impossible” or “That sounds hard,” but let’s approach it with an open mind and see the solution by moving the matchstick creatively.
Try it in a group or individually—choose the approach that best fits your child’s style.
Matchstick puzzle: Without bending or breaking them, turn 7 sticks into 10.

When you’re out and about, there are times you suddenly want a quick matchstick puzzle to pass the time.
This is especially great if you have kids and want them to stay calm.
But if the puzzle is too complicated, it’s hard to even remember the question.
Here’s a recommended one: Without breaking or splitting them, how can you turn 7 matchsticks into 10? The answer is: arrange the matchsticks to form the kanji that reads as “10 sticks.” The solution is simple, so it’s easy to remember.
Matchstick puzzle: Move the specified number of sticks to make a correct equation.

One popular genre of matchstick puzzles involves moving a specified number of sticks to make an equation correct.
For example, consider this problem: there’s an incorrect equation made with matchsticks, 5−8=6.
How can you make it a correct equation by moving just one matchstick? If you think of the digits as digital-style numbers, you should be able to find the answer.
It has a bit of a mathematical element, so it’s also great as part of your child’s studies!
Matchstick puzzle: Move 3 sticks to increase the number of triangles.

The charm of matchstick puzzles is that they’re simple yet difficult, right? For those who want to tackle the simplest possible problems, I’d like to introduce a puzzle about increasing the number of triangles.
There are three triangles made from three matchsticks.
How can you move three of the matchsticks to increase the number of triangles? In fact, precisely because the problem is simple, there are many possible answers.
What answer did you come up with? It’s also fun to try it with multiple people and share your solutions with each other.
Matchstick puzzle: Move two sticks to stack the chairs.

Problems involving shapes and equations can feel very academic, so many children are resistant to them.
For such children, a fun, game-like way to get them used to matchstick puzzles is the Chair Stacking Quiz.
First, arrange matchsticks in an L shape, then place two more sticks side by side beneath it.
It will look like a chair viewed from the side.
Make two of these.
The challenge is to move two matchsticks to stack the chairs.
It’s a problem that tests creativity and mental flexibility.
If you think back to how you would stack real chairs, you’ll likely figure out the answer.
In conclusion
Through matchstick puzzles, we’ve introduced ways to nurture elementary school students’ logical thinking and creativity. Let’s set aside stiff ideas like “it makes you smarter” or “it’s educational” and simply start by having fun. With simple materials that lead to deep learning, matchstick puzzles are also perfect for brain training or passing the time. Be sure to give them a try with your family and friends.


