10 Brain Teasers To Get the Gears Turning Again

Summer break is a time of relaxation, fun, and (hopefully) some sun. Unfortunately, kids also often experience summer learning loss, a phenomenon where they forget the knowledge gained from the prior year. 

Luckily, we have some fun brain teasers to kickstart your brain and prep you for school. We included visual, spatial, math, and reading-based so you can complete them no matter what your learning style is. 

Bonus: Not sure how you learn best? At Learnology, we offer a complimentary academic assessment to identify your strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. Tutoring sessions are then tailored to you! 

Solutions to the brain teasers are at the end. 

1) I am full of keys but I can’t open any door. What am I?

2) Find the pattern.

548 = 36

975 = 38

752 = 9 

406 = 24

352 = ?

3) Gain some perspective.

Picture this shape from the top view. What do you see?

(Source: Teachstarter). 

4) Try this reading challenge.

Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named “April.” The second child was named “May.” What was the third child’s name?

(Source: VanishingInc).

5) In front of you are three full glasses (left) and three empty glasses (right).

Moving only one cup, order the glasses so they alternate between full and empty. 

(Source: Teachstarter)

6) Test your math skills.

Create an accurate math equation using only: 

These numbers: 9, 2, 4, 3

These symbols: +, -, = 

All numbers and symbols must be used exactly once. 

Bonus: Can you think of two ways to do this?

7) Give your visuospatial side a go.

If you viewed this shape from the direction of the arrow, what would you see?

(Source: Ivan Digon)

8) Remember algebra?

9) Think on this classic brain teaser.

A farmer needs to take a fox, a chicken, and a sack of grain across a river. The only way across the river is by a small boat, which can only hold the farmer and one of the three items. Left unsupervised, the chicken will eat the grain, and the fox will eat the chicken. However, the fox won’t try to eat the grain, and neither the fox nor the chicken will wander off. How does the farmer get everything across the river?

(Source: Claire Nowak)

10) Last one!

(Source: SmartBrain)

If you’ve given the brain teasers your best shot (or solved them all with confidence) check out the solutions below.

1) A piano!

2) The answer is 1. Multiply the first and last digits together, then subtract the middle digit! 

Ex) 548 = 36. 

5 x 8 = 40 

40 – 4 = 36.

3) C.

When observing from the top, the bottom of the pyramid forms a square shape. There should be two green lines opposite from each other in this square. This eliminates all answers except for C!

4) Johnny! Since it’s “Johnny’s mother,” that implies he is one of the children.

5) Pick up the glass that is second from the left, and pour the content into the empty glass that is second from the right. 

6) There are three solutions.

9 – 2 = 4 + 3

9 – 3 = 4 + 2 

9 – 4 = 2 + 3 

7) Option 4. 

8) The pink square’s value is 7. 

7 + 4 = 11

9 – 7 = 2

4 x 9 = 36

9) The farmer must: 

Take the chicken across the river.

Come back with an empty boat.

Take the grain across the river.

Bring the chicken back.

Take the fox across the river.

Come back with an empty boat.

Take the chicken across the river.

10) Red or Tan. The number of letters in the colour words decrease as you go further up the rows. 

Looking to challenge your brain some more? Book a session with one of our expert tutors here or call us at 780-700-7877.