1-26 Number Chain Puzzles
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This 1-26 Number Cain Puzzle challenges you to find the path through the grid that visits each of the numbers from 1 to 26 exactly once.
I thought this would be a fun logic puzzle to help celebrate the start of 2026!
Looking for more New Years Puzzles and Activities for celebrating the beginning of 2026? Here’s a few examples of the other 2026-themed New Years Resources I have created.
What is a Number Chain Puzzle?
Number Chain Puzzles are a type of logic puzzle invented by Leonid Mochalov, a Russian puzzle creator.
Each puzzle consists of a rectangular grid containing numbers from 1 to N in each cell. The goal of the puzzle is to draw a single continuous line from the upper left corner of the grid to the lower right corner. The line must include each number from 1 to N exactly once.
Below, you will find an example of a 1-10 number chain puzzle.
EXAMPLE PUZZLE:
EXAMPLE SOLUTION:
Puzzle Instructions
Draw a single continuous path from the upper left corner of the grid to the lower right corner that contains each number from 1 to 26 exactly once. The path may only travel horizontally or vertically. No diagonal moves are allowed.
Print Options
You can print these 1-26 Number Chain Puzzles in two different formats.
The version with 1 puzzle to a page is perfect for projecting on a screen or placing in a dry erase pocket.
The version with 6 puzzles to a page is ideal for solving with pencil/paper.
Files for 1-26 Number Chain Puzzles
These 1-26 Number Chain Puzzles are available as printable PDF files or editable PPT files.
1-26 Number Chain Puzzle – 1 to a Page (PDF)
0 saves – 168.92 KB Click here to SAVE the file to your device.
1-26 Number Chain Puzzle – 6 to a Page (PDF)
0 saves – 159.47 KB
Editable PowerPoint Files (in ZIP Folder)
Click here to SAVE the file to your device.1-26 Number Chain Puzzle – Editable Files (PPT in ZIP)
0 saves – 1.70 MB
Puzzle Solutions
Puzzle solutions are available on a password-protected solution page. I do not openly post the puzzle answer keys because one of my goals as a resource creator is to craft learning experiences for students that are non-google-able. I want teachers to be able to use these puzzles in their classrooms without the solutions being found easily on the Internet.
Please email me at sarah@mathequalslove.net for the password to the answer key database featuring all of my printable puzzles and math worksheets. I frequently have students emailing me for the answer key, so please specify in your email what school you teach at and what subjects you teach. If you do not provide these details, I will not be able to send you the password.
Not a teacher? Go ahead and send me an email as well. Just let me know what you are using the puzzles for. I am continually in awe of how many people are using these puzzles with scouting groups, with senior adults battling dementia, or as fun activities in their workplace. Just give me enough details so I know you are not a student looking for answers to the puzzle that was assigned as their homework!
