Cross Solitaire Puzzle
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Similar to the Pyramid Solitaire Puzzle I blogged about a few weeks ago, I found this Cross Solitaire Puzzle in The Diagram Group’s Little Giant Encyclopedia of Puzzles. The goal is to pace the 32 markers in a cross pattern with the middle square unoccupied.
Then, jump the markers horizontally and vertically so that a single marker remains in the center of the board.
I am using bingo chips for this puzzle, but you could use any type of chip/counter/coin or even dried beans. When I shared this puzzle on instagram, Try-Angle Math suggested using fruit loops or some other sort of cereal. I thought that was a super fun idea!
Each jump moves a marker over any adjacent marker into an empty space. Markers that have been jumped are removed from the board. Jumps may be horizontal or vertical, but never diagonal.
Free Download of Cross Solitaire Puzzle
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Cross Solitaire (PDF)
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Cross Solitaire (Editable Publisher File ZIP)
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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!
My students love Sarah’s puzzles. Thank you Sarah for creating and sharing all of your fantastic puzzles and resources!