Pyramid Solitaire Puzzle
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I ran across this Pyramid Solitaire Puzzle in The Diagram Group’s Little Giant Encyclopedia of Puzzles. The goal is to pace the 16 markers in a pyramid pattern. Then, jump the markers horizontally and vertically so that a single marker remains in the center of the board.
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.
I used bingo chips for my markers, but the original book suggests using beads, pennies, or buttons. 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!
I think this could make a fun puzzle for early finishers! It reminds me of those peg jumping puzzles that used to be on the tables at Cracker Barrel!
Digital Version of Pyramid Solitaire Puzzle
Kathy Henderson has created a Desmos Activity Builder version of the Pyramid Solitaire Puzzle.
Free Download of Pyramid Solitaire Puzzle
Click here to Download
Pyramid Solitaire (PDF)
2791 downloads – 159.18 KB
Click here to Download
Pyramid Solitaire (Editable Publisher File ZIP)
1949 downloads – 156.19 KB
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!
So fun! When I saw this, it reminded me of my old Hi-Q puzzle from my Jr high days roughly 50 years ago and I had to give it a try to see if my solution to the original puzzle would come to play here as well. Sure enough in one try my brain went into auto pilot and I was able to solve it with one “peg” left in the middle hole. I have several “peg style puzzles for my math students on math game/puzzle days. Thanks Sarah for all you do to make math education fun for others! You are a wonderful resource for teaching ideas! I still want to meet up and buy you lunch next time I visit
my friend in Oklahoma.
Awww…thanks! And, I’d love to have lunch someday if our paths ever cross!