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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
Pyramid Solitaire (PDF) (1987 downloads )
Pyramid Solitaire (Editable Publisher File ZIP) (1267 downloads )
Puzzle Solutions
I intentionally do not make answers to the printable math puzzles I share on my blog available online because I strive to provide learning experiences for my students that are non-google-able. I would like other teachers to be able to use these puzzles in their classrooms as well without the solutions being easily found on the Internet.
However, I do recognize that us teachers are busy people and sometimes need to quickly reference an answer key to see if a student has solved a puzzle correctly or to see if they have interpreted the instructions properly.
If you are a teacher who is using these puzzles in your classroom, please send me an email at sarah@mathequalslove.net with information about what you teach and where you teach. I will be happy to forward an answer key to you.
Linda Gerhard
Friday 21st of May 2021
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.
Sarah Carter
Wednesday 26th of May 2021
Awww...thanks! And, I'd love to have lunch someday if our paths ever cross!