She Said ‘I Hate Math’ — Then Solved 8 Puzzles in a Row

If you’ve ever taught math to a reluctant student — or tried to sell math-based printables that didn’t immediately get downloaded — you know this feeling:

“Ugh, math again? Do I have to?”

That one sigh tells you everything: you’re up against years of friction, boredom, or anxiety. Maybe all three.

But this isn’t a story about resistance. This is a story about a girl who went from “I hate math” to solving 8 logic-based puzzles in one sitting. No worksheets. No bribery. Just a puzzle format that changed how she felt about numbers.

The Problem: Math Isn’t Fun (For Most Kids)

Even with well-designed curriculum and engaging visuals, a lot of kids mentally check out the second they see:

Rows of equations
Timed drills
Pages of samey subtraction problems

The issue isn’t ability. It’s framing.

Worksheets say: This is math. You must solve.
Puzzles say: This is a game. Can you crack it?

That shift alone changes everything.

Enter: The Puzzle That Doesn’t Feel Like Math Homework

That day, instead of the usual worksheet, she was given a criss cross math puzzle:

Think crossword, but with equations
Each cell held a number, an operator, or a solution
Everything connected inside one shared grid

There were no instructions. Just a friendly challenge:

“Think you can finish it before the timer runs out?”

She didn’t groan. She grabbed a pencil.

What Happened Next

She completed the first puzzle with help.
The second, mostly on her own.
By the third, she asked for another.
She stopped at 8 puzzles because lunch was ready — not because she was tired.

The puzzles required:

Math fluency
Logical thinking
Pattern tracking

But she wasn’t doing “math work.” She was solving a puzzle. A game. Something she chose to finish.

Why It Worked (and Keeps Working)

These puzzles:

Offer instant feedback: you know when it fits or doesn’t
Show visible progress: each cell filled is a mini reward
Connect equations spatially, not linearly

So you’re not just moving left-to-right like a drill. You’re navigating a network of numbers. It’s active.

For reluctant learners, this matters. It puts control and curiosity back in their hands.

More Than Just Engagement

The shift wasn’t just emotional. It was academic:

She practiced mental math without noticing
She built stamina through repetition and variety
She started using words like “easy,” “stuck,” and “wait!” (all signs of cognitive engagement)

And she left the table smiling.

That’s what a good puzzle can do.

You Can Try This Format Too

If you create:

Classroom content
Homeschool activities
Printable math games
Learning center resources

Or if you’re a parent trying to make practice less painful…

This puzzle format deserves a spot in your toolkit.

We’ve written more about what makes criss cross math puzzles unique here:
👉 Criss Cross Math Overview

Want to test it for yourself? 👉 Try the demo version