Puzzle: Henry Dudeney’s Pebble Game

photo of girl playing with pebbles on the beach

English mathematician and puzzle-meister Henry Ernest Dudeney once wrote:

“It may be said generally that a game is a contest of skill for two or more persons, into which we enter either for amusement or to win a prize. A puzzle is something to be done or solved by the individual.

    “The example that I give here is apparently a game, but, as in every case one player may win if he only play correctly, it is in reality a puzzle. The interest, therefore, lies in attempting to discover the leading method of play.”

    Below is the puzzle game as Dudeney explained it.

    Play it for fun at first, then see if you can solve the puzzle.

    Continue reading Puzzle: Henry Dudeney’s Pebble Game

    Holiday Countdown Craft

    photo of calendar and hourglass timer

    Marking time is hard for children (and often for us adults, as well).

    I don’t mean telling time, which has its own difficulties. But waiting, marking time until the Big Day or Important Event arrives.

    Whether you’re counting down the days to Christmas, or the hours until New Year’s Day, or waiting for a birthday or visit to Grandma — it’s never easy to sit idly during the interim.

    Continue reading Holiday Countdown Craft