Games & Puzzles — pupil instruction review

This is the reviewed wording baseline for pupil-facing instructions. The aim is one short sentence or a compact pair of sentences that explains the actual rule needed to start the puzzle. Worked examples can carry extra teaching detail; the worksheet instruction itself should stay crisp.

Game	Reviewed pupil instruction
Maths Word Search	Find the maths words in the grid. Use the clue list to help you.
Maths Crossword	Solve the clues and write each answer into the grid.
Number Pyramid	Each brick is the sum of the two bricks directly below it. Fill the blanks.
Magic Square	Variant-specific wording is retained because Check, Repair, Transform and Missing-number versions need different instructions.
Sudoku	Fill the grid with 1–N. Use each number once in every row, column and outlined box.
Latin Square	Fill the grid with 1–N. Use each number once in every row and column.
Arithmagons	Use the + or × shown on each connection. Work out the missing numbers.
Magic Number Shapes	Variant-specific wording is retained because Missing, Check and Repair versions have different tasks.
Number Trails & Snakes	Follow the number rule along the trail. Fill the blanks.
Number Connections	Variant-specific wording is retained: Rule Wheels use the centre operation, Factor Pair Webs multiply each pair to the centre, and Sum & Product Diamonds multiply to the top and add to the bottom.
Correct-Answer Maze	Solve each question. Move through the maze using the correct answers until you reach the finish.
Number Property Maze	Move from START to FINISH only through numbers that match the rule.
Maths Crossnumber	Solve the clues and write each answer into the numbered grid.
Number Search	Solve each calculation, then find its answer in the number grid.
Arithmetic Equation Crossgrid	Fill the blanks so every horizontal and vertical equation is correct.
Target Number Challenge	Use the given numbers and allowed operations to make each target.
Broken Calculator	Use only the working calculator keys to make each target. Use normal order of operations: × and ÷ before + and −.
Operation Codebreaker	Make every equation true. Use the operator key to turn each numbered sign into a code digit, then use +/− shifts to crack the secret word.
Kakuro / Cross Sums	Fill white cells with 1–9. Each run must add to its clue, with no repeated digit in that run.
Arithmetic Cages	Fill the grid with 1–N. Use each number once in every row and column. Each cage must make its target using the operation shown.
Sumplete	Cross out numbers so the numbers left make every row target and every column target.
Symbol Decoder	Use the clues to find each symbol’s value, convert the values to letters, then reveal the secret word.
Function Machines	Follow the machine from Input to Output. If Input is missing, work backwards using inverse operations.
Balance the Equation	Balance each equation to collect its weight. Then use every collected weight once on the final scale so both pans have the same total.
Futoshiki	Fill the grid with 1–N. Use each number once in every row and column. The pointed end of each inequality sign faces the smaller number.
Nonogram / Number Picture	Shade cells to match the row and column clues. Each clue gives a block of shaded cells; separate blocks by at least one blank cell.
Number Path	Fill the missing numbers from 1 to N². Consecutive numbers must touch horizontally or vertically, not diagonally.
Number Towers / Skyscrapers	Fill the grid with 1–N, using each height once in every row and column. Each edge tab shows how many towers are visible looking in that direction.
Binary Puzzle / Takuzu	Fill every blank with 0 or 1. Each row and column must contain the same number of 0s and 1s. Never make 000 or 111. No two completed rows or columns can be identical.
Killer Sudoku / Sum Sudoku	Fill the grid with 1–N. Use each number once in every row, column and outlined box. Digits in each cage add to its target and cannot repeat.
Bridges / Hashi	Join the islands with horizontal or vertical bridges. Match each island number, use at most two bridges between a pair, do not cross bridges, and connect every island.
Maths Mines / Hidden Gems	Find the stated number of hidden gems. Each clue tells how many gems touch that square, including diagonally. Clue squares cannot contain gems.
Word Codes / Alphametics	Replace each letter with a digit so the addition is correct. The same letter keeps the same digit, different letters use different digits, and a word cannot start with 0.
Shikaku / Rectangle Division	Divide the grid into rectangles. Every rectangle must contain exactly one clue, and that clue gives its area in squares.
Corner Sum Grid	Place 1–9 exactly once. Each circle is the total of the four surrounding cells.
Linked Sum Grid	Place 1–9 exactly once. Match every four-cell circle total and every A/B/C group total.
Colour Logic	Fill the row or grid so every colour clue is true at the same time.
Mobile Balance	Every horizontal bar is balanced. Work out each shape value, treating a solved lower branch as one combined weight higher up.
Diagonal Number Path	Fill the grid with consecutive numbers. Consecutive numbers may touch by a side or a corner.
Target Square Search	Find every non-overlapping 2 × 2 square whose four numbers add to the target.
Insert the Operations	Choose operation signs between the printed numbers so the expression reaches the target. Use normal order of operations.
Perimeter Regions	Divide the grid into regions. Each region contains one clue, and that clue is its perimeter in unit grid edges.

Style rules

Start with the action: Fill, Find, Solve, Shade, Move, Use.
Avoid explaining the history or name of a puzzle in the instruction line.
State only rules the pupil needs to begin.
Prefer familiar primary-school language over puzzle-community jargon.
Keep specialist rules explicit where omission would make the puzzle unfair, for example Kakuro’s no-repeat rule, Takuzu’s three rules, Hashi connectivity or Futoshiki inequality direction.
Put hints, strategies and examples in worked examples, not in the main instruction.
Preview and PDF must use the same wording.

The shared instruction layer applies this reviewed wording after generation so individual generators cannot drift independently.