ZEKASTRA

For the classroom wall

Rule cards

The rules of all 52 Play games, as they appear in each game. Pick a category, choose posters or cards, and print. Each card ends with the game's address so pupils can find it.

Logic puzzles

Sudoku

The classic 9×9 number puzzle, with four levels and a daily grid.

Rules

  1. Fill every row, column and 3×3 box with the digits 1 to 9.
  2. A digit may appear only once in each row, column and box.
  3. Switch on notes to pencil in candidates.

On screen: Select a cell, then type 1–9 or use the number pad. N toggles notes, Backspace clears.

Logic puzzles

Nonogram

Use the number clues to reveal a hidden picture.

Rules

  1. Each number is a run of filled cells in that row or column, in order.
  2. Runs are separated by at least one empty cell.
  3. Mark cells you know are empty with a cross.

On screen: Click to fill, right-click or switch to cross mode to mark empty. Arrow keys and Space work too.

Logic puzzles

Takuzu

Fill the grid with zeros and ones under three simple rules.

Rules

  1. No more than two equal digits may sit next to each other.
  2. Each row and column holds as many 0s as 1s.
  3. No two rows, and no two columns, may be identical.

On screen: Click a cell to cycle 0, 1, empty. Keyboard: arrows, 0, 1, Backspace.

Logic puzzles

Futoshiki

A Latin square where the signs between cells tell you which is larger.

Rules

  1. Place each number from 1 to N once in every row and column.
  2. Every sign between two cells must hold true.
  3. Use notes to track the candidates for each cell.

On screen: Select a cell and type a number. N toggles notes.

Logic puzzles

Calcudoku

Fill the grid so every outlined cage hits its target with its operation.

Rules

  1. Use each number from 1 to N once in every row and column.
  2. The numbers in a cage must produce its target with the given operation.
  3. Subtraction and division cages always have two cells.

On screen: Select a cell and type a number. N toggles notes.

Logic puzzles

Skyscrapers

Place towers of different heights so the edge clues see the right number.

Rules

  1. Every row and column holds each height from 1 to N once.
  2. A clue on the edge tells how many towers you can see from there.
  3. A taller tower hides every shorter tower behind it.

On screen: Select a cell and type a height. N toggles notes.

Logic puzzles

Queens

One queen in every row, column and coloured region, and none may touch.

Rules

  1. Place exactly one queen in each row, each column and each coloured region.
  2. Queens may not touch each other, not even diagonally.
  3. Mark cells that cannot hold a queen with a cross.

On screen: Click once for a cross, twice for a queen. Keyboard: arrows, Space.

Logic puzzles

Minesweeper

Clear the field using the numbers; the start is always safe.

Rules

  1. Each number shows how many mines touch that cell.
  2. Flag the cells you know hide a mine.
  3. Open every safe cell to win.

On screen: Click to open, right-click or flag mode to flag. Keyboard: arrows, Space opens, F flags.

Logic puzzles

Lights Out

Each press flips a light and its neighbours. Switch them all off.

Rules

  1. Pressing a light toggles it and the lights above, below, left and right.
  2. Turn every light off.
  3. Try to match the minimum number of presses.

On screen: Mouse, touch or keyboard (arrow keys and Enter).

Logic puzzles

Code Breaker

Crack the hidden colour code using the feedback from each guess.

Rules

  1. The computer hides a code of coloured pegs.
  2. After each guess, a full mark means right colour in the right place.
  3. An empty mark means right colour in the wrong place.

On screen: Pick colours with the mouse, touch or keys 1–8; Enter submits.

Logic puzzles

Akari

Place lamps so every white cell is lit and no two lamps see each other.

Rules

  1. A lamp lights its row and column until a wall blocks it.
  2. Light every white cell, and never let two lamps shine on each other.
  3. A number on a wall is the count of lamps next to it.

On screen: Click once for a lamp, twice for a dot. Keyboard: arrows, Space.

Logic puzzles

Bridges

Link every island with the number of bridges it asks for.

Rules

  1. Each island needs exactly as many bridges as its number.
  2. Bridges run straight, at most two between a pair of islands, and never cross.
  3. All islands must end up connected.

On screen: Drag from one island to another, or select two islands with the keyboard. Repeat to add a second bridge, again to remove.

Logic puzzles

Tents

Pitch one tent next to every tree, guided by the row and column counts.

Rules

  1. Each tree has exactly one tent beside it, horizontally or vertically.
  2. Tents never touch each other, not even diagonally.
  3. The numbers show how many tents are in each row and column.

On screen: Click once for grass, twice for a tent. Keyboard: arrows, Space.

Logic puzzles

Hitori

Shade cells until no number repeats in any row or column.

Rules

  1. Shade cells so that no number appears twice in a row or column; only repeated numbers are ever shaded.
  2. Shaded cells may not share an edge.
  3. All white cells must form one connected area.

On screen: Click once to shade, twice to mark as white. Keyboard: arrows, Space.

Logic puzzles

Number Path

Fill the grid with one continuous path of consecutive numbers.

Rules

  1. Write the numbers 1 to N so that each number touches the next one.
  2. Steps go up, down, left or right, never diagonally.
  3. The given numbers are fixed waypoints on the path.

On screen: Select a cell and type a number. Keyboard: arrows, digits, Backspace.

Spatial puzzles

Sliding Tiles

Slide the numbered tiles back into order in as few moves as you can.

Rules

  1. Slide a tile into the empty space next to it.
  2. Put the tiles in order, row by row, with the gap at the end.
  3. Plan whole rows ahead rather than single tiles.

On screen: Click or tap a tile, or use the arrow keys to move the gap.

Spatial puzzles

Tower of Hanoi

Move the whole tower to another peg, never placing a larger disc on a smaller one.

Rules

  1. Move one disc at a time from the top of a peg.
  2. A disc may only rest on a larger disc or an empty peg.
  3. Move the whole tower to the right-hand peg.

On screen: Click a peg to lift its top disc, then a peg to drop it. Keys 1, 2, 3 select pegs.

Spatial puzzles

Peg Solitaire

Jump pegs over each other until only one is left, ideally in the centre.

Rules

  1. Jump a peg over a neighbour into an empty hole; the jumped peg is removed.
  2. Jumps go in straight lines, never diagonally on the cross board.
  3. Finish with a single peg; on the cross, ending in the centre is a perfect game.

On screen: Select a peg, then the hole to jump into. Keyboard: arrows, Space.

Spatial puzzles

Colour Sort

Pour the layers between tubes until each tube holds a single colour.

Rules

  1. Pour the top layer of one tube onto another tube.
  2. You can only pour onto the same colour or into an empty tube with room.
  3. Finish when every tube is full of one colour or empty.

On screen: Select a tube, then the tube to pour into. Keys 1–9 select tubes.

Spatial puzzles

Pipe Network

Rotate the pipe pieces until water reaches every outlet.

Rules

  1. Rotate pieces to connect every pipe to the source in the middle.
  2. No pipe end may point at a wall or an empty side.
  3. Lock pieces you are sure about to avoid turning them by mistake.

On screen: Click to rotate clockwise, right-click to lock. Keyboard: arrows, Space rotates, L locks.

Spatial puzzles

Exit Route

Slide the blocks aside so the marked block can leave the board.

Rules

  1. Blocks slide only along their length, forwards or backwards.
  2. Clear a path so the highlighted block reaches the exit on the right.
  3. Compare your moves with the computed minimum.

On screen: Drag a block, or select it and use the arrow keys.

Spatial puzzles

Connect each matching pair with a line and fill the whole board.

Rules

  1. Draw a path between the two endpoints of each colour.
  2. Paths may not cross or branch.
  3. Fill every cell of the board.

On screen: Drag from an endpoint. Keyboard: select an endpoint, then use the arrow keys.

Number games

Target Number

Reach a three-digit target with six numbers and the four operations.

Rules

  1. Pick two numbers and an operation to make a new number.
  2. Each number can be used once; results must be whole and positive.
  3. Get as close to the target as you can before time runs out.

On screen: Select numbers and operations with the mouse, touch or keyboard.

Number games

2048

Slide the tiles and merge equal numbers until you build 2048.

Rules

  1. Slide all tiles in one direction; two equal tiles that meet merge into their sum.
  2. A new tile appears after every move.
  3. Reach the 2048 tile, then keep going for a higher score.

On screen: Arrow keys or WASD, or swipe on the board.

Number games

Make 24

Use four numbers once each to make exactly 24.

Rules

  1. Combine the four numbers with +, −, × and ÷.
  2. Use every number exactly once.
  3. Make exactly 24; fractions along the way are allowed.

On screen: Select two numbers and an operation. Keyboard: Tab, Enter.

Number games

Quick Maths

Solve as many sums as you can in sixty seconds.

Rules

  1. Type the answer to each question and press Enter.
  2. Correct answers make the next question a little harder.
  3. Score as many as you can before the time is up.

On screen: Type with the keyboard or use the on-screen number pad.

Number games

Equation Hunt

Find the hidden equation in six tries using colour-coded feedback.

Rules

  1. Enter a valid equation such as 12+35=47.
  2. Marks show whether each character is in the right place, elsewhere, or absent.
  3. Find the equation within six guesses.

On screen: Type with the keyboard or the on-screen keys; Enter submits.

Word games

Word Search

Find the hidden words in a grid of letters, in any direction.

Rules

  1. Every word in the list is hidden in the grid.
  2. Words run in straight lines in any of eight directions.
  3. Select the first and last letter of a word to mark it.

On screen: Drag across a word, or select its first and last letters. Keyboard: arrows and Space.

Word games

Hangman

Guess the hidden word letter by letter before the drawing is complete.

Rules

  1. Choose a letter you think is in the word.
  2. Correct letters are revealed; each wrong one adds to the drawing.
  3. Find the word before seven wrong guesses.

On screen: Type letters or use the on-screen keyboard.

Word games

Five Letters

Guess the five-letter word in six tries with letter-by-letter feedback.

Rules

  1. Guess a real five-letter word.
  2. Marks show letters in the right place, in the word but elsewhere, or not in the word.
  3. Find the word in six guesses or fewer.

On screen: Type with the keyboard or the on-screen keys; Enter submits.

Word games

Cipher Quote

Decode a well-known proverb in which every letter has been swapped for another.

Rules

  1. Each letter of the saying has been replaced by a different letter.
  2. The same code letter always stands for the same real letter.
  3. Short words and repeated letters are the best way in.

On screen: Select a code letter and type your guess. Arrow keys move between letters.

Memory and attention

Sequence Memory

Watch the pads light up, then repeat the sequence as it grows.

Rules

  1. Watch the sequence of lit pads.
  2. Repeat it in the same order.
  3. Each round adds one more step.

On screen: Click or tap the pads, or press 1–4 (1–6 with six pads).

Memory and attention

Number Grid

Find the numbers in order as fast as you can.

Rules

  1. The numbers are scattered across the grid.
  2. Select them in order, starting from 1.
  3. Keep your eyes near the centre and use your peripheral vision.

On screen: Mouse, touch or keyboard (arrow keys and Enter).

Memory and attention

Colour or Word

Name the ink colour, not the word you read.

Rules

  1. A colour name appears, printed in a colour.
  2. Choose the ink colour, ignoring what the word says.
  3. Answer quickly; wrong answers cost points.

On screen: Click or tap a colour, or press 1–4.

Memory and attention

Reaction Test

Wait for the signal, then respond as fast as you can.

Rules

  1. Wait until the panel changes.
  2. Respond the moment it does; pressing early counts as a false start.
  3. Your result is the average of five trials.

On screen: Click, tap or press Space.

Memory and attention

N-Back

Say whether the square is in the same place as N steps ago.

Rules

  1. A square appears in one of nine positions, one step at a time.
  2. Press Match when it is in the same place as N steps earlier.
  3. Stay quiet when it is not; false alarms count against you.

On screen: Press Space or the Match button.

Memory and attention

Block Memory

Watch the blocks light up and tap them back in the same order.

Rules

  1. Blocks scattered on the board light up one after another.
  2. Tap them in the same order, or in reverse in backwards mode.
  3. The sequence grows by one after every success.

On screen: Click or tap the blocks; Tab and Enter work too.

Memory and attention

Number Memory

Remember a number shown for a moment, then type it back.

Rules

  1. A number is shown briefly.
  2. Type it from memory once it disappears.
  3. Each correct answer makes the next number one digit longer.

On screen: Type with the keyboard or the on-screen number pad.

Memory and attention

Odd Shade

Spot the one square whose colour is slightly different.

Rules

  1. All tiles share one colour except one.
  2. Select the different tile; a wrong tile costs 3 seconds.
  3. Each level makes the difference smaller.

On screen: Mouse, touch or keyboard (arrow keys and Enter).

Memory and attention

Pattern Memory

Memorise which tiles light up, then recreate the pattern.

Rules

  1. Some tiles light up for a moment.
  2. Select the same tiles from memory.
  3. Three mistakes in a level cost a life; you have three lives.

On screen: Mouse, touch or keyboard (arrow keys and Enter).

Strategy

Mangala

The traditional Turkish stone-sowing game against the computer.

Rules

  1. Pick up all stones in one of your pits and sow them one by one to the right, starting in the same pit.
  2. If the last stone lands in your store, you play again. If it makes an opponent pit even, you take that pit.
  3. If it lands in an empty pit of yours, you take it and the stones opposite. When one side runs out of stones, that player also takes the stones left on the other side.

On screen: Click a pit on your side, or use the arrow keys and Enter.

Strategy

Turkish Draughts

Turkish draughts with straight moves, flying kings and compulsory captures.

Rules

  1. Men move one square forwards or sideways, never diagonally or back.
  2. Capturing is compulsory, and you must take the most pieces possible.
  3. A man reaching the far row becomes a king that moves any distance in straight lines.

On screen: Select a piece, then its destination. Keyboard: arrows and Enter.

Strategy

Four in a Row

Drop discs into the grid and line up four before the computer does.

Rules

  1. Drop a disc into a column; it falls to the lowest free space.
  2. Line up four of your discs horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
  3. Block your opponent's lines while you build your own.

On screen: Click a column, or use the arrow keys and Enter, or keys 1–7.

Strategy

Reversi

Outflank the opponent's discs to flip them to your colour.

Rules

  1. Place a disc so that it traps a line of opponent discs between two of yours.
  2. All trapped discs flip to your colour.
  3. When neither player can move (usually when the board is full), the player with more discs wins.

On screen: Click a highlighted square, or use the arrow keys and Enter.

Strategy

Five in a Row

Place stones on a large board and be first to make an unbroken line of five.

Rules

  1. Take turns placing a stone on any empty point.
  2. Make a straight line of exactly five in any direction.
  3. Watch for open threes and fours; they must be blocked at once.

On screen: Click a point, or use the arrow keys and Enter.

Strategy

Dots and Boxes

Draw lines between dots and claim every box you close.

Rules

  1. Take turns drawing one line between two neighbouring dots.
  2. Closing the fourth side of a box claims it and gives you another turn.
  3. The player with more boxes at the end wins.

On screen: Click a gap between dots, or use Tab and Enter.

Strategy

Nim

Take matches from the rows; whoever takes the last one decides the game.

Rules

  1. On your turn, take one or more matches from a single row.
  2. In normal play, taking the last match wins.
  3. In misère play, taking the last match loses.

On screen: Select matches in one row, then confirm. Keyboard: arrows, Space, Enter.

Strategy

Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe

Nine games of noughts and crosses in one, where your move sends the opponent.

Rules

  1. The square you play in decides which small board your opponent must play in next.
  2. Win a small board with three in a row.
  3. Win three small boards in a row to win the game.

On screen: Click a square in the highlighted board, or use the arrow keys and Enter.

Arcade

Snake

Steer the snake to the food and avoid running into yourself.

Rules

  1. The snake keeps moving; you choose its direction.
  2. Each piece of food makes it longer and adds points.
  3. The game ends if it hits its own tail, or a wall in walled mode.

On screen: Arrow keys or WASD, swipe, or the on-screen pad. P pauses.

Arcade

Brick Breaker

Bounce the ball off your paddle and clear every brick.

Rules

  1. Move the paddle to keep the ball in play.
  2. The angle depends on where the ball hits the paddle.
  3. Clear all bricks to reach the next level.

On screen: Mouse or touch to move, or arrow keys; Space launches, P pauses.

Arcade

Block Drop

Rotate and drop the falling blocks to clear full lines.

Rules

  1. Move and rotate each piece as it falls.
  2. Fill a complete row to clear it.
  3. The pieces fall faster at every level; the game ends when they reach the top.

On screen: Arrows move, Up or X rotates, Space drops, C holds, P pauses. Touch buttons on phones.

Arcade

Asteroid Belt

Pilot your ship through an asteroid field and break the rocks apart.

Rules

  1. Rotate and thrust to move; the ship keeps drifting in space.
  2. Large rocks split into smaller, faster ones when hit.
  3. Clear the wave to reach the next one; you have three ships.

On screen: Left and Right rotate, Up thrusts, Space fires, P pauses. Touch buttons on phones.