critical thinking games for high schoolers

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11 Activities That Promote Critical Thinking In The Class

52 Critical Thinking Flashcards for Problem Solving

Critical thinking activities encourage individuals to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to develop informed opinions and make reasoned decisions. Engaging in such exercises cultivates intellectual agility, fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues and honing problem-solving skills for navigating an increasingly intricate world. Through critical thinking, individuals empower themselves to challenge assumptions, uncover biases, and constructively contribute to discourse, thereby enriching both personal growth and societal progress.

Critical thinking serves as the cornerstone of effective problem-solving, enabling individuals to dissect challenges, explore diverse perspectives, and devise innovative solutions grounded in logic and evidence. For engaging problem solving activities, read our article problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is a 21st-century skill that enables a person to think rationally and logically in order to reach a plausible conclusion. A critical thinker assesses facts and figures and data objectively and determines what to believe and what not to believe. Critical thinking skills empower a person to decipher complex problems and make impartial and better decisions based on effective information.

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Critical thinking skills cultivate habits of mind such as strategic thinking, skepticism, discerning fallacy from the facts, asking good questions and probing deep into the issues to find the truth.

Importance of Acquiring Critical Thinking Skills

Acquiring critical thinking skills was never as valuable as it is today because of the prevalence of the modern knowledge economy. Today, information and technology are the driving forces behind the global economy. To keep pace with ever-changing technology and new inventions, one has to be flexible enough to embrace changes swiftly.

Read our article: How to Foster Critical Thinking Skills in Students? Creative Strategies and Real-World Examples

Today critical thinking skills are one of the most sought-after skills by the companies. In fact, critical thinking skills are paramount not only for active learning and academic achievement but also for the professional career of the students. The lack of critical thinking skills catalyzes memorization of the topics without a deeper insight, egocentrism, closed-mindedness, reduced student interest in the classroom and not being able to make timely and better decisions.

Benefits of Critical Thinking Skills in Education

Certain strategies are more eloquent than others in teaching students how to think critically. Encouraging critical thinking in the class is indispensable for the learning and growth of the students. In this way, we can raise a generation of innovators and thinkers rather than followers. Some of the benefits offered by thinking critically in the classroom are given below:

• It allows a student to decipher problems and think through the situations in a disciplined and systematic manner
• Through a critical thinking ability, a student can comprehend the logical correlation between distinct ideas
• The student is able to rethink and re-justify his beliefs and ideas based on facts and figures
• Critical thinking skills make the students curious about things around them
• A student who is a critical thinker is creative and always strives to come up with out of the box solutions to intricate problems
• Critical thinking skills assist in the enhanced student learning experience in the classroom and prepares the students for lifelong learning and success
• The critical thinking process is the foundation of new discoveries and inventions in the world of science and technology
• The ability to think critically allows the students to think intellectually and enhances their presentation skills, hence they can convey their ideas and thoughts in a logical and convincing manner
• Critical thinking skills make students a terrific communicator because they have logical reasons behind their ideas

Critical Thinking Lessons and Activities

11 Activities that Promote Critical Thinking in the Class

We have compiled a list of 11 activities that will facilitate you to promote critical thinking abilities in the students. We have also covered problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest in our another article. Click here to read it.

1. Worst Case Scenario

Divide students into teams and introduce each team with a hypothetical challenging scenario. Allocate minimum resources and time to each team and ask them to reach a viable conclusion using those resources. The scenarios can include situations like stranded on an island or stuck in a forest. Students will come up with creative solutions to come out from the imaginary problematic situation they are encountering. Besides encouraging students to think critically, this activity will enhance teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills of the students.

Read our article: 10 Innovative Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom

2. If You Build It

It is a very flexible game that allows students to think creatively. To start this activity, divide students into groups. Give each group a limited amount of resources such as pipe cleaners, blocks, and marshmallows etc. Every group is supposed to use these resources and construct a certain item such as building, tower or a bridge in a limited time. You can use a variety of materials in the classroom to challenge the students. This activity is helpful in promoting teamwork and creative skills among the students.

It is also one of the classics which can be used in the classroom to encourage critical thinking. Print pictures of objects, animals or concepts and start by telling a unique story about the printed picture. The next student is supposed to continue the story and pass the picture to the other student and so on.

4. Keeping it Real

In this activity, you can ask students to identify a real-world problem in their schools, community or city. After the problem is recognized, students should work in teams to come up with the best possible outcome of that problem.

5. Save the Egg

Make groups of three or four in the class. Ask them to drop an egg from a certain height and think of creative ideas to save the egg from breaking. Students can come up with diverse ideas to conserve the egg like a soft-landing material or any other device. Remember that this activity can get chaotic, so select the area in the school that can be cleaned easily afterward and where there are no chances of damaging the school property.

6. Start a Debate

In this activity, the teacher can act as a facilitator and spark an interesting conversation in the class on any given topic. Give a small introductory speech on an open-ended topic. The topic can be related to current affairs, technological development or a new discovery in the field of science. Encourage students to participate in the debate by expressing their views and ideas on the topic. Conclude the debate with a viable solution or fresh ideas generated during the activity through brainstorming.

7. Create and Invent

This project-based learning activity is best for teaching in the engineering class. Divide students into groups. Present a problem to the students and ask them to build a model or simulate a product using computer animations or graphics that will solve the problem. After students are done with building models, each group is supposed to explain their proposed product to the rest of the class. The primary objective of this activity is to promote creative thinking and problem-solving skills among the students.

8. Select from Alternatives

This activity can be used in computer science, engineering or any of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) classes. Introduce a variety of alternatives such as different formulas for solving the same problem, different computer codes, product designs or distinct explanations of the same topic.

Form groups in the class and ask them to select the best alternative. Each group will then explain its chosen alternative to the rest of the class with reasonable justification of its preference. During the process, the rest of the class can participate by asking questions from the group. This activity is very helpful in nurturing logical thinking and analytical skills among the students.

9. Reading and Critiquing

Present an article from a journal related to any topic that you are teaching. Ask the students to read the article critically and evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the article. Students can write about what they think about the article, any misleading statement or biases of the author and critique it by using their own judgments.

In this way, students can challenge the fallacies and rationality of judgments in the article. Hence, they can use their own thinking to come up with novel ideas pertaining to the topic.

10. Think Pair Share

In this activity, students will come up with their own questions. Make pairs or groups in the class and ask the students to discuss the questions together. The activity will be useful if the teacher gives students a topic on which the question should be based.

For example, if the teacher is teaching biology, the questions of the students can be based on reverse osmosis, human heart, respiratory system and so on. This activity drives student engagement and supports higher-order thinking skills among students.

11. Big Paper – Silent Conversation

Silence is a great way to slow down thinking and promote deep reflection on any subject. Present a driving question to the students and divide them into groups. The students will discuss the question with their teammates and brainstorm their ideas on a big paper. After reflection and discussion, students can write their findings in silence. This is a great learning activity for students who are introverts and love to ruminate silently rather than thinking aloud.

Read our next article: 10 Innovative Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom

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Cognitive Activities For High School: Discussions, Research, Investigations, Challenges, And Presentation

April 18, 2024 //  by  Lauren Du Plessis

Stimulate critical thinking with a variety of cognitive activities that have been specifically designed for high school students. These activities are designed to enhance problem-solving and creative thinking skills, all while making learning enjoyable. Let’s dive right in and discover 22 creative cognitive activities that will engage and challenge your high school students!

1. Socratic Seminars

Encourage deep thinking and discussion by conducting Socratic seminars where you engage your students in thoughtful dialogue on a given topic; getting them to share their perspectives and support their arguments with evidence.

Learn More: We Are Teachers

2. Case Studies

Why not get your learners to analyze real-life scenarios or case studies so they apply their knowledge to solve complex problems, foster critical thinking, and develop strong decision-making skills.

Learn More: CRPE

3. Debate Club

Organize a debate club where students will have opportunities to research and debate various topics; allowing them to develop persuasive arguments, analyze different perspectives, and enhance their communication skills.

Learn More: Love to Know

4. Scientific Investigations

Take a deep dive into the world of scientific discovery with a host of investigations! Engage your students in scientific investigations that require hypothesis formulation, data collection, analysis, and drawing evidence-based conclusions. In doing so, you’ll be promoting critical thinking as well as scientific reasoning!

Learn More: Science Buddies

5. Design Thinking Challenges

Did someone say STEM challenges? Challenge your students to engage in design thinking challenges that require them to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and prototype innovative ideas; fostering creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Learn More: STEM Activities for Kids

6. Current Events Analysis

Assign students to analyze and critically evaluate current events articles, encouraging them to examine multiple sources, consider different viewpoints, and form informed opinions.

Learn More: The Learning Network

7. Mind Mapping

Introduce mind mapping as a visual tool for organizing and connecting ideas, allowing students to enhance their critical thinking, note-taking, and information synthesis skills. This skill is sure to prove helpful when it comes to learning new content and revising like a pro!

Learn More: Ayoa

8. Logic Puzzles

Provide logic puzzles such as Sudoku, crosswords, or jigsaw puzzles that challenge students’ deductive reasoning and problem-solving abilities, encouraging them to think analytically and develop strategies to arrive at solutions.

Learn More: Fun With Puzzles

9. Data Interpretation

Engage students in activities that involve interpreting and analyzing data sets, graphs, and charts, helping them develop essential skills in data analysis and drawing conclusions.

Learn More: Question Pro

10. Research Projects

Assign research projects that require students to conduct independent investigations, analyze data, and present their findings, to the class fostering critical thinking, information literacy, and research skills.

Learn More: College Essay Guy

11. Ethical Dilemma Discussions

Present ethical dilemmas for students to discuss and debate, encouraging them to consider different perspectives, make informed judgments, and articulate their reasoning. Furthermore, by engaging in this activity, learners will be prompted to consider their very own moral compass and hopefully be more inclined to act in an ethical manner.

Learn More: Prezi

12. Creative Writing Prompts

Here’s a cognitive activity that’s perfect for integration into your next English class!  Provide creative writing prompts that challenge students to think imaginatively, develop complex storylines, and craft compelling narratives, promoting creative thinking and storytelling skills.

Learn More: Elite Writings

13. Problem-Based Learning

Implement problem-based learning activities that present authentic, open-ended problems for students to solve collaboratively, allowing them to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

Learn More: Forbes

14. Virtual Simulations

This activity is perfect for learners who are more technologically inclined and enjoy working online. Utilize virtual simulations or educational games that immerse students in simulated real-world scenarios, enabling them to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a virtual environment.

Learn More: Labster

15. Philosophy Discussions

Engage your students in philosophical discussions by exploring thought-provoking questions, encouraging them to analyze and evaluate different philosophical perspectives.

Learn More: Teaching Times

16. Literature Analysis

Assign literature analysis tasks that require students to critically analyze and interpret literary works, examining themes, symbolism, character development, and authorial intent.

Learn More: Edutopia

17. Coding Challenges

Calling all coding boffins! Introduce coding challenges that require students to think logically, problem-solve, and debug code, fostering computational thinking and algorithmic reasoning skills.

Learn More: Create & Learn

18. Historical Simulations

Engage students in historical simulations that recreate historical events or periods, allowing them to analyze multiple perspectives and understand the complexity of historical contexts.

Learn More: History Simulation

19. Media Literacy Analysis

Guide students in critically analyzing media content; helping them understand biases, evaluate sources, and develop critical media literacy skills. They can explore media texts such as advertisements, news articles, or films.

Learn More: Study.com

20. Problem-Solving through Robotics

Integrate robotics activities into Engineering spheres and have your learners design and program robots to solve specific challenges; promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and computational skills.

Learn More: The Edvocate

21. Philosophical Debates

Philosophy is one of the time-honored subjects in the debating realm! So, why not organize philosophical debates where students engage in thought-provoking discussions on philosophical concepts and ethical dilemmas?

Learn More: Owlcation

22. Collaborative Research Presentations

Assign group research projects where students collaborate to research, analyze data, and create presentations, developing their critical thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills.

Learn More: Granite State College

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Developing critical thinking abilities is a necessary skill for all high school students but teaching these skills is not the easiest task for high school teachers. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information online to provide teachers the resources needed for creating critical thinking lesson plans.

These online resources provide lessons plans, videos, and small but helpful tips that can be used everyday in the classroom to reinforce lessons and ideas. Below are some of the top resources for teaching critical thinking to high school students.

A site devoted to all things related to critical thinking

The Critical Thinking Community, from the Center for Critical Thinking, provides one of the best sites for critical thinking resources and has a special section aimed at helping high school teachers prepare appropriate lesson plans: Critical Thinking Community for High School Teachers .

“Critical thinking is essential if we are to get to the root of our problems and develop reasonable solutions,” reads the site’s About Us page. “After all, the quality of everything we do is determined by the quality of our thinking.”

Therefore it’s no surprise that the site provides many free online resources for high school teachers, as well as other materials that can be ordered online for a small fee.

One example of an online resource for critical thinking for high school students is the article “How to Study and Learn (Part One)”. This introductory article lays the ground work for the importance of thinking critically, illustrated by the following passage:

“To study well and learn any subject is to learn how to think with discipline within that subject. It is to learn to think within its logic, to:

• raise vital questions and problems within it, formulating them clearly and precisely
• gather and assess information, using ideas to interpret that information insightfully
• come to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards
• adopt the point of view of the discipline, recognizing and assessing, as needs be, its assumptions, implications, and practical consequences
• communicate effectively with others using the language of the discipline and that of educated public discourse
• relate what one is learning in the subject to other subjects and to what is significant in human life”

State critical thinking resources

Additionally, many states offer free online critical thinking resources, such as the handbook compiled by faculty members of Prince George’s Community College and put on Maryland’s official website: Handbook of Critical Thinking Resources .

In addition to providing a wealth of outside information resources, the handbook details how thinking critically can help students while they are in high school and in the future:

“Improving students’ critical thinking skills will help students:

• improve their thinking about their course work
• use sound thinking on tests, assignments, and projects in their courses
• have the strategic, analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills they need when they transfer to another college
• have the strategic, analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills they need when they transition to the workplace”

Keeping up to date on current trends

Other sites, such as Edutopia.org, are constantly updated with new information to provide teachers with the most current information possible. The site, which is part of the George Lucas Educational Foundation, is divided by grade level and has a special section focused on producing critical thinking high school students: Grades 9-12 High School .

The site describes three fundamental skills it believes necessary for students to become lifelong learners in the 21 st Century:

• how to find information
• how to assess the quality of information
• how to creatively and effectively use information to accomplish a goal

The site combines original articles and instructional videos with other valuable critical thinking resources from around the globe. The site is set up like a blog and puts the most recent articles at the forefront, and also includes a community forum for both students and teachers to use.

You may also like to read

• Critical Thinking Resources for Middle School Teachers
• Online Resources for High School Calculus
• How Teachers Can Help Prevent High School Dropouts
• Classroom Management Strategies for High School Teachers
• Teachers: How to Strengthen High School Student Engagement
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Tagged as: Engaging Activities ,  High School (Grades: 9-12)

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Helping Students Hone Their Critical Thinking Skills

Used consistently, these strategies can help middle and high school teachers guide students to improve much-needed skills.

Critical thinking skills are important in every discipline, at and beyond school. From managing money to choosing which candidates to vote for in elections to making difficult career choices, students need to be prepared to take in, synthesize, and act on new information in a world that is constantly changing.

While critical thinking might seem like an abstract idea that is tough to directly instruct, there are many engaging ways to help students strengthen these skills through active learning.

Make Time for Metacognitive Reflection

Create space for students to both reflect on their ideas and discuss the power of doing so. Show students how they can push back on their own thinking to analyze and question their assumptions. Students might ask themselves, “Why is this the best answer? What information supports my answer? What might someone with a counterargument say?”

Through this reflection, students and teachers (who can model reflecting on their own thinking) gain deeper understandings of their ideas and do a better job articulating their beliefs. In a world that is go-go-go, it is important to help students understand that it is OK to take a breath and think about their ideas before putting them out into the world. And taking time for reflection helps us more thoughtfully consider others’ ideas, too.

Teach Reasoning Skills 

Reasoning skills are another key component of critical thinking, involving the abilities to think logically, evaluate evidence, identify assumptions, and analyze arguments. Students who learn how to use reasoning skills will be better equipped to make informed decisions, form and defend opinions, and solve problems. 

One way to teach reasoning is to use problem-solving activities that require students to apply their skills to practical contexts. For example, give students a real problem to solve, and ask them to use reasoning skills to develop a solution. They can then present their solution and defend their reasoning to the class and engage in discussion about whether and how their thinking changed when listening to peers’ perspectives. 

A great example I have seen involved students identifying an underutilized part of their school and creating a presentation about one way to redesign it. This project allowed students to feel a sense of connection to the problem and come up with creative solutions that could help others at school. For more examples, you might visit PBS’s Design Squad , a resource that brings to life real-world problem-solving.

Ask Open-Ended Questions 

Moving beyond the repetition of facts, critical thinking requires students to take positions and explain their beliefs through research, evidence, and explanations of credibility. 

When we pose open-ended questions, we create space for classroom discourse inclusive of diverse, perhaps opposing, ideas—grounds for rich exchanges that support deep thinking and analysis. 

For example, “How would you approach the problem?” and “Where might you look to find resources to address this issue?” are two open-ended questions that position students to think less about the “right” answer and more about the variety of solutions that might already exist. 

Journaling, whether digitally or physically in a notebook, is another great way to have students answer these open-ended prompts—giving them time to think and organize their thoughts before contributing to a conversation, which can ensure that more voices are heard. 

Once students process in their journal, small group or whole class conversations help bring their ideas to life. Discovering similarities between answers helps reveal to students that they are not alone, which can encourage future participation in constructive civil discourse.

Teach Information Literacy 

Education has moved far past the idea of “Be careful of what is on Wikipedia, because it might not be true.” With AI innovations making their way into classrooms, teachers know that informed readers must question everything. 

Understanding what is and is not a reliable source and knowing how to vet information are important skills for students to build and utilize when making informed decisions. You might start by introducing the idea of bias: Articles, ads, memes, videos, and every other form of media can push an agenda that students may not see on the surface. Discuss credibility, subjectivity, and objectivity, and look at examples and nonexamples of trusted information to prepare students to be well-informed members of a democracy.

One of my favorite lessons is about the Pacific Northwest tree octopus . This project asks students to explore what appears to be a very real website that provides information on this supposedly endangered animal. It is a wonderful, albeit over-the-top, example of how something might look official even when untrue, revealing that we need critical thinking to break down “facts” and determine the validity of the information we consume. 

A fun extension is to have students come up with their own website or newsletter about something going on in school that is untrue. Perhaps a change in dress code that requires everyone to wear their clothes inside out or a change to the lunch menu that will require students to eat brussels sprouts every day. 

Giving students the ability to create their own falsified information can help them better identify it in other contexts. Understanding that information can be “too good to be true” can help them identify future falsehoods. 

Provide Diverse Perspectives 

Consider how to keep the classroom from becoming an echo chamber. If students come from the same community, they may have similar perspectives. And those who have differing perspectives may not feel comfortable sharing them in the face of an opposing majority. 

To support varying viewpoints, bring diverse voices into the classroom as much as possible, especially when discussing current events. Use primary sources: videos from YouTube, essays and articles written by people who experienced current events firsthand, documentaries that dive deeply into topics that require some nuance, and any other resources that provide a varied look at topics. 

I like to use the Smithsonian “OurStory” page , which shares a wide variety of stories from people in the United States. The page on Japanese American internment camps is very powerful because of its first-person perspectives. 

Practice Makes Perfect 

To make the above strategies and thinking routines a consistent part of your classroom, spread them out—and build upon them—over the course of the school year. You might challenge students with information and/or examples that require them to use their critical thinking skills; work these skills explicitly into lessons, projects, rubrics, and self-assessments; or have students practice identifying misinformation or unsupported arguments.

Critical thinking is not learned in isolation. It needs to be explored in English language arts, social studies, science, physical education, math. Every discipline requires students to take a careful look at something and find the best solution. Often, these skills are taken for granted, viewed as a by-product of a good education, but true critical thinking doesn’t just happen. It requires consistency and commitment.

In a moment when information and misinformation abound, and students must parse reams of information, it is imperative that we support and model critical thinking in the classroom to support the development of well-informed citizens.

Critical Thinking Exercises

• Writing Research Papers
• Writing Essays
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
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Critical thinking is a skill that students develop gradually as they progress in school. While the skill becomes more important in higher grades, some students find it difficult to understand the concept of critical thinking .

The reason critical thinking can be difficult to grasp is because it requires students to set aside assumptions and beliefs to learn to think without bias or judgment.

Critical thinking involves suspending your beliefs to explore and question topics from a "blank page" point of view. It also involves the ability to distinguish fact from opinion when exploring a topic.

These exercises are designed to help develop critical thinking skills.

Critical Thinking Exercise 1: Tour Guide for an Alien

This exercise provides an opportunity to think outside your normal way of thinking.

Pretend that you have been assigned the task of conducting a tour for aliens who are visiting the earth and observing human life. You're riding along in a blimp, viewing the landscape below, and you float over a professional baseball stadium. One of the aliens looks down and is very confused by what he sees. You explain that there is a game going on and he asks several important questions.

• What is a game? 
• Why are there no female players?
• Why do people get so excited about watching other people play games?
• What is a team?
• Why can't the people in the seats go down on the field and join in?

If you try to answer these questions fully, it will quickly become apparent that we carry around certain assumptions and values. We support a certain team, for instance, because it makes us feel like we're a part of a community. This sense of community is a value that matters to some people more than others.

Furthermore, when trying to explain team sports to an alien, you have to explain the value we place on winning and losing.

When you think like an alien tour guide, you are forced to take a deeper look at the things we do and things we value. Sometimes they don't sound logical from the outside looking in.

Critical Thinking Exercise 2: Fact or Opinion

Do you think you know the difference between fact and opinion? It's not always easy to discern. When you visit websites, do you believe everything you read? The abundance of available information makes it more important than ever for students to develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, it's an important reminder that you must use trustworthy sources in your school work.

If you don't learn the difference between fact and opinion, you may end up reading and watching things that continue to reinforce beliefs and assumptions you already own.

For this exercise, read each statement and try to determine whether it sounds like a fact or an opinion. This can be completed alone or with a study partner .

• My mom is the best mom on earth.
• My dad is taller than your dad.
• My telephone number is difficult to memorize.
• The deepest part of the ocean is 35,813 feet deep.
• Dogs make better pets than turtles.
• Smoking is bad for your health.
• Eighty-five percent of all cases of lung cancer in the U.S. are caused by smoking.
• If you flatten and stretch out a Slinky toy it will be 87 feet long.
• Slinky toys are fun.
• One out of every one hundred American citizens is color blind.
• Two out of ten American citizens are boring.

You will probably find some of the statements easy to judge but other statements difficult. If you can effectively debate the truthfulness of a statement with your partner, then it's most likely an opinion.

• Introduction to Critical Thinking
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• Critical Thinking in Reading and Composition
• Critical Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples
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• What Does It Mean to Make a Claim During an Argument?
• 10 Ways to Make Learning Fun for Students
• How to Practice Critical Thinking in 4 Steps
• Time Management Exercise
• Common Application Essay Option 3 Tips: Challenging a Belief
• Unreliable Sources for Your Research Project
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• How to Understand Newspaper Headlines
• The Horse Problem: A Math Challenge
• Cartoon Strips to Teach "I Statements"

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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5 Critical Thinking Activities That Get Students Up and Moving

More movement means better learning.

It’s easy to resort to having kids be seated during most of the school day. But learning can (and should) be an active process. Incorporating movement into your instruction has incredible benefits—from deepening student understanding to improving concentration to enhancing performance. Check out these critical thinking activities, adapted from Critical Thinking in the Classroom , a book with over 100 practical tools and strategies for teaching critical thinking in K-12 classrooms.

Four Corners

In this activity, students move to a corner of the classroom based on their responses to a question with four answer choices. Once they’ve moved, they can break into smaller groups to explain their choices. Call on students to share to the entire group. If students are persuaded to a different answer, they can switch corners and further discuss. 

Question ideas:

• Which president was most influential: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, or Abraham Lincoln?
• Is Holden Caulfield a hero: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree?

Gallery Walk

This strategy encourages students to move around the classroom in groups to respond to questions, documents, images, or situations posted on chart paper. Each group gets a different colored marker to record their responses and a set amount of time at each station. When groups move, they can add their own ideas and/or respond to what prior groups have written.

Gallery ideas:

• Political cartoons

Stations are a great way to chunk instruction and present information to the class without a “sit and get.” Group desks around the room or create centers, each with a different concept and task. There should be enough stations for three to five students to work for a set time before rotating.

Station ideas:

• Types of rocks
• Story elements
• Literary genres

Silent Sticky-Note Storm

In this brainstorming activity, students gather in groups of three to five. Each group has a piece of chart paper with a question at the top and a stack of sticky notes. Working in silence, students record as many ideas or answers as possible, one answer per sticky note. When time is up, they post the sticky notes on the paper and then silently categorize them.

• How can you exercise your First Amendment rights?
• What are all the ways you can divide a square into eighths?

Mingle, Pair, Share

Take your Think, Pair, Share to the next level. Instead of having students turn and talk, invite them to stand and interact. Play music while they’re moving around the classroom. When the music stops, each student finds a partner. Pose a question and invite students to silently think about their answer. Then, partners take turns sharing their thoughts.

• How do organisms modify their environments?
• What is the theme of Romeo and Juliet ?

Looking for more critical thinking activities and ideas?

Critical Thinking in the Classroom is a practitioner’s guide that shares the why and the how for building critical thinking skills in K-12 classrooms. It includes over 100 practical tools and strategies that you can try in your classroom tomorrow!

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47 Critical Thinking Questions for High School Students

Critical thinking is defined as analyzing and thinking objectively about an issue to form a judgment. Critical thinking skills are important for high school students because they encourage decision-making based on logic and reason, which will serve them well in adulthood. 

In fact, it has been proven that having critical thinking skills leads to success in interpersonal, financial, and business endeavors and serves to protect against negative outcomes. 

Critical thinking questions are those that encourage the development of the following skills:

• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Open-mindedness

Let’s review some of the best questions that encourage critical thinking in high school students .

If you could make your own country, what would it look like? What rules would your citizens follow?

If you could go back in time two years and give your younger self advice, what advice would you give?

If you found out you only had 24 hours left to live, what would you decide to do with your last day on earth?

If you were offered the opportunity to get on a spaceship bound for a distant planet, and you would be one of the first colonizers, would you do it?

If a train was heading down a track without brakes and you had the switch that would turn it to either one of two tracks, and there was a baby on one track and an old woman on the other, who would you choose to let live? Why?

If everyone in the world stopped using social media, would it be a good thing or a bad thing? Defend your answer.

If your best friend was doing something dangerous that could kill them or put them in jail, would you tell someone even if it meant never speaking to them again?

Should the voting age be lowered to 16? Why or why not?

Should euthanasia be legal? Why or why not?

Question 10

Is it better to take one life in order to save 5 lives? What about 10? 20?

Question 11

If you had the power to solve one major problem on earth, what problem would you solve?

Question 12

If you could transport yourself instantly anywhere in the world, what place would you choose?

Question 13

If you were stranded on a desert island, what item would you choose to bring with you, provided you would have an endless supply of food and water?

Question 14

Should the drinking age be lowered to 18? Why or why not?

Question 15

If you could spend one day with any person on earth, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Question 16

Is it more important to have a strong military or universal healthcare? Why or why not?

Question 17

What defines adulthood? When does adulthood begin?

Question 18

Which is more important – solving climate change or solving world hunger?

Question 19

Would you rather be blind or deaf? Why?

Question 20

How would you describe a tree without using the words green, branches, or leaves?

Question 21

If you could describe the color red to a blind person, how would you describe it? What about the color blue?

Question 22

If you had the ability to transform into any animal at any time you wanted, what animal would you choose and why?

Question 23

If you could live in any historical time period, which time period would you choose and why?

Question 24

Would you rather die by falling off a skyscraper or being buried in a landslide? Why?

Question 25

How does someone become a good person? Can a bad person change into a good person? How?

Question 26

Would you rather to never have to eat or never have to sleep? Why?

Question 27

Is it better to have 1 million dollars in the bank or donate 10 million dollars to charity? Why or why not?

Question 28

How would you describe an airplane to someone who had never seen or heard of one?

Question 29

Is it better to be ignored or gossiped about? Why?

Question 30

What makes humans more important than animals?

Question 31

Is murder every justifiable? Why or why not?

Question 32

Is the death penalty immoral? Why or not?

Question 33

What characteristics make a good leader?

Question 34

If ignorance ever an excuse for breaking the law? Why or why not?

Question 35

What is more important in life: love, health, or money?

Question 36

Is it better to be feared or loved? Why?

Question 37

If you had the chance to travel through time and change one historical event, what event would you change and why? How would you change it?

Question 38

If you suddenly had a life expectancy of 500 years, would you change the way you live your life? What about if your life expectancy dropped 10 years?

Question 39

Think about the birth order with you and your siblings, if you have any. Would you rather change your birth order or remain where you are?

Question 40

If you had five minutes to defend the human race against an alien civilization who were going to destroy humanity, what would you say?

Question 41

Would you want to live forever? Why or why not?

Question 42

Is it the responsibility of wealthy countries to help impoverished countries? Why or why not?

Question 43

If you could change one rule in your family, what rule would it be and why?

Question 44

Do someone’s actions impact their value as a person, such as serial killers?

Question 45

How do you define evil?

Question 46

Is it the government’s job to ban harmful substances like drugs or alcohol, or is it the citizens’ responsibility to look after their own health?

Question 47

Should people be required to take a test before having a baby? Why or why not?

https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/why-is-critical-thinking-important/

https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/how-to-develop-critical-thinking-skills/0/steps/335512#:~:text=We%20develop%20specific%20techniques%20that,%2C%20independently%2C%20and%20effectively.%E2%80%9D

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22 Cognitive Activities For High Schoolers

• High School

Introduction:

Cognitive activities are essential for high school students to develop their mental capabilities and enhance their overall learning experience. These activities help students improve their memory, decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. In this article, we present 22 cognitive activities that high school teachers can integrate into their lesson plans and activities to boost their students’ cognitive development.

1. Sudoku puzzles: Sudoku is a great way for students to improve their logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

2. Chess: Playing chess helps students improve their strategic thinking, planning, and concentration.

3. Memory games: Memory games like matching cards or sequences help enhance short-term memory and attention skills.

4. Crossword puzzles: Crossword puzzles help improve vocabulary, spelling, and critical thinking skills.

5. Debate club: Encouraging students to participate in debates helps develop their reasoning, persuasion, and public speaking skills.

6. Brain teasers: Riddles and brain teasers encourage critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

7. Essay writing contests: Writing essays on a variety of topics helps students practice organizing thoughts, structuring arguments, and using language effectively.

8. Group discussions: Engaging in group discussions encourages active listening, collaboration, decision-making, and communication skills.

9. Logic puzzles: Students can sharpen their reasoning skills with logic puzzles like grid-type problems or nonograms.

10. Math problems: Challenge students with math problems that require them to apply various concepts they have learned in creative ways.

11. Creative writing exercises: Inspire creativity in storytelling by having students create short stories or poetry based on prompts or themes.

12. Reading circles: Reading literature aloud in groups promotes reading comprehension and encourages thoughtful analysis of the material.

13. Science experiments: Hands-on science activities can teach high schoolers problem-solving, observation, and hypothesis-testing skills.

14. Historical analysis projects: Assign research projects where students analyze historical events and develop their own theories based on evidence.

15. Visual puzzles: Optical illusions and other visual puzzles help students improve spatial reasoning skills.

16. Mapping exercises: Mapping exercises in geography lessons can aid in developing spatial awareness, planning, and mental visualization skills.

17. Coding and programming: Introducing computer programming concepts encourages logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving abilities.

18. Portfolio building: Have students create a portfolio that showcases their progress and achievements over time to help them reflect on their learning journey.

19. Goal setting: Encourage students to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to develop goal-setting skills.

20. Meditation and mindfulness activities: Teach techniques like meditation to promote focus, self-awareness, and stress management.

21. Foreign language classes: Learning a new language improves memory, listening skills, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving abilities.

22. Current events discussions: Reviewing current events helps stimulate critical thinking while generating a sense of global awareness.

Conclusion:

By incorporating these cognitive activities into the learning experience, high school students can become better equipped for academic success and personal growth. These skills will continue to serve them well beyond the classroom as they navigate life’s challenges and successes.

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Engaging Problem Solving Activities For High School Students

In today’s world, strong problem solving skills are more important than ever before. Employers highly value candidates who can think critically and creatively to overcome challenges. If you’re looking for ways to sharpen your high school student’s problem solving abilities, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s a quick overview of the top problem solving activities we’ll cover in this guide: group challenges like escape rooms, individual logic puzzles and riddles, project-based learning through coding and engineering tasks, and conversational problem solving through Socratic seminars.

Group Challenges and Escape Rooms

Engaging high school students in problem-solving activities is crucial for their cognitive development and critical thinking skills. One popular and effective approach is through group challenges and escape rooms.

These activities not only promote teamwork and collaboration but also provide an exciting and immersive learning experience.

What Are Escape Rooms and Why Are They Effective?

Escape rooms are physical adventure games where participants are “locked” in a room and must solve puzzles and find clues to escape within a set time limit. These rooms are designed to challenge participants’ problem-solving abilities, logical thinking, and decision-making skills.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by NoWayOut Premium Escape Rooms (@nowayout_dubai)

The immersive nature of escape rooms creates an exciting and high-stakes environment that motivates students to think creatively and work together as a team.

Research has shown that escape rooms are highly effective in improving students’ problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

According to a study from BMC Medical Education , escape rooms improve student engagement and learning. This activity can increase motivation and enhance teamwork skills.

The challenging and interactive nature of escape rooms makes them a valuable tool for engaging high school students in problem-solving activities.

Tips for Creating Your Own Escape Room

If you want to create your own escape room for high school students, here are some tips to make it a memorable and effective experience:

• Theme and Storyline: Choose an engaging theme or storyline that will capture the students’ interest and make the experience more immersive.
• Puzzles and Challenges: Design a variety of puzzles and challenges that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork to solve.
• Time Limit: Set a reasonable time limit to create a sense of urgency and keep the students engaged throughout the activity.
• Feedback and Reflection: Provide feedback and encourage students to reflect on their problem-solving strategies and teamwork skills after completing the escape room.

Other Group Challenges and Problem Solving Activities

In addition to escape rooms, there are various other group challenges and problem-solving activities that can be implemented in high school settings . These activities can range from outdoor team-building exercises to classroom-based problem-solving tasks.

Outdoor activities such as scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, and ropes courses can foster teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Classroom-based activities like brainstorming sessions, case studies, and simulation games can also provide opportunities for students to think critically and solve complex problems.

It is important for educators to select activities that align with the learning objectives and interests of their students. By incorporating these engaging group challenges and problem-solving activities into high school curricula, educators can empower their students to develop essential skills that will benefit them in their academic and professional lives.

Individual Logic Puzzles and Riddles

Benefits of logic puzzles.

Logic puzzles are a great way to engage high school students in problem-solving activities. These puzzles require students to think critically, analyze information, and use deductive reasoning to find solutions.

They help develop cognitive skills such as logical thinking, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. By solving these puzzles individually, students also learn to work independently and trust their own reasoning abilities.

According to Psychology Today , logic puzzles can improve memory, enhance problem-solving skills, and boost overall brain health. They provide mental stimulation and challenge students to think outside the box.

Moreover, logic puzzles are a fun and engaging way to learn, making the learning process enjoyable and captivating for high school students.

Examples of Engaging Logic Puzzles

There are various types of logic puzzles and riddles that high school students can enjoy. Here are a few examples:

• Grid-based puzzles: These puzzles require students to fill in a grid by using clues to determine the correct arrangement of elements. Sudoku is a popular example of a grid-based logic puzzle.
• Number series puzzles: In these puzzles, students need to find the missing number or the pattern in a given series of numbers. This helps develop numerical reasoning and pattern recognition skills.
• Mystery riddles: These riddles present a scenario or a problem that students need to solve by using logic and deduction. They often involve a crime or a mysterious situation that requires careful analysis to find the solution.

These examples are just a starting point, and there are countless logic puzzles and riddles available online or in puzzle books that can keep high school students engaged and challenged.

Tips for Using Riddles and Brain Teasers

When using riddles and brain teasers as problem-solving activities, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:

• Start with easier puzzles: Begin with puzzles that are relatively easy to solve, and gradually increase the difficulty level. This allows students to build confidence and develop their problem-solving skills.
• Encourage collaboration: While individual puzzles are beneficial, group activities can foster teamwork and collaboration. Consider incorporating group discussions or competitions to promote collaboration and peer learning.
• Provide hints and guidance: If students get stuck, offer hints or guidance to help them move forward. This prevents frustration and keeps the learning process enjoyable.
• Reflect on the solution: After solving a puzzle, encourage students to reflect on the problem-solving process. Discuss the strategies they used, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned. This promotes metacognition and helps students improve their problem-solving skills.

By incorporating individual logic puzzles and riddles into problem-solving activities, high school students can have a great time while developing essential cognitive skills and enhancing their ability to think critically and analytically.

Project-Based Learning Through STEM

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an effective teaching method that encourages students to actively engage in real-world problem-solving . When combined with the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), it creates a powerful learning experience for high school students.

PBL through STEM not only helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, but also fosters creativity, collaboration, and communication abilities.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by SOAR STEM Schools (@soarstemschools)

Coding Challenges

Coding challenges are an excellent way to introduce high school students to the world of computer programming. These challenges allow students to apply their logical thinking and problem-solving skills to create programs or solve coding problems.

Online platforms like Codecademy provide a wide range of coding challenges and tutorials for students to enhance their coding abilities. These challenges can be related to creating games, building websites, or developing mobile applications.

By engaging in coding challenges, students not only learn coding languages but also gain an understanding of the importance of computational thinking in today’s technology-driven world.

Engineering and Design Thinking Projects

Engineering and design thinking projects involve hands-on activities that allow high school students to apply their knowledge of engineering principles and design concepts. These projects can range from building simple structures using everyday materials to constructing complex machines and systems.

Websites like TeachEngineering provide a plethora of project ideas and resources for educators and students. By engaging in these projects, students learn to think critically, analyze problems, and develop innovative solutions.

They also develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and time management.

Science Investigation and Experiments

Science investigation and experiments are fundamental to STEM education as they enable high school students to explore scientific concepts through hands-on experiences. These activities involve formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results.

Websites like Science Buddies offer a vast collection of science project ideas and resources for students of all ages. By engaging in scientific investigations and experiments, students not only deepen their understanding of scientific concepts but also develop skills such as observation, data analysis, and critical thinking .

Socratic Seminars

Socratic Seminars are a valuable tool for engaging high school students in problem-solving activities. Originating from the Socratic method of teaching, these seminars encourage students to think critically and engage in thoughtful discussions.

The goal of a Socratic Seminar is to delve deeper into a particular topic or text by asking open-ended questions and encouraging students to analyze and evaluate different perspectives. This method promotes active listening, respectful dialogue, and the development of critical thinking skills.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Gloucester City High School (@gloucester_highschool_lions)

One of the key aspects of a successful Socratic Seminar is the preparation of thought-provoking discussion questions. These questions should be open-ended and encourage students to think deeply about the topic being discussed.

A well-prepared question can spark lively and insightful conversations, allowing students to explore different viewpoints and develop their own ideas. It is important for the facilitator or teacher to carefully select questions that will challenge the students and promote critical thinking.

When preparing discussion questions for a Socratic Seminar, it can be helpful to consider the following:

• What are the main themes or concepts that you want students to explore?
• How can you frame questions that will encourage students to analyze and evaluate different perspectives?
• Are there any current events or real-life examples that can be incorporated into the discussion?

During a Socratic Seminar, the facilitator plays a crucial role in guiding the conversation and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to participate. The facilitator should create a safe and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions.

It is important to establish ground rules for respectful dialogue, such as using evidence to support arguments and actively listening to others.

The facilitator can also help steer the conversation by asking follow-up questions, summarizing key points, and encouraging students to elaborate on their ideas. By actively listening and responding to student contributions, the facilitator can foster a dynamic and engaging discussion that encourages problem-solving and critical thinking.

Socratic Seminars are a powerful tool for engaging high school students in problem-solving activities. By promoting critical thinking, active listening, and respectful dialogue, these seminars provide an opportunity for students to develop their analytical skills and engage in meaningful conversations.

Whether discussing a literary text or a current event, Socratic Seminars offer a platform for students to explore complex issues and find innovative solutions.

Problem solving abilities will serve students well both in academics and in life after school. The activities discussed give teens a chance to flex their critical thinking muscles in a hands-on, engaging way.

Group challenges teach teamwork and collaboration skills, while individual puzzles help sharpen logic and reasoning. Real-world projects allow students to creatively apply STEM concepts, and seminars provide conversational problem solving practice.

The next time your high schooler seems bored or disengaged, try one of these stimulating problem solving activities! With consistent practice, teens will develop stronger skills to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

Maria Sanchez is the founder of the Save Our Schools March blog. As a former teacher and parent, she is passionate about equitable access to quality public education. Maria created the blog to build awareness around education issues and solutions after organizing a local march for public schools.

With a Master's in Education, Maria taught high school English before leaving her career to raise a family. As a parent, she became concerned about underfunded schools and over-testing. These experiences drove Maria to become an education advocate.

On the blog, Maria provides resources and policy insights from the dual perspective of an informed parent and former teacher. She aims to inspire others to join the movement for quality, equitable public education. Maria lives with her family in [city, state].

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15 Fantastic Logic and Critical Thinking Games

Games are wonderful additions to any homeschool. In fact, we typically play at least one game a day – sometimes even gameschooling for an entire day!

Not only do games bring joy and lightheartedness to the school day, they can help teach new concepts and practice old ones.

One of the most important reasons I include games in our homeschool frequently is because they are amazing for building logic and critical thinking skills!

This post includes affiliate links.

If you’ve read any of my blog posts about brain training , you’ll know that I place a lot of value on building logical thinking skills in kids. Luckily, games are one of the best ways to do that – and they don’t even require much effort on our part!

While almost every game has logic and critical thinking value, some games are made specifically to give those skills a workout. I’ve included 15 of my favorites here for you!

Logic and Critical Thinking Games

Invasion of the Cow Snatchers – A creative, single player game that uses magnetic playing pieces as you maneuver a flying saucer around obstacles on a farm to beam up all the cattle.

Domino Maze – In this hands-on, single player game, you create fun domino mazes with a critical thinking twist as you set out to build based on challenge cards.

Thinking Putty Puzzle – This is another hands-on, single player game that “stretches” your thinking skills as you complete mazes with Thinking Putty.

Qwirkle – A family favorite, this game is kind of like Scrabble with shapes & colors. Your goal is to rack up as many points as possible as you work to complete symbol combinations.

Battleship – Coordinate graphing and logical thinking are required to sink all your opponent’s ships in this classic game for two players.

Mastermind – Another classic game for two players, Mastermind is truly a top pick for practicing logical thinking skills as you deduce a hidden code.

ZooLogic – This is such a cute single player game. You must figure out how to organize dogs, cats, and mice on puzzle cards so that no fights ensue between the animals.

Guess Who? – This is the perfect game to teach beginning critical thinking skills as you ask pertinent questions to figure out your opponent’s mystery character.

SET – Get ready to work logic skills faster than your opponents as everyone races to put together the next combination of cards based on shape, color, shading, and number.

Clue – A good, old-fashioned game of Clue is perfect for sharpening logic and critical thinking skills since the goal is to use deductive reasoning to solve the mystery before anyone else.

Cat Crimes – In this hands-on, single player logic puzzle, you place cat characters on the board based on clues you are given in order to determine which one is to blame for an oopsie that has occurred.

Codenames – While this game can be played with as few as four people, it’s great for a crowd, too. Spymasters use word clues to help their teams logically consider which cards on the table will locate friendly spy agents instead of foes.

Rover Control – This creative, single player coding game teaches basic programming skills through critical thinking puzzles in which a rover must go through various start to finish challenges.

Rush Hour – A classic, single player game, Rush Hour utilizes logical thinking as you work to get an ice cream truck out of a rush hour traffic jam.

Rook – This four player card game is another family favorite that is won by logic and critical thinking between teammates (as well as a little luck.)

Gameschooling

There are so many wonderful games available these days! I’ve written about favorites for other subjects plenty of times. Feel free to click on any of the images below to see a different list of games.

P.S. Games make great gifts for any holiday or birthday. They also make great family gifts or for people who are hospital or homebound. Games are one the most frequent things we give when a gift is in order!

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April 1, 2022

Building Stronger Critical Thinking Skills With Mysteries

Who doesn’t love mysteries? They spark our curiosity, leave us eager to learn the answers, and make us feel proud when we figure out a piece of the puzzle. Mysteries are especially popular with kids; there’s a reason why there are so many book series and pieces of media about kids and teenagers who solve mysteries without help from adults.

The good news is that mysteries can also be an excellent educational tool. When boiled down to the essentials, mysteries pose a question, and sleuths find an answer. This is the same principle used in math, science, and even reading comprehension. When educators incorporate the mystery genre into their teaching, they can boost students’ critical thinking skills in a way that is fun and engaging.

Classroom Activities for Critical Thinking With Mysteries

So, how do you incorporate mysteries into your classroom? One of the most popular ways is through classroom games. Set up mysteries for students to solve, pair up investigative teams, or explore practices like evidence collection and interpretation. You can also incorporate programs or lesson plans themed around mysteries. Some ideas that you can work into your classroom include:

• Fingered Felons. Create a mystery to solve in your own classroom. Hide a “stolen object,” and then have students determine how to find clues that would lead them to the culprit. You can help them make their own fingerprints with the use of tape, paper, and a No. 2 pencil. Then bring the stolen object back, and encourage them to match the fingerprints found on it to the samples collected; they will do this by analyzing unique fingerprint patterns and shapes. Use the Touch N Go website to show kids the different fingerprint patterns. This is a great game for Grades 3 to 8.
• Mysteries in the Bag. Bring in a bag of random items. Together, with the rest of the class, come up with a story that includes every item in that bag. From there, formulate a mystery that asks, “Who, what, when, where, and why?” It’s a backwards way of forming a mystery, but it will help boost students’ creativity and critical thinking.
• History’s Mysteries. History’s Mysteries was a program on the History Channel that covered some of the mysteries and strange occurrences throughout history, including the Salem witch trials, alchemy, the Bible, and famous court cases. Have your middle or high school class research and propose mysteries of the past that History’s Mysteries could use as a theme if the show were still on the air.
• Secret Agent Stan. Secret Agent Stan is an old gumshoe who now works for a national crime solving organization and is having a difficult time adjusting. Recently, he lost his ID number. Using his log from past cases, students from Grades 3-8 can help figure out Stan’s new ID before he gets in trouble with his supervisor.
• Whodunnit? This is an excellent lesson plan to get elementary students invested in mysteries. It begins with language arts: read a mystery with your class, and discuss the different elements of the mystery: the crime, the clues, the suspects, the sleuths, and the reveals. From there, assign students to write their own mysteries. Once that’s finished, students can incorporate forensic science by making pieces of evidence like lip prints and shoe tracks.
• Murder Mystery. Engage your students at any age by allowing them to solve a murder mystery. Write out an introduction to the scene of the crime, and come up with clues. Give each student one clue, which they will then share with the class in order to collaborate in solving the mystery. You can break them up into groups and reorder the groups until each student has heard every clue. However, the students will be the ones to lead this game, working together to interpret the clues and solve the mystery.

Why Critical Thinking Matters

It’s probable that only a small percentage of your students — if any — will grow up to become detectives who solve their own mysteries. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t benefit from these mystery activities in the classroom. Critical thinking is an invaluable skill that can equip students for just about any career path, as well as help them navigate through daily life. It can be taught on some level in almost any grade and has innumerable benefits. Just a few of those benefits include:

• Deeper learning. Critical thinking encourages reflective reasoning and stronger analytical skills. Simply put, it helps students get more out of the classroom material. They’re better able to understand, and reading comprehension is likely to rise with higher critical thinking.
• Internally motivated problem solvers. As your students’ critical thinking grows, they will begin to see the world around them as a puzzle in some ways. They will constantly be on the lookout for creative solutions to problems. These problem-solving and nuanced evaluation skills will serve them in almost every aspect of their lives, as will the self-discipline that comes with this type of motivation.
• Academic achievement. When students strengthen their critical thinking skills, what they’re doing at the most basic level is developing their core reasoning. This is essential to their understanding of the material the teacher presents in class. Students with strengthened critical thinking tend to perform better in academic settings.
• Increased creativity. Critical thinking is thinking deeply, considering elements of a problem that might not be immediately obvious or may seem a little out of the box. Creativity functions in much the same way. So, it’s no wonder that critical thinking boosts creativity, whether for a future career or just for a hobby.
• Future success. Critical thinking prepares students to think more deeply and more strategically in a way that will help them in their future career path. Beyond just work, critical thinking can also help them navigate relationships and life decisions they will have to make long after they leave school.

Mysteries can be a fun game, a puzzle for students to solve. The more they solve those puzzles, however, the stronger their critical thinking will become. And the stronger their critical thinking, the more prepared they’ll be to tackle real-life puzzles.

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Think Critically, Build Community: 7 New York Times Games to Play in the Classroom

Wordle? Spelling Bee? Flashback? Connections? Teachers across subject areas and levels say Times games have become part of their routines.

By Katherine Schulten and Natalie Proulx

Why do people love games?

Back in 2020, when we all were quarantining and playing more than ever , Sam Von Ehren, a New York Times game maker, posed this question and answered it, in part, by describing what game designers call “the magic circle.”

When we are inside it, we are “playing” the game, he writes: “We’ll only do what the rules of the game allow. We will try to win. When the game ends, we leave the circle and return to normal. The magic circle is what separates a game from reality.”

For teachers, one line in his article may stand out: “When we enter the magic circle, we give ourselves permission to explore, to fail, to lose.”

This kind of exploration — and the low-stakes practice in problem-solving and collaboration that come with it — is why many teachers say they play Times games in the classroom, whether the daily crossword in the print paper or recent digital hits like Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections.

The Games team carefully constructs its puzzles to “generate a satisfying friction between difficulty and delight” so players get an “aha” moment. Teachers tell us that when their students are in the magic circle, they are engaged and thinking critically, discussing strategy, focusing on details, testing logic, refining solutions and bonding with one another — all in the few minutes it takes to solve a puzzle before they move on to other work.

Though not all of the games below can be played without a Times subscription, many can, at least up to a certain level. Which ones are your students’ favorites? Why?

First, consider the role of games in students’ lives.

Games are a rich subject for discussion. After all, nearly everyone has played at least one in their lives, and many teenagers are passionate gamers. And, according to recent reporting, their generation is inspiring changes in even the most traditional games .

To get you started, we have posted a related Student Opinion forum that asks students to think about games of all kinds, when and with whom they play them, and what benefits they bring to their lives.

Invite your students to answer the questions in their journals, or discuss them in small groups or as a whole class. They might then post some of their responses to our site to join the public conversation.

When they’re done, they may play the Puzzle Personality Quiz , which tries to match players with the kind of fun they will find both engaging and satisfying. As the Games team writes, “Human beings solve puzzles and play games for all sorts of reasons, but it can be intimidating to know where to get started on your solver journey. Let us help.”

Next, borrow these teacher-suggested strategies for play.

Over the years, teachers at all levels and across multiple subject areas have told us that New York Times games are a much-anticipated part of their classroom routines.

Here is some of the advice we’ve heard over and over:

Project or draw games on the board for a whole class activity. Or, have students team up in small groups to play against one another — or against the teacher.

Work one or more games into your classroom routines. They can be a daily warm-up or cool down activity, or a special treat each week. (Wordle Wednesdays? Mini Mondays?)

Let students lead the solving. Stand in the back of the classroom and allow the class to figure out tips and tricks on their own, without any “hints.”

Offer extra games as an enrichment option for students who finish their work early.

After you’ve played a game several times, create your own version that relates to your curriculum — or challenge your students to do so!

As students work, or after they finish, process the experience by having them share their thinking and strategies. What worked? What didn’t? What will they try next time? Is the game helping them sharpen skills they can use in their lives in general? How?

Finally, choose your game — or play them all!

What it is: A viral sensation first released in 2021, the game gives you six chances to guess a five-letter word.

Why play? As one student told us , “ It is a perfect combination of strategy, vocabulary, risk and guessing all in one package.” Another said, “By playing Wordle, I feel connected to millions of people across the world.” Teachers tell us that it fosters a love for words and language, and also helps develop their students’ reasoning skills.

Many educators seem to use it. For instance, in 2022, Lara Hunt, from Baytown, Texas, wrote:

I use Wordle with my newcomer emergent bilingual students everyday! I challenge them to figure out the words using an ESL dictionary. Sometimes they use the dictionary, and sometimes they don’t. The excitement is contagious when they figure out the word, especially if they used fewer tries than me!

Students also enjoy it on their own. In 2023, Jack Cole, a 16-year-old from Boca Raton, Fla., was a winner of our Summer Reading Contest with these reflections on the game, which he titled “Until Tomorrow, Wordle!”

When I first accepted your challenge, I thought you were a refreshing way to start my brain for the day. Well, 648 days later our relationship has, shall we say, evolved. There are days that you and I are as one. When this happens, I enjoy a challenging but solvable puzzle, smile, and move on with my day. Other mornings, you are exceptionally easy, leading me to believe that I am obviously an expert Wordler. Then there are the other days. Wordle, although you vehemently deny it, I know you are getting sneakier over time. When you used the triple vowel for the unbelievably random word “CACAO,” I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Despite this courtesy, there are the days that you slide in the double consonant words when you know full well people aren’t thinking of two “N’s in “ENNUI.” I mean, that’s not even English! Then, you get downright subversive. For example, “PARER” is a word that may be used outside of a professional kitchen once a year. I fully admit that I threw my (encased) phone at the couch when you told me on guess four that “PAPER” was incorrect. You knew that would ruin people’s days, right? And the worst part, Wordle, is that I can’t clean out my phone’s history because I’m terrified of losing my 232-day winning streak. Until tomorrow, Wordle!

Make it your own: In 2022 we asked teachers to tell us how they use Wordle and to offer advice for others. Here is some of what they said:

Dean Schmeltz, from Denver:

By the end of last school year, I was starting my classes with a quick game of Wordle most days. I’d load the site on a big screen in front of the room, and students would call out word suggestions, trying to convince one another what the next guess should be. Wordle was a language-related way to bring more collaboration into the classroom, and ensure that my students experienced a collective win within the first few minutes of class. Engagement was voluntary — it was more of a free-for-all than a typical “Do Now” activity, which would be expected of everyone and aligned to the lesson. It was often an opportunity to observe how participatory individual students were feeling that day.

Traci Fontana, from Fort Collins, Colo.:

I use Wordle as a way to discuss word strategies. Top strategies include: 1. Start with a word with at least two vowels (and many need a refresher in what vowels are) and high frequency consonants. We discuss what these might be. 2. Think of sounds that commonly blend together — such as sh, sl, st, tr, ch, etc. when faced with a single consonant and you have established it is not followed by a vowel. 3. When an A is in the third letter position, it is a long A when the last letter is E. The e is silent. For English language learners, this helps as they add unfamiliar words to their personal word bank. 4. There are familiar ways that words end, more than simply -ing. We discuss those and take note of them too as we encounter them in various texts.

Catherine Murray, from Wayne, N.J.:

As a high school French Teacher, I create my own Wordle in French. The first student who gets it receives a small prize — a no homework pass, or something comparable. They love it!

Liz Mendoza, from Phoenix:

We use the D.I.Y. Wordle knockoffs more. We will use these as anticipatory sets for new content area and as very low stakes formative assessments. We choose words related to topics we will be studying in class.

Sean Flanagan, from New York City:

In my fourth grade homeroom, we do an “offline” version using five blank squares and X’s and O’s and check marks to represent gray, yellow and green. The kids love it! After I choose a word, I let a student pick the next one.

What else to know: There is a new Wordle every day. Though your students will quickly develop their own strategies for winning, here is a collection of the best tips and tricks from solvers all over the world, and an article on how people choose a starting word. There is also a Wordle bot that analyzes your play, as well as a daily Wordle review . And because so many classrooms have adopted a Wordle habit, you can find many more ideas online, as in this piece from Education Week . You can also find variations through pieces like “ Wordle Inspired Games for the Classroom ” or this collection called “ LikeWordle .”

Finally, if your students don’t know Wordle’s origin story , they are sure to be charmed by it.

Spelling Bee

What it is: A word game that challenges players to make as many words as they can from a set of seven different letters. Since its print debut in 2014 and the introduction of the digital game in 2018, Spelling Bee has spawned a mascot named Beeatrice, an ardent online #HiveMind and daily forums for solvers .

Why play? Spelling Bee is excellent for building vocabulary and practicing spelling, of course. Plus, it’s a naturally differentiated activity. There are always some easier words and some more difficult ones.

How to adapt it for your classroom: In this post , we teamed up with Sam Ezersky, the editor of Spelling Bee, to create five puzzles appropriate for middle and high schoolers that can be played without a subscription.

In the post, we quote Miah Daughtery, a former English teacher and the literacy director of content advocacy and design at NWEA, a research and student assessment organization. She suggests placing students in pairs to find words in the puzzle, and then giving them a set of follow-up questions to relate them to their reading:

What word on your list could be used to describe any character from the book we’re reading and why?

If a character were to say one of the words on your list, which one would they say and why?

Consider the setting of the text we’re reading. What words from the puzzle would you use to describe it?

Choose two words from your list. Now, think about the text we’re reading. How would you use the two words you chose to describe the text to someone who has not read it?

What else to know: You can play a new Spelling Bee online each day. Spelling Bee also appears in the print paper on Sundays, in the Magazine section. The Times offers a suite of helpful resources, including a library of tips and tricks , a bot that gives you personalized hints , a daily discussion forum and a collection of past puzzles . To learn more about its community of solvers, read “ The Genius of Spelling Bee .”

Connections

What it is: A logic game where you group words that share a common thread.

Why play? This game challenges players to look closely, identify patterns and use logic to find the connection among words. It builds vocabulary and subject-specific background knowledge and encourages wordplay with idioms and homonyms. More than some other games on this list, your success will be informed by your unique knowledge and personality.

Make it your own: Try creating your own Connections game — or challenge your students to create one — related to a topic you are studying in class, perhaps as a review or formative assessment. Or, make one about your school and its local community. This post, from Minds in Bloom , explains how one teacher uses the game and adapts it.

For tips on how to build a game and vary the difficulty, read “ How Our New Game, Connections, Is Put Together ,” by Wyna Liu, the game’s editor. You can use this site to create a custom puzzle or, for a more tactile version, write or print words on individual pieces of paper that students can move into categories by hand.

What else to know: There is a new game online each day, as well as a daily discussion forum, Connections Companion . You can find an unofficial archive of puzzles here . (And you can see the answer to the Connections puzzle above here .) For tips and tricks, consult How to Line Up a Great Connections Solve .

What it is: A weekly history quiz that asks you to sort eight events in chronological order.

Why play? A great tool for the history classroom, Flashback not only tests students’ general knowledge, but also helps them to build historical context and make connections to what’s happening in the world. Times editors choose the events, and many are related to news from the previous week. If you want to go deeper on any one event, you’ll find links to Times reporting.

Make it your own: As a review or assessment, create a Flashback quiz for your students — or have them create their own — using events related to something you are studying, such as a particular historical period, the plot of a novel or the discovery of scientific concepts you are teaching.

Or, create a hands-on version by writing each event on a piece of paper and inviting students to arrange them by hand.

What else to know: You can find a new quiz every Sunday in the Upshot section or via The Morning newsletter. And if your students love current events, don’t forget that The Learning Network has a free weekly News Quiz , as well as annual summer and end-of-year quizzes.

The Mini Crossword

What it is: A mini version of the classic New York Times Crossword that can typically be solved within minutes.

Why play? This little 5-by-5 grid can do a lot. Educators have long known that crosswords help build cultural knowledge, not to mention strategy, vocabulary, spelling and reasoning skills. Many of the words in this Times game are also connected to the news of the day. Plus, the mini version may be more manageable for students.

Make it your own: Create your own mini crossword or challenge students to make one related to a theme or topic you are studying in class as a formative assessment. The Times has a whole series that walks readers through how to build a crossword , including how to develop a theme , how to build and fill the grid, and how to write clues . Plus, it’s put together a collection of digital tools to help you make your own puzzle.

For inspiration or for fun, you can also check out our old Student Crossword Archive , which contains more than 150 puzzles on topics inspired by subjects across the curriculum.

What else to know: A new puzzle arrives each day and you can play without a Times subscription. For tips and tricks for solving the Mini see this tutorial . You can find an archive of puzzles here . And if tackling this mini puzzle inspires your students to take on the full Times Crossword, here is a guide to solving it.

Letter Boxed

What it is: A word game where players must spell words by connecting letters around a square.

Why play? This is a spelling and vocabulary game that also requires a bit of logic and spatial reasoning. Like Spelling Bee, it is naturally differentiated — players can spell short, simple words or look for more complex letter combinations. You can up the ante by challenging students to solve in the least number of words possible. Can they use all the letters with fewer than six words? Four? The elusive two?

Make it your own: Like all the games we’ve featured here, this one is excellent for building community and prompting a little friendly competition between classes. For an extra challenge, you might ask your students to create sentences with each of the words they make, or ask if they can connect any of the words they came up with to something they’ve learned in class — and explain those connections.

What else to know: Read “ How to Beat Letter Boxed at Its Own Game ” for some helpful tips.

What it is: A logic puzzle that is a numbers game minus the math.

The Times didn’t invent Sudoku, of course, though its origins are murky . A regular game, like the one pictured above, has nine boxes, each divided into nine cells for a total of 81. The goal is to fill in each of the cells with a number from one through nine. The digits must be placed so that each appears only once per row, column and box.

Why play? This game can improve students’ reasoning, enhance their ability to focus, help them recognize patterns and spur them to think critically. Though it is a logic game rather than a math game, teachers tell us having students explain their reasoning as they make moves can help them practice the kind of “math talk” they need for solving math problems. And, because you can play at different levels, it is an easy activity to differentiate.

Make it your own: Sudoku is a logic puzzle, which can be solved through deductive reasoning. While Sudoku puzzles are generally created using computers (such as an online Sudoku generator), students can actually create their own custom logic puzzles about anything they like. The Alachua County Library District provides step-by-step instructions for creating a logic grid puzzle , with an example that uses book titles, genres, due dates and students.

What else to know: You can play this puzzle daily on “easy,” “medium” or “hard,” and Sudoku Tips for Beginners , from the Games team, can help you level up. If you become really good, you might like to know what it takes to wear the Sudoku crown so you can enter the World Sudoku and Puzzle Championships. To become as agile as possible, you might also want to try these Sudoku variants .

But wait! There’s more …

Because all links to Times articles from The Learning Network are free, we’ve rounded up and categorized some pieces that can invite the gamers in your classroom to go further. Enjoy!

Not satisfied with the seven New York Times games we’ve listed above? Here are three more:

Tiles Vertex Strands

Want some tips for winning a few classics? The Games team has thoughts:

Solitaire UNO Catan Scrabble Monopoly Jenga Logic Puzzles

Looking to learn new games or host a game night? These articles can help:

Running Out of Games? Remember These Old-School Favorites

New York Times Video Game Reviews of 2024

Keeping the Peace With Road Trip Games

The Perfect Game Night Doesn’t Have to Be a Puzzle

Interested in the role games play in our lives? Here are some interesting recent articles:

The Dungeons & Dragons Players of Death Row

Video Games Let Them Choose a Role. Their Transgender Identities Flourished.

My Children Helped Me Remember How to Fly

The Treasure Hunters of Block Island

How Gen Z Made the Crossword Their Own

Curious about the New York Times Games team? Learn more:

How Joy Grows in the Space Between a Game’s Rules

The Nicest Place on the Internet

And from Vanity Fair: Inside The New York Times’ Big Bet on Games

Katherine Schulten has been a Learning Network editor since 2006. Before that, she spent 19 years in New York City public schools as an English teacher, school-newspaper adviser and literacy coach. More about Katherine Schulten

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

85 Fun Critical Thinking Questions for Kids & Teens

Have you ever thought about using fun questions to practice critical thinking?

Students may need a little guidance to think their way through questions that lack straightforward answers.

But it is that process that is important!

How the Right Questions Encourage Critical Thinking

Every parent knows how natural it is for children to ask questions. 

It should be encouraged. After all, asking questions helps with critical thinking.

As they grow older, however, training them to answer questions can be equally beneficial.

Posing questions that encourage kids to analyze, compare, and evaluate information can help them develop their ability to think critically about tough topics in the future. 

Of course, critical thinking questions for kids need to be age-appropriate—even better if you can mix a little fun into it!

That’s what I hope to help you with today. I’ve organized the questions below into three different ages groups:

• Upper elementary
• Middle school
• High school 

Get a Question-Based Critical Thinking Exercise—Free!

Introduce critical thinking gently & easily with thought-provoking exercises.

Upper Elementary

Students in upper elementary grades can be reluctant to put themselves out there, especially with answers that seem weird. 

In some cases, such hesitancy is actually fear of differing from their peers (and a barrier to critical thinking ). 

But that’s exactly why it’s important to practice answering ambiguous questions. 

We want our children to stand firm for their beliefs—not cave to peer pressure. 

Additionally, students may feel uneasy about answering serious questions, uncertain of tackling “big” problems. 

However, with careful use of creative questions for kids, it’s possible to engage even the most reluctant children in this age group. 

The idea is to simply get them interested in the conversation and questions asked.

If you have an especially reserved student, try starting with the funny critical thinking questions. 

Humor is a natural icebreaker that can make critical thinking questions more lighthearted and enjoyable. 

Of course, most younger kids just like to be silly, so playing upon that can keep them active and engaged.

With that said, here are some great questions to get you started:

1. Someone gives you a penguin. You can’t sell it or give it away. What do you do with it?

2. What would it be like if people could fly?

3. If animals could talk, what question would you ask? 

4. If you were ice cream, what kind would you be and why?

5. Do you want to travel back in time? If yes, how far back would you go? If no, why not?

6. What could you invent that would help your family? 

7. If you could stay up all night, what would you do?

8. What does the man on the moon do during the day?

9. What makes something weird or normal? 

10. Can you describe the tastes “salty” and “sweet” without using those words?

11. What does it feel like to ride a rollercoaster?

12. What makes a joke funny?

13. What two items would you take if you knew you would be stranded on an island and why?

14. Do you have a favorite way of laughing?

15. What noise makes you cringe and cover your ears? Why?

16. If you could be the parent for the day, what would you do?

17. If you could jump into your favorite movie and change the outcome, which one would you pick and why?

18. If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

19. What makes a day “perfect”?

20. If you owned a store, what kind of products would you sell?

21. If your parents were your age, would you be friends with them?

22. Would you still like your favorite food if it tasted the same as always, but now had an awful smell?

23. What would you do if you forgot to put your shoes on before leaving home?

24. Who would you be if you were a cartoon character?

25. How many hot dogs do you think you could eat in one sitting?

26. If you could breathe under water, what would you explore?

27. At what age do you think you stop being a kid?

28. If you had springs in your legs, what would you be able to do?

29. Can you describe the color blue to someone if they’re blind?

Middle School

At this point, students start to acquire more complex skills and are able to form their own conclusions based on the information they’re given. 

However, we can’t expect deep philosophical debates with 12 and 13 year olds. 

That said, as parent-teachers, we can certainly begin using more challenging questions to help them examine and rationalize their thought processes. 

Browse the fun critical thinking questions below for students in this age range. 

You might be surprised to see how receptive middle school kids can be to such thought-provoking (yet still fun) questions .

30. What would happen if it really did rain cats and dogs?

31. What does it mean to be lucky?

32. If you woke up in the middle of a dream, where would you be?

33. Is it ever okay to lie? Why or why not?

34. If you were solely responsible for creating laws, what one law would you make?

35. What makes a person a good friend?

36. What do you think is the most important skill you can take into adulthood?

37. If you had to give up lunch or dinner, which would you choose? Why?

38. How much money would you need to be considered rich?

39. If you knew you wouldn’t get caught, would you cheat on a test?

40. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

41. What is your greatest strength? How is that an asset?

42. If you had an opportunity to visit the International Space Station, would you do it?

43. Is it better to keep the peace or speak your mind?

44. Imagine yourself as your favorite animal. How would you spend your day?

45. Would you be friends with someone who didn’t have the same values as you?

46. How much screen time do you think is too much?

47. Can you describe your favorite color without naming it?

48. If you suddenly became blind, would you see things differently?

49. Would you ever go skydiving?

50. Describe the time you were the happiest in your life. Why did this make you happy?

51. If you had a million dollars, what would you do?

52. If you had to move to a new city, would you change how you present yourself to others?

53. What do you need to do in order to be famous?

54. If you could rewrite the ending of your favorite book or movie, what changes would you make?

55. How would you tackle a huge goal?

56. How would you sell ice to an eskimo in Alaska successfully?

57. What makes you unique?

High School

Critical thinking takes on an entirely different role once students reach high school. 

At this age, they have a greater sense of right and wrong (and what makes things so) as well as a better understanding of the world’s challenges.

Guiding teens to delve deeper and contemplate such things is an important part of developing their reasoning and critical thinking skills. 

Whether it’s fun questions about hypothetical superpowers or tough critical thinking questions about life, older teens typically have what it takes to think their way to a logical conclusion . 

Of course, use your discernment as you choose discussion topics, but here are some questions to help get you started:

58. How can you avoid [common problem] in the future?

59. Do you think it’s okay to take a life in order to save 5, 10, 20 or more people?

60. If you could go back and give your younger self advice, what would it be?

61. Is it better to give or receive a gift?

62. How important is it to be financially secure? Why?

63. If it was up to you, what one rule would you change in your family?

64. What would you do if a group of friends wanted to do something that you thought was a bad idea?

65. How do you know that something is a fact rather than an opinion?

66. What would it take to get you to change your mind?

67. What’s the most important thing in your life?

68. If money were of no concern, what job would you choose and why?

69. How do you know if you’re happy?

70. Do you think euthanasia is moral?

71. What is something you can do today that you weren’t able to do a year ago?

72. Is social media a good thing or not?

73. Is it right to keep animals in a zoo?

74. How does your attitude affect your abilities?

75. What would you do if you found out a friend was doing something dangerous?

76. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?

77. What will life on Earth look like in 50 years?

78. Which is more important, ending world hunger or global warming?

79. Is it a good idea to lower the voting age to 16? Why or why not?

80. If the electrical power went out today, how would you cook if using wood wasn’t an option?

81. If you could magically transport yourself to any other place, where would that be and why?

82. When should teenagers be able to stay out all night?

83. Does the number zero actually exist?

84. What defines a generous person?

85. Does an influential person influence everyone?

Feel free to print out these fun critical thinking questions and incorporate them into your homeschool week!

will your children recognize truth?

About the author.

Jordan Mitchell

6 Fun Brainstorming Activities For High School Students

Did you know brainstorming is the art of critical thinking to arrive at the best ideas and outcomes? Yes, right from making a shopping decision to innovating new products, brainstorming plays an important role in life. As brainstorming is required in most events of life, high schoolers are more likely to benefit from this skill. High schoolers are on the edge to step into the world and explore different career paths. Now, that’s when they require brainstorming to analyze options, innovate solutions, and modify problems into opportunities.

In order to practice this skill, Brainstorming activities are considered to be the ideal options to choose from. While carrying out these activities, students are more likely to express their views which enables them to practice and build self-advocacy. 

If you wish to build self-esteem and involve higher participation from students, below are some brainstorming activities that are an ideal combination of creativity, analytical thinking, and accepting individual differences. 

How can brainstorming help high schoolers?

Brainstorming is a simple and innovative mind exercise that can keep the students engaged in coming up with inventiveness and creativity in thinking. In these activities, the mind keeps working and creates an enjoyable environment even in a boring concept. This practice can be of great use to high schoolers and below mentioned points are highlighted on the same.

• High schoolers have to prepare for their further education and this is the right phase for them to learn the art of brainstorming. 
• Such activities increase critical thinking abilities as the students learn to put forward their ideas after analyzing solutions.
• Individual students’ voices can meld with the group’s voice during brainstorming sessions hence, they take risks in expressing their opinions in a group filled with diverse thoughts.
• As high schoolers are to step into the world and meet different individuals, brainstorming activities teach them the importance of acceptance.
• Students also learn to respect different perspectives and ideas that might not necessarily interest them.

Engaging activities for brainstorming 

1. drop multiple ideas.

This simplistic, easy-to-play game is great for fostering creative thinking skills. When brainstorming, this inventiveness is particularly a crucial talent because it aims to generate multiple ideas in a quick span of time.

• In this game, students are required to come up with different usage of an object or a product. For example, the teacher may show a bucket and students can drop multiple ideas about its usage.
• The students can either play it individually or be paired in teams.
• A timer is an additional element to increase competitiveness as it also checks the innovative thoughts generated within the restricted time frame.

This activity enables raw thinking essential for brainstorming. As there are no right or wrong answers, students can put forth the strangest ideas and never know if that happens to the best, most unique one! 

2. Sell it to Me

You must have seen various commercials and advertisements on television and social media platforms. However, high schoolers can get exposure to the deep analytical thinking that goes behind selling a product. 

• In this game, teachers should make chits of various products that cannot be sold physically. For example, stars, energy, buoyant force, or nebula blast in the universe.
• These products/aspects cannot be touched or felt by anyone.
• That’s the real twist of the game, students shall have to come up with innovative ideas to sell the natural elements of the world. For example, they can sell the feeling of love by advertising stars to the audience.
• The team with the most innovative sales pitch wins the game.

This interesting brainstorming game enables high schoolers to think extraordinarily as these things cannot be sold. Teachers can also take basic products however, students might have some exposure compared to these natural aspects of the earth.

3. Storyboarding

Storyboarding is a broad concept used in the E-learning industry. A storyboard is a unique way to draft ideas, solutions, and courses, and explain concepts to students and learners.

• In this game, the high schoolers will have to prepare a storyboard based on a topic given by the teacher.
• Give them different elements that can be of use in the process of storyboard creation. For example, they can use pictures, quotes, different examples, and infographics.
• Now, give them a topic a day before the activity starts. Each student should be given a different topic and they should bring their required materials accordingly.
• The twist is to make teams on the day of the activity so that students with different topics are now in the same team with multiple unique materials.
• Now, assign them any one topic for storyboard creation. For example – Benefits of Teamwork.
• Students should now create their own storyboard and coordinate with other team members.

This interesting brainstorming activity is a great example of team building, cooperation, and being open to new ideas. As students work with different perspectives, they learn to share and receive knowledge on multiple ideas.

4. Where is the End?

Introducing a fun brainstorming activity for high schoolers to learn coordination and teamwork. This activity is a story-based focus on building and restructuring the story.

• In this game, divide the class in groups of 3 or 4 students each.
• The teacher should begin with a random story or a title. For example, Rachel got late as she was stuck in solving a problem..
• After this, pick a random team number and ask the team to continue the story.
• The team should be given 2 minutes to think and form the plot of the story.
• As the team continues with it, stop them at any given point and pick another team to continue the story.

This game sets a competitive environment to get the best plot for the story. Additionally, all teams start the brainstorming process as they never know which team would be picked next or when the story is supposed to end. Such activity is absolute fun as the story can take turns from being funny, serious, humorous, to mysterious. 

5. Think it Deep

High schoolers study different subjects and are likely to acquire basic knowledge on various topics. This game is particularly good for brainstorming as it involves aspects from different subject matters.

• In this game, make the students sit in a circle.
• Now, give them one instruction for which they should say one word aloud. For example, the names of cities in the USA.
• Students shall now start mentioning the cities one after the other. For example, New York, Boston, etc.
• As the game begins, the teacher should stop any student in between and change the instruction of the game. For example, types of books for studying math.
• Now, students start speaking their answers aloud. 
• It should be fast-paced and they should not be given more than 2 seconds to come up with the answer.

This is a highly challenging game as students are likely to mess up on different topics. The game promotes critical thinking abilities as students start thinking about the answer even before the turn. 

6. Find your answer

This is a simple yet unique brainstorming activity to promote an innovative environment in the classroom. Teachers can equally enjoy listening to varied and strange answers from students and their teams.

• In this game, the teachers should come up with different and strange problems and present them to students.
• Make sure these problems are a bit different than their daily life or the ongoing academic topics.
• The students are then required to state their answers and also state the purpose of their thought behind the problem.
• For example, teachers can ask similar questions as mentioned – Which 5 things will you offer to aliens if they wish to capture the earth? Why? Or If you are stuck in the school library, what 3 things would you like to steal? Why?
• With such questions, students have to think creatively and form their answers based on their intelligence and understanding.

Such an activity promotes a competitive environment where students are bound to think beyond their daily conversations. This also enables students to research more about a problem that might interest them during the gameplay. This activity can be played in teams or with individual students by setting a time limit for each. 

Conclusion 

Brainstorming activities are beneficial to boost knowledge and promote unconventional ways of thinking. Brainstorming techniques allow students to be free from limitations that can minimize new answers, leading to many of the finest ideas. Students also understand the importance of unity in diversity as they are active with team members who have their set of ideas and opinions.

Brainstorming is also crucial when students plan to start their careers in different fields of interest. Whether it is marketing, engineering, or any other work area, brainstorming leads to innovative ideas. Such activities also help broaden the horizon and enhance students’ critical thinking capabilities.

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of  Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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10 Problem Solving Activities for High School Students

Published on march 15, 2017 at 12:01 am by ethan jacobs in lists , news.

Why should we care about problem solving activities for high school students ?  What’s the fastest way to get to and from work? How can I complete a task more efficiently? What should I have for lunch today? No matter the size, scale, or ramifications, we all encounter scenarios every day that require the very best of our decision-making abilities. The approaches that we employ to solve these problems can be every bit as diverse as the problems themselves.

Sometimes we crowdsource, other times we decide using trial and error, and in a pinch, we solicit the unerring wisdom of Siri. What happens though, when there simply is no collection of experts to whom we can appeal and we’re devoid of the familiar technology that helps make our decisions for us? Computers do an excellent job of automating processes, but are incapable of the initial pattern recognition required to identify the most efficient solution available. What’s more, in a time crunch, trial and error won’t stand you in good stead; you’ll have to decide in an instant. This need for self-reliance in decision-making scenarios makes critical thinking, the ability to use facts, knowledge and data to successfully solve problems,​ absolutely indispensable. This is further reflected by the ​ recent trend​  of rapid growth in demand across industries that seek talent with considerable problem-solving abilities, as well as the increased use of problem solving activities ​in the workplace​ to continue employee development.

Marijus Auruskevicius/Shutterstock.com

In order to best set the next generation up for success in this regard, it’s critical to begin fostering these skills from an early age. Beginning in high school or earlier, problem solving enables students to apply what they’ve learned as opposed to merely recalling information that they have been spoonfed, equipping them with an arsenal of tools and approaches to tackle issues that may have previously seemed uni-dimensional. This ability, in turn, transforms the rigors of academic learning into that something that’s applicable at a professional level, simultaneously silencing the familiar “when will I ever use this?” chorus to which educators have become so accustomed. Whether carried out in individual or group settings, problem solving activities help students develop critical skills such as leadership, teamwork, creativity, persistence, and incremental improvement through repetition.

And if you are looking for more brain thinking activities we have a similar read –  10 Best Team Building Problem Solving Activities .

In addition to discovering new, useful techniques with which to tackle problems, students that are immersed in problem solving endeavors learn effective ways to present their findings once all is said and done, providing them with valuable written and oral skills in addition to those included in the aforementioned list. In short, when teachers​ present students with problems and task them with finding a solution, teachers can ensure that their students are prepared for challenges that they will encounter after graduation. We searched the web looking for the best problem solving games, and took the  recommendations from various sources, such as Concordia , and  Stanford  to name a few. Here is a list of 10 problem solving activities for high school students to help them sharpen their skills.

10. Protto: Problem Lotto

Played individually, or with partners, this competitive game involves creative thinking and teaches students that problems often have more than one solution, and that sometimes one solution can be used for more multiple problems.

Overview: Students divide one sheet of paper into four quadrants by drawing one vertical and horizontal line. Each quadrant represents a problem that the students have selected from a designated list of problems. The teacher may randomly draw cards or have students draw blindly from a set of cards that have solutions printed on them. If a solution fits a problem listed in one of the students’ quadrants, they may write the solution in that quadrant. If the solution fits for more than one problem quadrant, the student may write it in each quadrant where it applies. The first student to fill out all four quadrants and shout ‘Protto!’ is the winner. The teacher serves as the games judge. And now, let’s see what else we have in our list of problem solving activities for high school students.

9.​ ​Pulling Pockets

The next one in our list of problem solving activities for high school students is played with an entire class divided into teams of equal size, this activity targets students’ ability to think quickly, cooperate, and collaborate to come up with as lengthy a list as possible. Using “pockets” (anything that can be closed, such as a bag, jar, envelope, etc.) that contain problem scenarios within them (on a slip of paper or card), teams compete by taking turns providing viable solutions to the problem contained in the pocket over a 60-second span. For example, if a pocket’s problem is “I forgot my homework,” each team, starting with the team that selected the pocket, will provide a solution to the forgotten homework problem. A panel of independent judges will decide whether a proposed solution is viable. The round ends when the 60 seconds ends or when no more new solutions can be produced.

ThefotosoloNo1/Shutterstock.com

8. Solution Bee

Played with an entire class divided into teams, this game is similar to a spelling bee with respect to its round-by-round guessing elements, and encourages students to broaden their innovative thinking capabilities. Although it certainly has elements of luck, this activity also relies heavily on creativity. One at a time, students blindly select one card from a fanned deck that the teacher is holding. On the card that the student picks will be a problem, which the teacher will read aloud, as well as a solution to that problem, which is meant to be kept secret. The competing teams will take turns guessing the ‘best’ solution to the problem read by the teacher until one side guesses the correct answer and earns a point for their team. The process is then repeated with another student selecting a new card. A follow-up discussion can be had among the students after each round about whether the written solution actually represents the best method of solving the problem.

7.​ ​Brainstorm Bonanza

This problem-solving activity that ranks 7th in our list of problem solving activities for high school students is applicable across all academic disciplines and is a great way to help students further develop their understanding of a particular topic. For example, if a literature class is discussing a book, which was not a resounding success, or was poorly-received by readers, students may brainstorm ways that the author could have created a more effective piece. The brainstorming process can take place individually or in groups, using paper or a whiteboard.

Copyright: jezper / 123RF Stock Photo

6. Group Therapy

A class can collaborate to design and decorate a locked box with a slot cut into it at the top. Into this box, students can anonymously jot down and submit problems that they may be having in their lives, be they in your class, another class, or entirely outside of school that they are having trouble solving on their own. Every now and again, a student or teacher can draw a problem slip from the box, read it to the class, and solicit suggestions from everyone. The entire class can brainstorm solutions and discuss their merit as a group.

5. Survivor Scenarios

Create an imagined circumstance that involves students working together in order to survive. One such scenario might involve being trapped in a remote area, such as a mountain range, with limited supplies and no way of communicating with the outside world. Students must prioritize the items that they have at their disposal, and discuss how they will use one another’s strengths and weaknesses to gather necessary resources and establish lodging to survive an indefinite period of isolation until help is able to arrive and rescue them. More ideas for problem solving activities for high school students are coming, just click on Next.

YUTTANA HONGTANSAWAT/Shutterstock.com

4. Moral Dilemma

We are continuing with the number 4 in our list of problem solving activities for high school students – brainstorm a number of issues with potential moral grey areas that your students might face on a day-to-day basis, jot them down and place them in some kind of container. Draw a scenario from time to time and present the issue to the students to promote brainstorming of potential solutions and discussion of solution merits. One such dilemma might involve life-saving: Two people are trapped in a car hanging on the edge of a cliff. Pulling one person from the car will cause a weight imbalance that causes the car to fall off of the edge of the cliff. You must save one person, or the car will fall and both will die. Who will you save?

Stokkete/Shutterstock.com

We are continuing our list of problem solving activities for high school students with “Amoeba” that is a straightforward activity that can serve as a trust exercise, warm-up, or group problem-solving activity. It involves movement, and is a great way of breaking the ice. Using a large rope or some form of webbing, create a loop and place it on the floor. Have all students step into the enclosed loop and pick it up at waist level so that it encloses everyone. Tell students that they may not drop the rope and must collectively move to a given point in the room. The smaller or tighter the loop, the more difficult the activity becomes, and the more teamwork is required. Obstacles can be added at the teacher’s discretion to make the activity particularly difficult. Once the activity has concluded, debriefing discussions about working as a team, considering the needs of others, and effectively communicating can be held.

2. ​ Quarto

This two-player logic game ranks second in our list of problem solving activities for high school students. It closely-resembles Connect Four, and uses a 4×4 board and 16 different pieces with no two pieces that are exactly alike. The pieces are either dark, light, tall, short, square, rounded, hollow, or solid. The objective of the game is to form a line in which all pieces have something in common (i.e. a line of all dark pieces, a line of all short pieces, etc.). The trick to this game is that there is a pick your poison element involved in that a player’s opponent has to pick the piece that the player must use on each turn, rather than the player getting to choose their own piece.

Ballda/Shutterstock.com

1. What can you do with ______?

Bring in a collection of everyday household items and select one to present to the class. Allow students to examine the item closely and determine the various functions that the item could perform, encouraging innovation, creativity and in-class discussion. Students may be given a defined period of time in which to brainstorm and write down the uses that they have thought of. For example, if a crate is brought in, students might suggest functions such as: ​carrying vessel; flower bed/ pot; chair/ seating device; book rack, etc. Points may be awarded for the most creative answers.

Kellis/Shutterstock.com

 The importance of using critical thinking skills on a day-to-day basis will only continue to grow over time.  Trying out these problem solving activities for high school students in your next class is a sure-fire way to sharpen your students’ skills in a way that’s sure to keep everyone engaged.

Slideshow List XFinance Survivor Scenarios Problem Lotto group activity Quarto critical thinking game amoeba problem solving activity activities to improve creativity Protto critical thinking exercise What can you do with this activity Group Therapy brainstorming exercise activities to improve teamwork skills Solution Bee critical thinking exercise Pulling Pockets problem solving activity Moral Dilemma critical thinking exercises Brainstorm Bonanza critical thinking activity 10 Best Team Building Problem Solving Activities brainstorming activities for high school students problem solving activities for high school students critical thinking exercises for high school students 10 Problem Solving Activities for High School Students activities to improve persistence in high school students Show more... Show less

• October 1, 2023

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• Game Guides

Best Board Games for Teens and High Schoolers (They will Love!)

Welcome to a universe where board games for teens promise nothing but heaps of laughs, a dash of competition, and oodles of fun moments for all family members.

So, let’s not wait a second longer and explore the games that promise to turn every game night into an epic adventure!

Monopoly: An Endless Rollercoaster of Fun

Monopoly isn’t just another board game. It’s an invitation to step into a world where properties are bought, trades are made, and fortunes are built with every roll of the dice, ensuring so much fun at every family game night.

Learn How to Win at Monopoly:

• Strategies For Winning Monopoly
• Are Red And Orange Properties The Secret to Winning Monopoly?

Clue: Solve the Mystery Together

Dive into Clue , where every room is a new mystery and every player, a detective, applying critical thinking skills to unveil whodunit, turning the board game into a thrilling experience every game night.

Scrabble: Battle of Words

Welcome to Scrabble , a board game where words turn into weapons and vocabularies become armies, offering a mix of learning and fun while subtly enhancing those critical thinking skills.

Exploding Kittens: Laughter Galore

Exploding Kittens is here to assure that every card game can be a burst of laughter! With its fast-paced and hilarious game mechanics, it promises to be a crowd-pleaser, ensuring every family game night is a barrel of laughs.

Codenames: Unveil the Hidden Word Agents

Jump into a universe of mystery with Codenames , where words aren’t just letters but secret agents waiting to be discovered, providing a blend of suspense and so much fun throughout the evening.

Double Ditto: Quick-Fire Fun

Double Ditto challenges players to think alike and is a perfect game for those who love fast-paced excitement. With its quick game dynamics, it’s set to have everyone on their toes and inject an extra dose of thrill into the family game night.

Throw Throw Burrito: Dodge, Duck, and Dive

Brace yourselves for Throw Throw Burrito , a card game and a dodgeball in one, where players exchange cards to collect sets and throw squishy burritos at each other, ensuring a hilarious game night experience.

Ticket to Ride Europe: Choo-Choo!

All aboard! Ticket to Ride Europe is here to take teens on a railway adventure across the country, where building the best train routes matter and every track could mean triumph or defeat, adding a fun strategy element to every family game night.

Candy Land: A Sweet Game Awaits

Venture into the enchanting world of Candy Land , a board game that promises to bring sweetness and joy to all high schoolers, as they navigate through a world filled with sugary delights, ensuring so much fun and sweetness in every move.

Conclusion:

Choosing board games for teens that deliver waves of enjoyment, bonding, and a sprinkle of competition is the secret to unforgettable evenings. From classics like Monopoly and Clue to the dynamic thrills of Exploding Kittens and Double Ditto, there’s a game to tickle everyone’s fancy and create memories that linger. So pick a board game and let the fun begin!

Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating through the world of board games for teens? Here are the answers to some common questions to guide your next game night.

What are some popular board games high schoolers enjoy?

High schoolers often gravitate towards board games like Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble, Exploding Kittens, Double Ditto, and Ticket to Ride for their mix of fun, strategy, and excitement.

How to ensure a board game is suitable for both teens and adults?

When selecting board games for teens, consider choosing ones with straightforward rules, a balance of luck and strategy, and themes that are engaging for all age groups to ensure fun for the entire family.

What are some fast-paced board games perfect for high schoolers?

High schoolers often enjoy fast-paced games like Exploding Kittens, Double Ditto, and Throw Throw Burrito, all of which bring energetic and hilarious game moments to any game night.

Can board games also be educational for teens?

Absolutely! Games like Scrabble enhance vocabulary, while Clue promotes logical and critical thinking skills, providing both fun and learning in each session for teens.

Which board games can high schoolers and younger kids play together?

Board games like Candy Land, Monopoly, and Double Ditto have simple rules and engaging themes, making them enjoyable for both high schoolers and younger kids during family game night.

How do you make board games engaging for teens during family gatherings?

Choose board games that are interactive, involve a bit of friendly competition, and include elements of surprise and strategy to keep teens invested and entertained during family game night.

Are there board games that high schoolers can play in large groups?

Yes! Games like Codenames, which offer team play, and Exploding Kittens Party Edition, designed for larger groups, are ideal for high schoolers looking for fun with more friends.

What makes a board game a hit among teens?

Board games that blend so much fun, suspense, and a pinch of competition, like Exploding Kittens and Double Ditto, tend to become hits among high schoolers, providing chuckles and excitement in every round.

Can board games enhance social skills in high schoolers?

Absolutely! Engaging in board games can facilitate improved communication, cooperation, and healthy competition among teens, contributing to enhancing their social skills while ensuring family fun.

How can parents encourage high schoolers to participate in board game nights?

To make board games for teens appealing, parents can include their teens’ favorite games, offer snacks, and perhaps introduce a small reward system to inject additional excitement and enthusiasm into game night.

How to organize a board game tournament for high schoolers?

A board game tournament for teens can involve selecting a few popular board games, establishing clear rules, forming teams, and perhaps offering prizes, ensuring an exhilarating time for all high schoolers involved.

Are classic board games still popular among high schoolers?

Yes, classic board games like Monopoly and Clue often remain a hit due to their timeless appeal, easy-to-grasp rules, and the nostalgic charm they bring to the playing board.

• previous post: Throwback Fun: The Best 90s Board Games Still a Hit Today!
• next post: The Best Board Games for Kindergarten Kids which Develop Skills

7 Fun Mystery Activities For High Schoolers

Ahoy there, mystery enthusiasts! Are you ready to dive into the world of intrigue, riddles, and clues? If so, then you’re in for a treat! For high schoolers, mystery activities are a fantastic way to exercise the brain, challenge your problem-solving skills, and most importantly, have a blast! 

Whether you’re a budding detective, or just enjoy the thrill and adrenaline rush out of solving mysteries, these mystery activities are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. At the same time, who doesn’t have the point of having some fun in the last years of school on their bucket lists ? So, let’s lace up our Sherlock Holmes boots, don our magnifying glasses, and get ready to crack some cases!

Enthralling mystery activities for high school students

Did you just indulge in a career exploration activity, and discover that all you wish to be in life is a detective, or have something to do with solving mysteries? Well, then here are a bunch of activities especially curated for you, to help you navigate through the adventures of mystery: 

1. Mysterious Artifacts

Get ready for a journey like no other as you embark on the ultimate quest for “The Mysterious Artefacts!” This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers to use their analytical skills, creativity, and curiosity to uncover the secrets of some of the world’s most fascinating relics.

Each student will be given an artifact to research and analyze, delving into its history, origins, and purpose. They will explore the artifact’s cultural significance, examine its intricate details, and search for hidden meanings and symbols. With the help of cutting-edge technology and research resources, students will be able to uncover the mysteries of their artifacts and uncover their place in history.

The Mysterious Artefacts activity is more than just a research project. It’s an adventure through time, a journey through history, and a quest for knowledge. Whether you’re a history buff, a puzzle-solver, or just looking for a challenge, this activity is guaranteed to engage, inspire, and amaze you. So gather your classmates, sharpen your minds, and get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!

2. Mystery Book Club

Step into the world of mystery and intrigue with the “Mystery Book Club” experience! This activity is designed to bring high schoolers on a journey through the thrilling world of mystery novels and to challenge their critical thinking and deduction skills.

Students will start by reading a classic mystery novel, such as “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Arthur Conan Doyle. They will delve into the plot, characters, and themes, exploring the motivations and suspects, and discussing their theories and observations with their classmates.

It can also feature interactive simulations, virtual reality adventures, and live actors, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience. So why not gather your book club, sharpen your minds, and get ready to solve the mystery of the century!

3. Cold Case Investigation

Uncover the truth and solve the mystery with the “Cold Case Investigation” experience! This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers to use their critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills to unravel the secrets of real-life cold cases.

Students will be presented with a real-life cold case, such as a missing person case, or an unsolved theft case. They will have access to a wealth of information and resources, including police reports, witness statements, and other evidence. Using this information, they will work together in teams to research and investigate the case, analyzing the facts and developing their own theories.

This experience is unlike any other, featuring interactive simulations, virtual reality adventures, and live actors, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience. So why not gather your team, sharpen your skills, and get ready to solve the case of the century!

4. Mystery Guest Speaker

Gear up for a mystery-filled adventure with the “Mystery Guest Speaker” experience! This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers’ critical thinking and deduction skills in a unique and engaging way.

Invite a mysterious guest speaker to address the class, and let the guessing game begin! The guest speaker will arrive incognito, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, and the students will be tasked with using their critical thinking and deduction skills to determine their identity and purpose.

As the guest speaker presents their talk, the students will be on high alert, analyzing their mannerisms, speech patterns, and background information. They will work together in teams, exchanging information and observations, and using their deduction skills to unravel the mystery.

5. Mystery Tour

Uncover the hidden secrets and legends of your school or community with the “Mystery Tour” experience! This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers to use their research, creativity, and communication skills in a unique and engaging way.

Students will plan and lead a mystery tour of their school or community, introducing visitors to the history, legends, and mysteries of the area. They will conduct research, gathering information and uncovering hidden gems and obscure facts about the location.

The students will use their creativity and communication skills to craft a captivating and educational experience, highlighting the hidden secrets and intriguing stories of the area. The tour will feature interactive simulations, virtual reality adventures, and live actors, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for the visitors.

The Mystery Tour is a great way for students to showcase their research and communication skills, as well as to engage with the community and share their knowledge of the area. So why not gather your classmates, sharpen your research skills, and get ready to take your visitors on a journey through the unknown!

6. Mystery Writing Workshop

Unleash your inner detective and put your creativity and imagination to the test with the “Mystery Story Writing” experience! This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers to develop their writing and storytelling skills in a unique and engaging way.

Each student will have the opportunity to write their own mystery story, complete with unique and interesting characters, settings, and plots. They will have the chance to let their imaginations run wild, and craft a captivating tale that will keep their peers on the edge of their seats.

After the stories are written, students will have the opportunity to share their work with the class for peer review and feedback. This is a great opportunity for students to receive constructive criticism and suggestions, as well as to get a sense of what works and what doesn’t in their stories. This activity is a fun and creative way for students to develop their writing and storytelling skills, and showcase their talents to their classmates. 

7. Secret Society Scavenger Hunt

Embark on an epic journey with the “Cryptic Scavenger Hunt” experience! This activity will challenge high schoolers to use their critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity skills in a thrilling and engaging way.

Students will be divided into teams and given a series of cryptic clues that lead them to different locations within the school. Each clue will test their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as they work together to uncover the next location. The final clue will lead them to the secret society meeting place, where they will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and teamwork skills.

This activity is a fun and creative way for students to work together, showcase their skills, and develop a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

So why not gather your team, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and get ready to embark on an epic journey through the halls of your school! The secret society meeting place awaits!

In conclusion, mystery activities are a truly exceptional way for high schoolers to flex their mental muscles, exercise their critical thinking skills, and experience the thrill of the unknown. Hence, these can be great life-skill activities too. Whether you’re a seasoned detective, a first-time problem solver, or simply looking for a new adventure, these mystery activities are guaranteed to provide hours of fun and excitement. From challenging escape rooms to captivating murder mysteries, there’s a mystery experience waiting for everyone.

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

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