Challenge kids to use their problem solving skills with this odd ball reasoning activity.  Start with 10 items in the center of a table, take one or two items at a time but don’t take the last one!

What is a reasoning Activity

A reasoning activity is any activity that asks you to use critical thinking and foresight skills to develop a solution to a problem. Some classic examples of reasoning activities include, tic-tac-toe and chess.

While one of these examples requires more in-depth reasoning they both require critical thinking and forethought. To learn more about the benefits of reasoning activities check out mathgeekmama.com’s article “How to Raise Logical Thinkers and Why it Matters.”

Supplies for Odd ball reasoning activity

• 10 paperclips, rocks, pennies, any object
• 1 friend

​How to; Odd Ball Reasoning Activity

Place all ten objects in the center of the table.  Then, you and a friend will take turns taking one or two objects at a time.  The object of the game is to not take the last object. This simple logic and reasoning activity will have kids loving problem solving.

Sample Explanation:
There are ten paper clips on the table
    Player 1 takes 2 paper clips
There are eight paper clips on the table
    Player 2 takes 2 paper clips
There are six paper clips on the table
    Player 1 takes 1 paper clip
There are five paper clips on the table
    Player 2 takes 1 paper clip
There are four paper clips on the table
    Player 1 takes 1 paper clips
There are two paper clips left on the table
    Player 2 takes 1 paper clip
There is 1 paper clip on the table so player 1 must take it making player 2 the winner!

What’s Next?

If you like this odd ball reasoning activity you may also like, Shisima. This fun printable reasoning game from Kenya is easy to make and fun to play!