About the Sliding Puzzle
The board has numbered tiles and one empty space. You cannot pick tiles up, you can only slide them. Tap any tile that sits right next to the empty space, and it will slide into the gap. By sliding tiles around, work the numbers back into order, from 1 in the top left to the last number, with the empty space at the end. Fewer moves means a better result.
Tips for kids
Solve it one row at a time. Put the first row in order first, then the second row, and so on. On the bigger 4 by 4 board, finish the top rows and left columns before the rest. Go slowly and think about where the empty space needs to be before each slide.
Why it helps learning
The sliding puzzle builds patience, planning and spatial thinking. Children learn to plan several moves ahead and to keep a goal in mind, which are useful skills well beyond the game. Start with 3 by 3 and move up to 4 by 4 as it gets easier.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play the Sliding Puzzle?
The numbers are mixed up with one empty space. Tap a tile next to the empty space to slide it across. Keep sliding tiles until all the numbers are back in order from 1 to the end.
Is every puzzle solvable?
Yes. Each puzzle is made by shuffling from a solved board, so it can always be solved. Take your time and work one row at a time.
Is it free?
Yes. The sliding puzzle is free with no download and no sign-up, and it works on any device in your browser.