A

Project report on
“Maths Puzzle 4 Kids”
(A PUZZLE SOLVING APP MADE FOR CHILDREN)
For
Design Thinking Lab (HSMC-101)

Submitted by: Faculty Coordinator

Ayush Pharswan: PV-24190256 (Team Leader) Mr,Pankaj Negi
Pratham Dogra: PV-24180761
Priyanshu Sharma: PV-24180791
Shubhanshu Gairola: PV-24190344

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Graphic Era Hill University
Dehradun
Font : Times New Roman
Font Size : 12
Page Margin : Normal
Line Spacing : 1.20

Abstract
The development of “Maths Puzzle 4 Kids” App began with the conceptualization of an
engaging, educational tool aimed at children aged 5-10 to enhance their problem-solving
skills through math puzzles. The app's core purpose was to make learning enjoyable while
offering challenges that stimulate cognitive growth. Following this vision, the design process
focused on creating an intuitive interface that children could easily navigate. After
establishing the app’s core features, such as puzzle-solving tasks and progress tracking, the
team proceeded to the prototyping phase. This involved creating initial versions of the app,
incorporating diverse puzzle types, and implementing key features. Testing was conducted to
gather feedback on usability and effectiveness, ensuring that the app met its educational goals
while maintaining a fun and engaging experience for its young users. Children enjoy variety
of puzzles and the sense of achievement from tracking their progress, while also improving
their math skills in a playful environment.
 Contents
Sr. No Description Page No
1. Conceptualization of Project 04
2. Empathy 05
3. Defining the project 06
4. Ideation of the Project 07
5. Prototyping of Project 09
6. Conclusion 10
 Conceptualization
The idea for “Maths Puzzle 4 Kids” App started when we noticed that many children find
math boring or difficult. Teachers and parents shared that kids often struggle to enjoy math,
and they don’t feel motivated to practice. Research also showed that children learn better when
they are engaged in fun, interactive activities. With this information, we decided to create an
app that would make learning math fun and exciting by using puzzles. The goal was to help
kids develop problem-solving skills while enjoying the process, rather than feeling pressured
by traditional learning methods.

From this idea, we created the concept of “Maths Puzzle 4 Kids” as an app that offers different
math puzzles for kids aged 5 to 10. We wanted the app to be simple and easy to use, so children
could navigate it without frustration. The app would also include features like progress
tracking, so kids can see how much they’ve improved. We designed “Maths Puzzle 4 Kids”
to help kids learn math in a fun and relaxed way, motivating them to keep playing and learning
without the pressure of traditional schoolwork.
 Empathy
To better understand the needs of children when it comes to learning math, we took steps to
empathize with the challenges they face. We conducted surveys with teachers and parents to
identify common challenges, such as lack of motivation and difficulty with complex concepts.
We also reviewed articles and reports from educational websites, highlighting the importance
of problem-solving skills and how interactive learning helps children grasp math. The data
revealed that children learn best when engaged in fun, hands-on activities rather than traditional
lessons.

We also explored educational websites, forums, and app reviews to gather insights into what
makes learning enjoyable for kids. This research helped us identify features that would make
math puzzles more exciting and engaging. Sources like Edutopia, Common Sense Media, and
other educational blogs provided valuable information to guide the app’s design, ensuring it
would meet children's needs and make math learning fun.
 Define
❖ Problem:
Children aged 5-10 often face significant challenges when learning math, including:
o Lack of Motivation in Children: Children aged 5-10 often lack the motivation to
engage with math due to uninspiring methods.
o Difficulty in Grasping Complex Concepts: Many children struggle to understand
complex math concepts, which affect their confidence and progress.
o Limited Engagement with Traditional Methods: Traditional teaching methods are
often repetitive and fail to captivate children's interest in the subject.
o Frustration and Disinterest: Repetitive and uninspiring methods lead to frustration
and a general disinterest in math.
o Ineffective Educational Apps: Many existing educational apps fail to offer a fun and
interactive experience while promoting meaningful learning.
o Slow Progress and Reduced Problem-Solving Skills: Due to disengagement,
children often experience slower learning progress, and their problem-solving abilities
may not develop effectively.

❖ Need:
There is a clear need for an educational tool that makes math learning enjoyable, interactive,
and effective for children.
o Need for an Engaging Educational Tool: There is a need for an educational tool that
makes math enjoyable and effective for children.
o Interactive Math Puzzles: The app should offer a variety of math puzzles that
challenge children in an interactive and engaging way.
o Improvement of Problem-Solving Skills: The app should help children improve
their problem-solving skills through fun and challenging activities.
o Child-Friendly Interface: The app should have an easy-to-use, child-friendly
interface, making it simple for kids to navigate.
o Progress Tracking: It should feature progress tracking, allowing children and parents
to monitor learning growth over time.
o Motivation through Rewards: The app should maintain motivation by offering
rewards, such as badges or stars, for completing challenges.
o Adaptive Difficulty: The app should adjust the puzzle difficulty based on the child’s
skill level, ensuring an appropriate challenge.
o Fun and Skill-Building Experience: “Maths Puzzle 4 Kids” aims to provide a
platform that makes math learning fun while helping children build essential skills.
Ideation
Categorization of Data from Empathy Phase
In the empathy phase, we gathered a variety of data from surveys, research, and app reviews.
This data was categorized into three main themes:
1. Challenges in Learning Math: Difficulty in understanding math concepts, lack
of motivation, and low engagement with traditional learning methods.
2. Interactive Learning Preferences: Children respond better to hands-on,
interactive activities rather than passive learning (e.g., games, puzzles).
3. Parental and Teacher Insights: Teachers and parents want a tool that provides
clear progress tracking, encourages problem-solving, and keeps children
motivated with rewards.

Techniques Used for Ideation

To generate ideas for the app, we used several techniques:
1. Brainstorming: The team held multiple sessions to freely suggest ideas for
features, gameplay mechanics, and user interface designs.
2. Mind Mapping: We mapped out key themes such as motivation, puzzle
complexity, and progress tracking to visually organize and explore different
solutions.
3. Bingo Selection: A decision-making process where ideas were categorized into a
grid with "Bingo" cards, prioritizing the most impactful features based on
feasibility and user needs.

Suggestions Received for Development/Improvement

Several key suggestions were gathered during the ideation phase:
1. Progress Tracking: Feature to track progress, including completion of puzzles
and improvements over time.
2. Puzzle Variety: Offering a wide range of puzzles, such as number-based, logic
puzzles, and visual challenges, would keep kids engaged.
3. Interactive Rewards: Providing rewards like badges or stars for completing
puzzles would enhance motivation.
4. Adaptive Difficulty: Puzzles should adapt to the user’s skill level, increasing in
difficulty as they improve.
5. Child-Friendly Interface: A simple, intuitive interface with colorful elements
and easy navigation was highly recommended.
Categorization of Ideas Based on Viability and Feasibility
Ideas were categorized based on how viable and feasible they were to implement:

▪ High Viability & Feasibility:

o Simple, colorful interface
o Puzzle variety (math, logic, and visual puzzles)

▪ Moderate Viability & Feasibility:

o Adaptive difficulty (requires sophisticated algorithms)
o Progress tracking feature

▪ Low Viability & Feasibility:

o Interactive rewards system (needs to be engaging yet simple for kids)
o Complex multiplayer features (could complicate the app and make it harder
for kids to focus on individual learning)

Categorization Based on Bingo Selection

Using the Bingo selection method, we prioritized features into a grid of “Bingo cards,”
marking the most important elements:

1. Top Priority (Bingo 1):

o Progress tracking
o Puzzle variety
o Child-friendly, intuitive interface
2. Medium Priority (Bingo 2):
o Interactive rewards
o Adaptive difficulty
3. Low Priority (Bingo 3):
o Complex multiplayer features
Prototyping
 Conclusion:
1. Available Market and Affected Users
o Target Audience: “Maths Puzzle 4 Kids” app is designed for children aged
5-10, addressing the challenges they face in learning math. It also helps
parents and teachers seeking engaging tools for their children’s educational
development.
o Market Opportunity: The educational app market is rapidly growing, with
increasing demand for interactive and engaging learning tools. “Maths Puzzle
4 Kids” meets this demand by providing a fun and educational experience,
ensuring its relevance in the market.

2. Benefits of the App

o Improves Math Skills: The app helps children enhance their problem-solving
abilities and math skills through interactive puzzles.
o Engagement and Motivation: With features like progress tracking and
rewards, “Maths Puzzle 4 Kids” keeps children motivated, making learning
enjoyable.
o Child-Friendly Design: The simple, intuitive interface ensures that children
can easily navigate the app without frustration.

3. Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

o Fun and Educational Combination: Unlike other educational apps, “Maths
Puzzle 4 Kids” focuses on making learning math fun and engaging, using
puzzles to teach essential math skills.
o Adaptive Learning: The app adapts to each child's skill level, ensuring they
are always challenged but not overwhelmed.

4. Future Aspects of the Project

o Expansion of Features: Future updates could include more advanced math
concepts, multiplayer options, and even more engaging puzzles.
o Reward System: Features like badges and stars keep children motivated and
encourage continued learning.