10 Effective and Fun Ways to Build Problem-Solving Skills

Problem solving for preschoolers can be achieved by using everyday moments to demonstrate problem-solving techniques. In fact, this can be more helpful than reading a “how to” book or doing an assignment. Instead, using every day activities like going to the grocery store, driving in the car, making dinner at home, and cleaning the house to present your child with decisions related to problem-solving.

Here are a few small, daily moments to help children apply their problem solving skills in meaningful ways through everyday routines:

• Ask your child to put ingredients away in the pantry while you cook.
• Involve them at the grocery store by asking which aisle a certain item might be in.
• When there’s a mess of toys or supplies, encourage them to decide where items should go before starting a new activity.

Children won’t always have an adult nearby to guide them through every challenge. Giving kids the opportunity to think through and suggest their own solutions helps build confidence and encourages independence from a young age.

Here are ways children learn take the lead in solving their own problems:

• If a toy stops working, ask, “What do you think we could try to fix it?”
• When something doesn’t go their way, say, “What can we do differently next time?”
• Instead of offering an immediate fix, pause and ask, “What’s another way we could handle this?”

Problem solving for preschoolers can be achieved by incorporating mathematical skills. Mathematical thinking helps kids learn how to approach problems logically and systematically. Even at a young age, math activities can be a fun way to help toddlers achieve an understanding of complex problem solving techniques, including sequencing, comparison, and solution-based reasoning.

Here are simple ways to build problem-solving through math:

• Use building blocks to explore patterns, sizes, and symmetry.
• Play “Which one doesn’t belong?” using shapes or objects.
• Try age-appropriate word problems or counting games during playtime.

Asking open-ended questions is a great way to encourage problem solving for preschoolers. This prompts children to think critically rather than give yes-or-no answers. This method helps them explore different possibilities and strengthens their decision-making process.

Use open-ended questions during everyday instances like these:

• “What do you think would happen if we tried it this way?”
• “How could we make this work better next time?”
• “What’s another way to solve this problem?”

Games are one of the most effective ways to practice problem solving for preschoolers. Puzzles, board games, and logic toys allow children to work within boundaries while learning persistence and patience.

Try incorporating these activities at home or in the classroom:

• Offer jigsaw puzzles with a few missing pieces and let them figure out what’s missing.
• Play simple board games that require turn-taking and following rules.
• Try matching or sequencing games that encourage trial and error.

Books and stories help children explore how others solve problems, make decisions, and express feelings. They also spark imagination and empathy—key components of collaborative problem solving.

Use stories to encourage reflective thinking with activities like:

• Pause during a book and ask, “What would you do in this situation?”
• After reading, talk about how the character solved a problem and if there were other possible solutions.
• Invite your child to tell their own story with a beginning, middle, and a “problem” they solve.

Learning to recognize and express emotions is essential for resolving conflict and overcoming frustration. By giving your child the words to describe how they feel, you help them respond calmly rather than act out.

Support emotional awareness and problem solving with these moments:

• When they’re upset, ask, “Can you tell me what made you feel that way?”
• Offer phrases like, “It’s okay to feel sad. What can help us feel better right now?”
• Encourage your child to use feeling words when explaining a problem with another child.

Children often mirror the behavior of the adults around them. By calmly working through challenges in front of them, you’re showing how respectful communication, flexibility, and persistence lead to real solutions.

You can model problem-solving during moments like:

• Explaining why you’re returning an item to a store and how you’ll handle it.
• Letting your child hear you say, “That didn’t work—let’s try something else.”
• Narrating your thought process aloud, like “I’m figuring out how to fix this so it works better.”

Big tasks can feel overwhelming to young children. Teaching them how to break things down into smaller, manageable parts gives them a sense of control and progress.

Practice this method using everyday responsibilities to encourage problem solving for preschoolers:

• Turn “clean your room” into steps: books first, then toys, then clothes.
• Break down getting dressed: pick a shirt, then pants, then socks.
• Create a visual chart showing each step of a daily routine.

Children are naturally more engaged when learning involves their favorite topics or toys. You can use these interests as an entry point for teaching problem-solving techniques in creative, meaningful ways.

Encourage critical thinking by tapping into their passions:

• If your child loves animals, ask, “How do you think birds find food in the winter?”
• Use pretend play to act out a scenario with a challenge they need to solve.
• Turn a fascination with mail trucks, dinosaurs, or colors into a mini “research project” where they ask questions and find answers together with you.