Improving Kids’ Problem-Solving Skills

Problem solving is a key part of life, from solving a tricky math problem to resolving a disagreement. Learning how to overcome challenges is one of the most important skills kids will learn as they grow. Starting to build these skills early on can help their development across many other areas including emotional, physical, analytical, and more.

Kids are naturally curious and eager to explore, experiment, and find their own solutions. But while kids have an incredible capacity for learning, they also need guidance, encouragement, and the right environment to grow. As parents and caregivers, there’s a lot we can do to support them on this journey – and make it fun at the same time!

What’s in this blog? 

• What are Problem-Solving Skills? 
• The Importance of Problem-Solving Skills 
• The Problem-Solving Process  
• Problem-Solving Skills by Age  
• Problem-Solving Skill Activities 
• Frequently Asked Questions  

What are Problem-Solving Skills?

Problem-solving skills are the tools we use to overcome a challenge or obstacle. These are the ways in which we find solutions when we face challenges, big or small. Whether it’s figuring out how to share a toy, deciding what to do when plans change, or getting stuck on a puzzle, problem solving helps kids think clearly, stay calm, and choose the best possible solution.

Problem solving is something we all use every day, and the more we practice it, the better we get at handling whatever life throws our way.

The Importance of Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills are vital in kids’ development because they form the foundation for so many other essential abilities.

When kids learn to tackle challenges, they’re also sharpening their critical thinking: breaking down tough tasks, weighing options, and making smart choices.

This same process fuels their creativity, encouraging them to explore new ideas, dream up unique solutions, and stay curious and inventive. Our guide on creative activities for kids and families provides some great ways to boost creativity and practice problem solving.

Solving problems even boosts emotional intelligence: children learn to understand, express, and manage feelings as they navigate disappointment, frustration, or success.  And when it comes to emotions, the LEGO® “Brick Bowl” technique (using a bowl of bricks to build and talk) – offers an effective way for kids to explore complex feelings, making it easier to open up and communicate through play. 

The Problem-Solving Process

Problem solving helps us stay calm, think clearly, and make good choices when we’re trying to figure something out. With a few easy steps, kids can feel more confident solving problems and even learn something new along the way!

Step 1: Identify the Problem

The first step is to understand what the problem is. This means stopping to think, “What exactly is going wrong?” or “What challenge needs to be overcome?”. Encourage kids to work out what the main issue is. If they are struggling, try pointing them in the right direction by asking them questions about what they are feeling or where their frustration might be. Once they’ve found the problem, it’s easier to find a solution.

Example 1: I forgot to bring my homework to school. 

Example 2: My LEGO® build broke before I finished it.

Step 2: Gather Information

Next, find out any details they need to better understand the situation. This might include asking questions, talking to other people, or looking at what solutions have already been tried. The more kids know about the issue, the better their chances of solving the problem!

Example 1: Is it due today? Does the teacher accept late work? Do I have time to redo it at school?

Example 2: Which part broke? Are any pieces missing? Can I remember how it was put together? 

Step 3: Generate Possible Solutions

Now it’s time to think of different ways to fix the problem. For example, there's usually more than one idea that could work, so it’s a good idea to be creative at this stage and come up with a few options before choosing one.

Example 1: I could tell the teacher what happened, ask if I can bring it tomorrow, or redo it quickly before class starts.  

Example 2: I could rebuild it the same way, change the design a little, or look at the instructions again.

Step 4: Evaluate and Choose Solutions  

After listing possible ideas, we look at the pros and cons of each. Which solution is most likely to work? Which one is fair or safe? Picking the best option means thinking about what will lead to the best outcome. 

Example 1: Telling the teacher right away and asking if I can bring it tomorrow is honest and the right thing to do. 

Example 2: Looking at the instructions will help me rebuild it the right way and avoid mistakes. 

Step 5: Implement the Solution 

Now it’s time to take action. Let kids try out the chosen solution and see how it works. It’s okay if it’s not perfect! What matters is giving it a try.

Example 1: I’ll explain to the teacher what happened and ask if I can bring it in tomorrow. 

Example 2: I’ll find the instructions and rebuild the broken part step by step.

Step 6: Review and Reflect 

After trying a solution, it’s important to think about how it went. Did it fix the problem? Could they have done something differently? Reflecting helps kids learn and do even better next time.

Example 1: The teacher said it was okay this time, but I need to be more careful. Next time, I’ll doublecheck I have it before leaving. 

Example 2: It worked! Next time, I’ll build on a flat surface so it doesn’t fall over. 

Problem-Solving Skills by Age

These skills develop as kids grow, influenced by their brains developing, physical abilities and experiences. While the complexity of problems changes as kids get older, the core ability to think and experiment begins in toddler years and continues to develop through childhood and adolescence.

Let’s take a look at some of the milestones and skills that kids typically develop as they get older!

Toddlers (Ages 2-3)

During this stage, milestones for 2‑year‑olds and 3-year-olds often involve movement, play, and interaction. Problem solving happens through hands-on experiences and observation. 

• Movement & motor skills: Toddlers begin running, jumping, and climbing and testing their physical limits. This helps them learn how to find physical solutions to problems.  
• Life skills & independence: Lots of toddlers want to do things on their own (dressing, helping with chores). This encourages trial and error to figure out how tasks are completed. 
• Language & communication: Their vocabulary is expanding! They might even start forming short sentences, improving their ability to ask for help and collaborate.   
• Imagination & social play: Toddlers may begin role-playing and interacting more with others. Easy-to-handle sets like LEGO® DUPLO® encourage creativity and fine motor development. This builds creativity in finding solutions during play.  

Preschoolers (Ages 4-5)

During the preschool years, kids are becoming more curious, independent, and social. Play is still a big part of learning, but now it often includes more rules, more imagination, and more teamwork.

• Critical thinking: Preschoolers start to solve simple puzzles, understand cause and effect and make predictions. This helps kids identify patterns and choose solutions.  
• Social problem solving: They begin to share, negotiate, and take turns with others, which teaches compromise and conflict resolution. 
• Creative thinking: They will start to pretend-play and role-play scenarios. This encourages thinking outside the box to create new solutions. 
• Language & storytelling: They’ll retell stories, narrate events, ask “why” questions, which strengthens communication skills for solving problems.

Early School/Elementary (Ages 6-8)

In the early school years, kids are building confidence in their thinking skills and starting to see how ideas fit together. Friendships, rules, and teamwork all become bigger parts of daily life, giving them the chance to practice problem solving in real-world situations.

• Logical reasoning: Kids this age will begin to understand basic math concepts, categorize, and recognize patterns, helping develop systematic thinking for finding answers. 
• Understanding rules: They will start following rules and understanding fairness, which teaches how these rules can guide solutions. 
• Teamwork: Kids start to collaborate with classmates on projects and games. This builds skills for solving problems in group settings.

Middle Childhood (Ages 9-12)

Kids aged 9-12 are starting to think in more complex ways and see the bigger picture. They can juggle different possibilities, understand other people’s points of view, and take on more responsibility in their daily lives.

• Abstract thinking: Kids this age will begin understanding ‘what if’ scenarios, which allows for exploring more than one possible solution.
• Empathy in problem solving: They’ll likely start considering others’ feelings and perspectives. This leads to more fair and effective resolutions.
• Independence: Kids will start to manage homework, chores, and time more responsibly. This teaches self-reliance in identifying and fixing problems.

Teens (Ages 13+)

The teen years bring big growth in thinking, planning, and self-awareness. Teens start to question ideas, explore different perspectives, and think through the pros and cons before making decisions.

• Critical analysis: Teens will start looking at evidence, question things, and debate viewpoints, which helps them really think things through before landing on a solution.
• Long-term planning: They’ll probably start setting their sights on future goals, whether that’s school, careers, or personal dreams, which helps them think ahead and tackle challenges before they pop up.
• Self-reflection: Teens will begin to assess personal strengths, weaknesses, and decision-making processes, which improves problem solving by learning from past experiences.

Problem-Solving Skill Activities

To help your child grow their problem-solving superpowers, we’ve put together a collection of simple, hands-on games and tasks that make great fun family activities. These ideas are designed to boost creativity and give them the confidence to tackle challenges from an early age.

“Rescue the Toy” Box

Toddlers become tiny problem solvers as they work to free their favorite toys from a gently wrapped box. Every lift, pull, and shake helps them explore, experiment, and celebrate their success.  

Choose a small box or container.

• Place a few of your toddler’s favorite toys inside. 
• Gently wrap or tuck the toys in with lightweight cloths, soft paper, or scarves. 
• Close the lid loosely or cover the top with something easy to remove. 
• Have your toddler “rescue” the toys from the box. 
• Let them figure out how to open the box and remove the layers. 
• Encourage them as they lift, pull, shake, or reach to get the toys. 

Build the Tallest Tower

In this challenge, kids use building blocks to create the tallest tower they can dream up. This activity gives them the chance to experiment with shapes, test their ideas, and discover what makes a structure steady. This is a great problem-solving activity for preschool and elementary school kids.

• Gather building materials, like LEGO® DUPLO® bricks. 
• Challenge your child to build the tallest tower they can. 
• Suggest trying different base shapes for stability. Talk about what makes the tower stronger or weaker. 
• Celebrate what they create, no matter how wobbly!

Build a Bridge!

Ready to put those engineering skills to the test? In this hands-on challenge, kids become bridge builders, using everyday materials to design a structure strong enough for a toy car.

• Provide materials like paper, tape, cardboard, or LEGO® bricks. 
• Challenge your child to build a bridge that can hold a small toy car. 
• Test the bridge together. 
• If it collapses, encourage them to try again with changes. 
• Discuss what made the bridge stronger. 

Limited Bricks Challenge

In this task, kids work with only a small number of LEGO® bricks to create something amazing. This activity encourages them to think creatively, make the most of their resources, and adapt their ideas along the way.

• Gather a set number of LEGO® bricks (for example, 20 pieces). 
• Challenge your child to build anything they want using only those bricks. 
• Encourage them to plan before building and to think about how each piece could be used in different ways. 
• Ask questions about their design choices and how they overcame challenges. 

Move it!

This is a great activity for kids in middle childhood or teens. The aim is to get an object across the room without breaking the rules!

Whether it’s no hands, no talking, or no touching the floor, teams must get creative and work together to beat the challenge!