Guess the Number {Number Logic Game}

Challenge kids to use logic to figure out the digits in a six-digit number. All you need is paper and some markers!

A couple weeks ago, Janie and I figured out how to play a number game using the same rules as Wordle. We decided to do a 6 digit number instead of a 5 digit word. There are fewer options for each blank (10 digits instead of 26 letters), so adding a 6th space made it just the right difficulty level.

Janie LOVED this game and played it with Dad when he got home from work! Definitely a win.

This number logic game is a super fun activity for math class, or it also makes a great game to play while waiting at the doctor’s office, waiting for siblings at an after-school activity, or anywhere else.

I would recommend this game for ages 8 and up, depending on the kid. It’s honestly fun for adults too.

Supplies Needed:

Paper
Pencil or black pen/marker
Green, orange, and gray markers or crayons

This game requires two players.

Setting up the game is super simple. Draw 6 dashes in a row. Then make 6 of these rows.

How to Play Guess the Number:

Player 1 thinks of a 6 digit number and writes it down.

Player 2 writes down a guess as to what the 6 digit number is.

Player 1 then marks player 2’s guess. If a digit is used in the 6 digit number AND it’s in the correct spot, circle it in GREEN.

If a digit is used in the solution, but it’s not in the correct spot, circle it in ORANGE.

If the digit is not used anywhere in the 6 digit number, circle it with GRAY.

In the photo above, the 4 is in the correct position. The 6 and 0 are circled in gray, so now we know that those numbers aren’t used at all. The 1, 9, and 5 are in fact used in the 6 digit number, but not in those positions.

Player 2 can now make another guess using the information gained from their first guess.

Play continues until player 2 figures out the number (or runs out of chances!)

If you put a comma in the number, you can use this game to practice place value.

This game does not inherently teach place value. However, you can play this game with a child and use place value as part of the conversation.

“Ahh, there is a 7 in the answer, but we know it’s not in the hundred thousands place.”

“You tried the 2 in the tens place and that wasn’t right, so where can you try it next time?”

Game Play Tips:

We found that players can consistently find the solution in 4-6 guesses unless an error in logic is made, such as guessing a “gray” number again or guessing a number in the same position twice.
Using the same digit more than once makes the game more difficult. For example, something like 633,762.
Players should not assume that a digit is used only once. If a number is circled in gray, then it is NOT used anywhere in the solution. If a number is circled in green or orange, it may or may not be used another time.
If a guess has three 5’s and there are only two in the solution, the other player should mark two of the 5’s with green or orange (whichever is appropriate) and then mark the third 5 with gray. This communicates that 5 is used twice.

The photo below shows how a game is marked when numbers are used more than once.