Read what people are saying about Solving Fun!
Solving Fun Buzz
"The City of Palo Alto was looking to add community events and Solving Fun was the perfect fit! Solving Fun helped our residents explore Palo Alto in ways they never have. The family fun puzzles helped the community get out and explore ton of parks and open spaces in Palo Alto. The puzzles are creative and create a perfect challenge to keep families engaged all month long. Family after family reported having a great time and look forward to the month-long event every year. If you’re looking for family fun, Solving Fun is for you!"
-Adam Howard, Sr. Community Services Manager, Recreation
Watch the video to hear Kori Johnson from Safe Routes National Partnership talk about Solving Fun
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In honor of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and Day of Dialogue, which is celebrated annually on November 14th, SMCOE SRTS and Solving Fun joined forces to create a special puzzle book designed specifically for the thousands of students, grades K-6, in San Mateo County Schools. We couldn't be happier with the results of this partnership. Solving Fun has proven to be an outstanding collaborator throughout this project. They worked diligently to create a custom puzzle book that not only entertains but also educates our students about Ruby Bridges and safety. The content has been thoughtfully designed and appropriately leveled for students in various grade levels, ensuring that the puzzles are both engaging and age-appropriate. One of the highlights of this puzzle book is inclusivity. It is written in both Spanish and English, making it accessible to a wider audience of students and promoting diversity and inclusion in our educational materials. We believe that this puzzle book will not only serve as a fun and educational activity for students but will also help raise awareness about Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, a significant event that continues to inspire and remind us of the importance of equal access to education. It is written in both Spanish and English."
- Theresa Vallez-Kelly, Safe Routes to School Coordinator
“This was one of the best activities our family has participated in. I am eternally grateful for City of Palo Alto and Solving Fun for helping us get our two teenage daughters off screens and outside. We solved the puzzles together and we biked to the parks to find the clues together. Thanks for giving us a very enjoyable month of family weekend activities. I am quite sad that it came to an end and will look forward to next year's edition!” -Wen
“I had a terrific time puzzling with my family! I realize this is targeted at kids, but we adults had a blast! The hunt got us up and moving and helped us appreciate Palo Alto in new ways. Thank you so much!!” - Julia
“Thank you sooooooo very much for organizing this. We enjoyed this event as a family and each of us worked on it. We biked to every single park (except Byxbee) and that really helped us discover Palo Alto like we never knew before. Since we also biked and walked we got a chance to talk to many people in the neighborhood who often wondered what we were up to :). That facilitated so many lovely conversations with our wonderful residents. It was truly a community building exercise. This is the best thing a city has ever done. And the puzzles were crafted so brilliantly that the joy of solving each was immense. We looked forward to receiving puzzles every week. Kudos to Solving Fun and our lovely Palo Alto city!! All of us really look forward to more of these. You are all awesome” - B Nell
“We thoroughly enjoyed the entire hunt, especially how the final puzzle tied everything together. The moment I figured out "under large turtle" by applying week 1, 2, 3's final answers to "over glare purple" I felt like a genius. The earlier puzzles were approachable too, giving us just the right amount of challenge. We can't wait to join the next puzzle hunt!” - Yue and Qing
“What a fantastic idea! This is my favorite activity so far ever of having lived in the area for over 10 years. I wish it was around earlier! Well done.” - April
We're excited to be chosen for Tiny Bean's holiday gift guide
"These games are great for all kids. They keep kids engaged in thinking - and off screens!"
"My son had the pleasure to game test these and continues to enjoy them. Super fun puzzle packs. Great while you're trapped at home to get your kids brains going in a super fun way."
"With school being a bit iffy this kind of fun learning can really be helpful."
"Thanks for the session! My daughter had a ball. Adult puzzles have been too hard in the past."
"Solving fun is exactly what the name implies, a fun way to learn and or teach problem solving skills across a myriad of subjects: math, science, reading comprehension, history and more. It makes learning and applying that learning FUN!"
"I loved the greater than less than puzzles. It made me feel like a math expert. That was so fun!" --Brooke
"Did time just fast forward?"
-- Mattias
PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Palo Verde Elementary 5th Grade
"Solving Fun has created a safe environment for all learners to do hard work. Their puzzles are fun, creative, challenging, and accessible. The language they use to encourage all learners inspires students to think critically throughout the time that they are with Hillary and Marcy, as well as when they are working outside of the Solving Fun sessions. Their approach with students is to encourage perseverance, resilience, and to embrace trial and error. They teach the kids how to be supportive of each other in their sessions as well. I have been so grateful for Solving Fun for being willing to see past the challenges of teaching puzzling in a pandemic as well as encouraging students to be their own personal best."
-- Jenn, 5th grade teacher
UP ACADEMY
"My students loved our sessions with Solving Fun. Hillary and Marcy met my students at their just-right level academically and it was great to watch my students have fun growing their literacy and numeracy skills through puzzle solving and games. Even more impressive, was watching them grow as teammates and collaborators. Solving Fun is a great addition to any math, literacy, or social-emotional learning classroom!"
-- Alexandra, elementary teacher
San Mateo, CA
PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Palo Verde Elementary 3rd Grade
"We were lucky to have Solving Fun time during online learning each week. My students were totally engaged in the problem solving fun. They challenged themselves, were willing to try new things and take risks with their thinking and had lots of fun engaging in the different activities. They always looked forward to trying the new puzzles, games and activities."
--Teri, 3rd grade teacher
PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School Connections Program
"Solving fun is exactly what the name implies, a fun way to learn and or teach problem solving skills across a myriad of subjects: math, science, reading comprehension, history and more. It makes learning and applying that learning FUN!"
