Islands and Bridges Puzzles

 


NEW! Islands and Bridges puzzles are also known as "hashi" puzzles or just "bridges". They are a logic puzzle so children will need to put their thinking caps on, but once you've learned the rules they are quite straightforward to do - and very addictive! We love doing them, so decided to create the child-friendly version you see below. Scroll down to find out more about Islands and Bridges Puzzles and read how to do them online, or jump straight to the printables.

Printable puzzles in colour and black and white

All our Islands and Bridges puzzles come as printable pdfs. Each pdf is a set of 4 puzzles - because doing 1 just isn't enough! Each set comes in colour (best for kids) and black and white (best for adults). You can also download solutions for each set, also in colour and black and white. We've kept the solutions as a separate pdf so as not to tempt you to peek too soon!

What do I need to do the puzzles?

You will need a pencil and a rubber (eraser). If you are using the colour puzzles with children, you might want to laminate the pages or place them inside a plastic sleeve and use a dry-wipe pen to complete them. They are a great way to keep kids busy on journeys, rainy afternoons etc - and if you do them this way you can use the same puzzles over and over again.

Difficulty levels

Sets 1 to 5 are the easiest puzzles. Sets 6-10 will be slightly more challenging.Sets 11-15 will be more challenging still. And so on. We suggest that Sets 1 to 5 are suitable for children from around the age of 8, although younger children may enjoy tackling the puzzles once they understand the rules.


How to do Islands and Bridges Puzzles

Connect the islands (the circles) by drawing bridges between them according to the following rules:

1. Bridges must travel between two islands in straight lines.

This is allowed:

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions example 2 - right

This is not allowed!

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions example 1 - wrong

2. Bridges must not cross other bridges or islands.

This is allowed:

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions example 2 - right

This is not allowed!

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions example 2 - wrong

3. There can be no more than 2 bridges between a pair of islands.

Two bridges are allowed:

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions example 3 - right

Three bridges are not!

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions example 3 - wrong

4. Bridges can only run horizontally or vertically.

These bridges are allowed:

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions example 4 - right

This diagonal bridge is not allowed!

5. The number of bridges to and from each island must match the number on the island.

If you count the number of bridges from each island, they will match the number on the island, like this:

These numbers don't match!

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions example 5 - wrong

6. When all the bridges are drawn, you must be able to travel between all the islands.

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions example 6 - right

Here is a hint: start by looking for the islands that only have one bridge. In this example, there is only one place that the bridge can go.

Islands and Bridges Puzzles instructions hint

Our Islands and Bridges Puzzles Printables

(More sets coming soon!)

Islands and Bridges Puzzle Instructions

Islands and Bridges Puzzle Instructions

Once you understand the "rules" of how to tackle our Island and Bridges (or "hashi") puzzles, they are straightforward to do - just requiring logic and a bit of patience to work them out. We love these puzzles and hope that you do too.

Islands and Bridges Puzzle Instructions - Large

Islands and Bridges Puzzle Instructions - Large

Learn how to do our Island and Bridges puzzles - they are great fun, and fantastic for developing thinking skills in kids. This set of printable instructions has larger images so is perfect for whiteboard or front-of-room explanations and display.

Islands and Bridges Puzzles Set 1

Islands and Bridges Puzzles Set 1

There are 4 Islands and Bridges puzzles (also called hashi puzzles) in this printable set, which comes as a fun colour version as well as simple black and white (more suitable for adults, perhaps).

Islands and Bridges Puzzles Set 2

Islands and Bridges Puzzles Set 2

Here are 4 more Islands and Bridges puzzles for you to print and puzzle over! Draw the bridges between the islands according to the rules of the game. These puzzles are also known as "hashi" puzzles and we have two versions of this set to choose from - either colour or black and white.

Islands and Bridges Puzzles Set 3

Islands and Bridges Puzzles Set 3

Enjoy 4 more of our fun logic "Islands and Bridges" puzzles, also known as "Bridges" or "Hashi" puzzles. You can choose between coloured printables (best for kids) and black and white printables (best for adults).

Islands and Bridges Puzzles set 4

Islands and Bridges Puzzles Set 4

Have a go at another 4 Islands and Bridges puzzles in this printable set 4. Choose from colour and black and white versions of the puzzles and solutions, and use your logic skills to complete the puzzles - which are great for developing children's thinking skills.

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