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Movies Night Zebra Puzzle

Four boys are at home to watch some movies. Figure out what each boy's favorite kind of movie is.

 
  • Shirt
  • Name
  • Movie
  • Snack
  • Age
Boy #1 #1
Boy #2 #2
Boy #3 #3
Boy #4 #4
  • Joshua is at one of the ends.
  • The boy wearing the Black shirt is somewhere to the left of the youngest boy.
  • Joshua likes Horror movies.
  • The 14-year-old boy is at the third position.
  • The boy wearing the Red shirt is somewhere between the 13-year-old boy and the one who likes Action movies, in that order.
  • Daniel likes Thriller movies.
  • The boy who is going to eat Cookies is at one of the ends.
  • The boy wearing the Black shirt is exactly to the left of the one who likes Thriller movies.
  • The boy who is going to eat Crackers is exactly to the right of the boy who likes Comedy movies.
  • The boy wearing the Red shirt is somewhere between the boy who is going to eat Popcorn and Nicholas, in that order.
  • At one of the ends is the boy who likes Thriller movies.
  • Nicholas is somewhere between Joshua and Daniel, in that order.
  • At the first position is the boy wearing the Green shirt.

How to play

  • Start by reading all the clues;
  • Find all the "basic" clues and mark them. The most basic clue is the one that states that something is in a determined house/position. Example:
    • The German lives in house three.
  • Sometimes you are going to need to deduce some information using two or more clues;
  • All the clues must be used;
  • The game ends when all the clues are correctly checked and everything is filled.

More Zebra Puzzles

See our zebra puzzles list.

Need help?

If, after reading the instructions, you still don't understand how to play, try playing one of these simpler zebra puzzles. They were designed to be easier than the ones of the same difficulty.

Printable version

You can download the PDF version of this zebra puzzle.

Visit our Printable Zebra Puzzles page to download and print other Zebra Puzzles.

Cognitive Benefits of Zebra Puzzles

Zebra puzzles engage the brain in critical thinking and deductive reasoning. Solving these puzzles often requires the individual to interpret clues, make connections, and eliminate possibilities to arrive at the correct solution. This mental exercise not only sharpens logical reasoning skills but also improves focus, attention to detail, and analytical abilities.

Various studies on cognition and puzzles suggest that regular engagement with challenges like Zebra puzzles can have longer-term benefits. They can potentially aid in the enhancement of problem-solving skills and may even contribute to improved memory and information retention. In summary, Zebra puzzles offer an effective way to engage cognitive functions and foster intellectual growth.

Zebra Puzzles in Education

Zebra puzzles are increasingly being incorporated into educational settings as a tool for teaching logic and reasoning skills. Teachers and educators find these puzzles to be useful in engaging students in active learning, as they require students to apply critical thinking to solve complex problems. The puzzles can be adapted to various difficulty levels, making them accessible for students of different ages and abilities. They can be used as stand-alone exercises or integrated into a broader curriculum focused on mathematics, logic, or computer science.

Beyond the classroom, Zebra puzzles are also used in educational competitions and extracurricular activities to challenge students and encourage teamwork. The process of solving these puzzles collaboratively can help students learn to communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and think systematically. This hands-on approach to learning can make complex concepts more understandable and engaging, thereby enriching the educational experience.

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