Help the robot crab reach the star. One arrow, one discovery!
Four missions to explore with an adult. Suggested ages: 5–7, with shared reading. No grade or timer. Discoveries from this visit disappear when you leave; they do not change track progress.
First, see an example
1→★2
The robot is on square 1. The → arrow moves it one square right: it reaches square 2. The starting square does not count as a step. Arrows point to the sides of the screen; they do not turn the robot.
Preparing the activity. Meanwhile, explore the example and guide below.
Start with one arrow or choose any mission. You can stop whenever you need.
1. One arrow, one action
Choose an arrow that takes the robot to the star.
1. Prepare the arrows
Select an arrow in the queue to change it. Then choose another direction or swap its position. Up to 8 arrows.
Choose the first arrow.
2. Where will the queue end?
Before testing, select a square on the board. That is your prediction, not a right or wrong answer.
Robot = start · Star = destination · Rock = do not cross
3. Test one arrow at a time
A clue
Find the robot and the star. Is the star above, below or beside it? Point before choosing an arrow.
The path we tested
✦
An idea you tested!
You tried all eight boards! Take a break. Later, invent a path on paper and explain how it works.
Guide for the grown-up
Read one instruction at a time. Ask the child to point to the start and star, predict, then test. If something differs, ask: ‘Which was the first arrow that did not do what you expected?’ Let the child try a change. They can explain by speaking, drawing or pointing; we do not record these responses.
After the screen: draw another board. Move the star and create a new queue. On another day, try explaining without copying the first solution.
Play on paper
Print the board and cards below, or draw them. Use a finger or a large drawing as the robot. An adult reads the arrows one at a time. Avoid small pieces. Compare with the worked example after trying.
Paper mission: robot on square 9, star on square 3 and rock on square 10. Try reaching the star without crossing the rock.
Guide for the grown-up
Read one instruction at a time. Ask the child to point to the start and star, predict, then test. If something differs, ask: ‘Which was the first arrow that did not do what you expected?’ Let the child try a change. They can explain by speaking, drawing or pointing; we do not record these responses.
After the screen: draw another board. Move the star and create a new queue. On another day, try explaining without copying the first solution.
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10⬟
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12
Robot = start · Star = destination · Rock = do not cross
↑Up
→Right
↓Down
←Left
↑Up
→Right
↓Down
←Left
One solution to check afterwards
↑ → ↑ →: 9 → 5 → 6 → 2 → 3. The robot goes around the rock on square 10. Other paths are possible; compare yours.
2. Order makes a difference
Robot on square 9, star on 6, rock on 10. Test → ↑; then use the same two arrows in a different order. What changed?
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3
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6★
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10⬟
11
12
One solution to check afterwards
↑ →: 9 → 5 → 6. The order → ↑ meets the rock on the very first move.
3. Count every step
Robot on square 9, star on 12. Arrive in three steps. Does the starting square count as a move?
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12★
One solution to check afterwards
→ → →: 9 → 10 → 11 → 12. Four squares visited, three moves. The start is not a move.
Add at the endSwap with previousA rock blocks arrow {step}. The robot stayed on square {n}. Look for another passage.Board: three rows and four columnsGuide for the grown-upNew board. Look at the start and destination again.Choose a missionChoose a characterClear the arrowsEmpty queue. Let's prepare another idea.You predicted square {predicted}; the robot ended on square {actual}. What matched or differed?3. Count every stepReach the star in three steps. Each arrow moves one square. Point to the start and count only when the robot moves.Your discovery teamYour character joins the adventure; on the board, the robot crab follows your arrows. You can also play without choosing a character.An idea you tested!DownDownload offline game and guide (ZIP)Arrow {step} points outside the board. The robot stayed on square {n}. Shall we change that part?Select an arrow in the queue to change it. Then choose another direction or swap its position. Up to 8 arrows.clearFirst, see an exampleThe robot is on square 1. The → arrow moves it one square right: it reaches square 2. The starting square does not count as a step. Arrows point to the sides of the screen; they do not turn the robot.You tried all eight boards! Take a break. Later, invent a path on paper and explain how it works.4. Untangle the arrowsThe dragon of confusion mixed up the arrows. Test slowly. Where does the path need to change?Read one instruction at a time. Ask the child to point to the start and star, predict, then test. If something differs, ask: ‘Which was the first arrow that did not do what you expected?’ Let the child try a change. They can explain by speaking, drawing or pointing; we do not record these responses.A clueThe start is zero moves. Follow with your finger: move one square, count one. Move another, count two.The first step meets a rock. What if you try the second arrow first? Select arrow 2 and swap it with the previous one.Prepare three arrows. The square the robot already occupies needs no arrow. If it goes past the star, check whether you counted the start as a step.After the first change, test the whole queue. If needed, select only the first arrow that did not reach the expected square. Keep what already works.The star is on a square next to the robot. Choose the arrow pointing toward it, mark your prediction and test once.Select arrow 2 in the queue and use “Swap with previous”. Before testing, point to the two squares the robot will visit.Find the robot and the star. Is the star above, below or beside it? Point before choosing an arrow.Look at which of the two arrows meets the rock. What if the other comes first? The arrows stay the same; only their order changes.Help the robot crab reach the star. One arrow, one discovery!LeftRobot = start · Star = destination · Rock = do not crossThe queue already has 8 arrows. You can change or remove one.Hear the mission{n} of 2 explored this visitAnother clueExplore the next missionTest the idea on another boardChoose the first arrow.The on-screen game needs JavaScript. The example, guide and paper material below work without it. You can also use your browser's Print option.The arrows ended without reaching the star. Compare the path with your idea and try a change.1. One arrow, one actionChoose an arrow that takes the robot to the star.Play with arrows2. Order makes a differenceTwo arrows, but a rock is in the way. Test the queue. Then swap their order to reach the star using only two arrows.Play on paperRobot on square 9, star on 12. Arrive in three steps. Does the starting square count as a move?→ → →: 9 → 10 → 11 → 12. Four squares visited, three moves. The start is not a move.Robot on square 9, star on 6, rock on 10. Test → ↑; then use the same two arrows in a different order. What changed?↑ →: 9 → 5 → 6. The order → ↑ meets the rock on the very first move.Paper mission: robot on square 9, star on square 3 and rock on square 10. Try reaching the star without crossing the rock.Print the board and cards below, or draw them. Use a finger or a large drawing as the robot. An adult reads the arrows one at a time. Avoid small pieces. Compare with the worked example after trying.Interactive play is paused for this account. Talk with your guardian.PILOT · EXPLORE TOGETHER1. Prepare the arrowsExplore Little Inventors2. Where will the queue end?Before testing, select a square on the board. That is your prediction, not a right or wrong answer.First choose where on the board you think the queue ends.My prediction: square {n}.Print materialYour arrow queueCount the moves you tested. Why does the square where the robot started not count as a step?Show the first arrow that needed changing. Which part of the path could you keep?Which arrow took the robot to the star? Show the start and end of the move with your finger.The same two arrows worked in a different order. What happened when you changed which came first?Remove selectedBack at the start. Your arrows are still in the queue.Return to the startRightrobotrock: blocked passageFour missions to explore with an adult. Suggested ages: 5–7, with shared reading. No grade or timer. Discoveries from this visit disappear when you leave; they do not change track progress.Arrow {n} selected.{n} of 8 boards explored this visit. This is not a grade and is not saved when you leave.Start with one arrow or choose any mission. You can stop whenever you need.One solution to check afterwards↑ → ↑ →: 9 → 5 → 6 → 2 → 3. The robot goes around the rock on square 10. Other paths are possible; compare yours.Square {n}star: destinationRun the next arrowYou reached the star with {actual} arrows. In this mission, try reaching it with {n}. Count the moves, leaving out the starting square.Arrow {step}: the robot reached square {n}.Stop readingYou reached the star! You prepared and tested a path. Show how it works with your finger.3. Test one arrow at a timeLittle InventorsThe path we testedAfter the screen: draw another board. Move the star and create a new queue. On another day, try explaining without copying the first solution.Away from the screen: draw four squares in a row. Start a finger on the first. How many moves does it need to reach the last?Away from the screen: draw a path and change one arrow. Find the first difference together, without changing the whole queue.Away from the screen: draw two neighboring squares. One person points to the arrow and the other moves a finger one square.Away from the screen: arrange two drawn arrows in different orders. Follow each queue with a finger and compare the paths.Two boards to discoverUpTry another boardReading the mission. You can stop at any time.No local voice is available in this language. Ask someone to read with you; all text is still here.Preparing the activity. Meanwhile, explore the example and guide below.The ZIP contains an HTML game, instructions and printable material. It is not a Rust/Rullst project or an installed app. Extract the files and open index.html. It contains no learner accounts or attempts.