Sumdle — Make the Target Number (Maths Game for Kids)

About Sumdle

Sumdle is a no-ads, daily maths puzzle for children aged 4 to 6. We give you a target number, like 7. You drag two digits and the operator on the grid to make a sum that equals the target. Get one right, score a star. Endless turns, no fail state, gentle pace.

Sumdle joins Fredle, Flagle and Flowerdle in the Tadpole Games collection. Where Fredle teaches phonics through words, Sumdle teaches the very first number bonds — one target at a time. It’s designed to be played alongside the early-years maths curriculum.

Who Sumdle is for

Reception (age 4–5) — just starting number bonds. The target is shown clearly, the operator is mostly +, and there is no time pressure or fail state.
Year 1 (age 5–6) — comfortable adding small numbers. Occasionally the operator flips to − to mix in some take-away practice.
Home-schoolers and tutors looking for a short daily warm-up maths activity for young children.
Parents who want a gentler, target-led maths game.

How it works

A 3×3 number grid appears with eight digits and one operator (mostly +) in the middle.
A target number like ? + ? = 7 is shown above the grid.
The child drags from a digit, through the operator, to another digit. If the sum equals the target — star! — their score goes up and a new target appears.
If the sum doesn’t match, the tiles wobble and they can simply try again. Endless turns — no losing.
Every few correct answers the grid refreshes with new digits, and once in a while the operator flips to −.

Why “make this number” is the right starting point

For very young children, “count up to 7” is a more concrete task than “find as many numbers as you can”. Sumdle gives them a single concrete goal each turn: hit the target. The grid acts as a constraint — the child has to combine real digits to land on the answer, which builds the same number-bond fluency as flashcards but in a playful, draggable form.

How to play with your child

Say the equation aloud. “Three plus four equals seven” is the learning. Point at each tile.
Celebrate every star. The score is just a stack of correct answers — great for confidence.
Use the “try a different number” button if your child is genuinely stuck on a target. No shame, just keep playing.
Five minutes a day. Short and sweet beats long and frustrating.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sumdle free?

A daily Fredle and Sumdle game is free, so you can enjoy playing the games with your children without having to log-in or pay. We do offer a paid subscription or membership, which gives you access to all games and allows you to play as many Fredle and Sumdle games as you like.

Can my child fail?

No. There is no timer and no fail state. They can try a target as many times as they like, or skip to a new one. Stars only go up.

Why mostly the same grid?

Familiarity matters at this age. Keeping the digits stable for a few rounds means the child can recognise the same numbers and build relationships between them, rather than re-reading a fresh board every turn.

How much is a subscription?

For less than the price of a flat white a month, you can subscribe to Tadpole Games for £3. Alternatively, you can pay £19.99 annually. As we’ve just launched, we’re offering a special Founding Frog membership where you can get a lifetime access for £19.99.

I cannot select a word or number

Fredle and Sumdle use a select and drag motion. To complete a word or sum, press down on the first letter or number and drag it across the letters you want to use.