Work together to build and protect a town that is under attack by giant robots. Will your team choose to upgrade the homes, strengthen the walls, or launch a counterattack? Each correct answer helps reinforce the town and brings you closer to victory!

This version focuses on solving balanced equations involving addition and subtraction to 10. Students are presented with number sentences that have a missing number, and they must apply algebraic thinking to identify the value that balances both sides. These early equations lay the groundwork for future algebra and develop confidence in mental computation.

As players answer questions correctly, they earn upgrade points to improve their town and defend it from robotic invasion. Strategic choices—whether to grow the population or strengthen defences—keep the game engaging and reinforce a sense of teamwork. Work together, think logically, and protect your town!

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Solve simple balanced equations involving addition and subtraction
• ✅ Apply logical thinking to find missing numbers
• ✅ Strengthen fluency with number facts to 10
• ✅ Build foundations for algebraic reasoning
• ✅ Collaborate with peers to achieve a shared goal

How to Play:

1. Students are shown an equation such as 3 + __ = 5 or 6 = __ + 2.
2. They identify the missing number that makes the equation true.
3. Each correct answer earns points to upgrade homes, walls, or attacks.
4. Players decide how to spend their points and improve their town’s strength.
5. The game ends when all questions are answered and the town is fully defended.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during algebra or number pattern units in early primary years
• 💡 Ideal for Year 3-5 students learning to identify missing values in number sentences
• 💡 Great for partner work or team-based rotations in a maths block
• 💡 Replay to boost fluency, confidence, and strategic thinking

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Let students personalise their experience by choosing from six characters before the game begins
• 💛 Select the number of players or teams at the start of the game to suit individual, paired, or group play
• 💛 Send the QR code home for students to play as a homework or revision task

Let’s Defend – Balanced Equations: Addition & Subtraction to 10 combines teamwork, maths strategy, and creative thinking for an action-packed way to explore number relationships and build early algebra foundations.