ADHD & Autism Games

Hungry Crocodile ๐ŸŠ

A greater than, less than game. The crocodile always eats the bigger number.

Tap a number, or press โ† โ†’

Croc is hungry!

Croc only eats the bigger number. Tap it and watch Croc chomp.

Press Enter to start. 8 turns, then Croc takes a nap.

How to play

Two numbers appear. Croc is very hungry and always wants the bigger one. Tap the bigger number (or press the left or right arrow) and Croc turns, opens wide and eats it. Then the open jaws turn into the sign, and you hear the sentence: 7 is greater than 3.

If your child taps the smaller number, Croc just sniffs it, says "hmm" and the bigger number glows. Nothing is lost, there is no buzzer and no counter of mistakes. They simply try the other side.

The alligator method, as a game

Teachers have used the alligator (or crocodile) trick for years: the hungry animal always wants the bigger number, so its open mouth points at it, and that open mouth is the sign. 7 > 3 and 3 < 7 both have the mouth facing the 7. Hungry Crocodile makes the trick physical: your child chooses, the crocodile eats, and its jaws turn into the real symbol on screen. After a few rounds most children stop needing the crocodile at all.

What it teaches

  • Greater than and less than: which of two numbers is bigger.
  • The signs > and <: the open mouth always faces the bigger number, so the picture becomes the symbol.
  • Reading a comparison out loud: "3 is less than 7" is read left to right, every single turn.
  • Two digit numbers (level 4): compare the tens first, then the ones, including tricky pairs like 34 and 43.

Curriculum links

For teachers and home educators, Hungry Crocodile practices these Common Core math standards:

  • K.CC.C.7: Compare two numbers between 1 and 10 presented as written numerals.
  • 1.NBT.B.3: Compare two two-digit numbers based on meanings of the tens and ones digits, recording the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, and <.

In the UK this is Reception and Year 1 math. In India it matches the "more and less" and number comparison chapters of Class 1 and Class 2.

The five levels

  1. Up to 5, with food to count. Big gaps first, so early wins come quickly.
  2. Up to 10, still with food you can count.
  3. Up to 20, numbers only. This is the step from counting things to reading numbers.
  4. Big numbers from 10 to 99. Tens, then ones.
  5. Pick the sign. Your child chooses < or > and Croc proves it right.

Why it works for kids with ADHD and autism

This game follows the same research we use for the TimeNinja app, which is built for ADHD brains. Children with attention differences learn best when feedback is instant, the task is short and the end is visible, so:

  • No timer, no lives, no score. Speed pressure and losing lives add stress, not learning.
  • One decision per screen. Left or right. That is the whole game.
  • Short rounds you can see. Croc's tummy fills up over 8 turns, then Croc naps. A natural stopping point makes it easy to finish and move on.
  • Mistakes are information, not failure. A wrong tap gets a gentle sniff and a hint, never a red cross.
  • Concrete, then pictures, then symbols. Food you can count, then numbers, then the signs. Each level takes away one support.
  • Two keys or one tap. Works on a phone, a tablet, a classroom board or a laptop. Sound and voice can be switched off with one button.

More on this in our guide: learning games for kids with ADHD and autism.

Tips for parents and teachers

๐Ÿ– Make a hand croc. Open your hand like a mouth and point it at the bigger number on paper. Kids remember what their body does.
๐Ÿช Use real snacks. Two small piles of crackers, and the croc hand eats the bigger pile. Then write the sign.
๐Ÿ—ฃ Say the sentence together. After each chomp, read the line aloud with your child. Saying it builds the habit of reading left to right.
โธ Stop after one or two rounds. Ending while it is still fun is what makes them want to come back tomorrow.

Common questions

Is this the alligator method for greater than and less than?

Yes. Many teachers call it the alligator or crocodile method: the hungry animal always opens its mouth toward the bigger number, and the open mouth looks like the sign. Hungry Crocodile turns that classroom trick into a game, and the jaws become the real > or < sign after every bite.

What age is it for?

Ages 4 to 8. Start at level 1 for preschoolers, level 3 for most 6 year olds, and level 4 or 5 for older children who already know numbers to 100.

Is Hungry Crocodile suitable for autistic children?

Yes, it was designed with autistic children in mind as well as children with ADHD. Every round follows the same predictable pattern, there is one clear instruction at a time, nothing flashes, there are no pop-ups or ads, sound and voice turn off with one tap, and it ends at a clear, visible point, which makes moving on easier. As with any activity, follow your child's lead.

Is it really free?

Yes. No ads, no account, no email. Nothing your child does leaves the device.

Does it work without sound?

Yes. Every sentence is also shown on screen in large text. Tap the speaker button to turn sound and voice off.

Next game: Feed the Hungry Monkey
Give bananas until both monkeys have the same. Teaches less than and equal.

See all ADHD and autism games โ†’