Teddy Bear Seesaw 🧸

How to play

Teddy bears sit on both ends of a seesaw. The side with more bears goes down. Your child taps the side that is up (or presses the left or right arrow) to add a bear. Each bear tips the seesaw a little more until both sides are level, and the sign at the top changes from 3 < 5 to 4 < 5 to 5 = 5.

Tap the side that is already down and the seesaw wobbles while the other side glows. No points lost.

What it teaches

• More and less as something you can see: the heavier side goes down.
• Equal as balance, the picture children will use later for equations.
• The < and = signs, updating after every bear.
• Counting on: how many more bears does this side need?

Curriculum links

For teachers and home educators, Teddy Bear Seesaw practices these Common Core math standards:

• K.CC.C.6: Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group.
• 1.OA.D.7: Understand the meaning of the equal sign.

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 levels

1. Up to 4 bears. Small gaps of 1 or 2 bears.
2. Up to 7 bears. Gaps up to 3.
3. Up to 10 bears. Gaps up to 4. Children start predicting how many bears are needed.

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 ADHD and autistic children often learn best with instant feedback, one clear choice, a predictable pattern and a short round with a visible end, so:

• No timer, no lives, no score. Speed pressure and losing lives add stress, not learning.
• One decision at a time. Left or right. That is the whole game.
• Instant feedback. Every tap gets a sound, a picture and a spoken sentence straight away.
• Mistakes are hints, not failures. A wrong tap gets a gentle wobble and a glow on the right answer, never a red cross.
• A goal you can see. Level the seesaw. The tilt shrinks with every bear, so progress is visible.
• Short rounds. Five seesaws, shown as bears at the top, then a picnic.

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

Tips for parents and teachers

Common questions

Why use a balance to teach the equal sign?

Many children read = as "the answer comes next". A balance shows what it really means: both sides are the same amount. Seeing the seesaw level out at 5 = 5 gives children the right picture of equal, which makes later sums like 3 + 2 = 5 easier to understand.

What age is Teddy Bear Seesaw for?

Ages 4 to 8. Younger children enjoy watching the seesaw move. Older children can predict how many bears are needed before they tap.

Is it suitable for children with ADHD?

Yes. There is no timer, no lives and no score, every tap moves the seesaw straight away, and the goal of a level seesaw is clear and visible.

Is Teddy Bear Seesaw 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 the game ends at a clear, visible point, which makes moving on easier. As with any activity, follow your child's lead.

Is it free? Do I need an account?

It is completely free, with no ads, no account and no email. It runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers, and 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.

See all ADHD and autism games →