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Khan Academy Kids Maths

Khan Academy Kids confidence quests maths mission

A practical mini-mission using confidence quests to practise maths mindset through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.

Quick answer

Confidence quests in Khan Academy Kids help children build a positive maths mindset through fun challenges and real-life maths problems.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to use confidence quests to build your maths skills and believe in yourself when solving maths problems. Success signs:
  • You can explain what a confidence quest is and how it helps with maths
  • You can solve a simple maths problem using a confidence quest approach
  • You can talk about how you felt when solving a maths challenge
  • You can help a friend or family member with a maths problem using a confidence quest mindset

Why this matters

Confidence quests in Khan Academy Kids are more than just maths problems. They are special missions that help you believe in yourself and your maths skills. When you solve a confidence quest, you're not just learning numbers – you're learning how to think, try, and keep going even when something is hard. This mindset helps you in school, in games, and in everyday life. Whether you're sharing snacks with friends, planning a birthday party, or counting your toys, confidence quests teach you to see maths as something fun and useful – not something to be scared of.

How it works

A confidence quest is a maths challenge that feels like a mini-adventure. Here’s how to do one:
  1. Start with a fun story or situation – Like, "You're helping your pet hamster build a new cage."
  2. Ask a maths question – "How many blocks do you need if the cage is 4 blocks wide and 3 blocks long?"
  3. Think about it – Use what you know, draw it, or count it out.
  4. Try different ways – You might count by 2s, or draw a picture, or use your fingers.
  5. Check your answer – "Does that make sense?"
  6. Feel proud – You solved it! Even if it took a few tries.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you’re going on a confidence quest to help your friend with their pet goldfish. Quest: How many fish food pellets do you need? You have 3 fish tanks. Each tank has 4 goldfish. Each goldfish eats 2 pellets a day. Step 1: How many goldfish are there in total?
  • 3 tanks × 4 fish = 12 fish
Step 2: How many pellets do they need?
  • 12 fish × 2 pellets = 24 pellets
So, you need 24 pellets for all the fish each day. Here's how you might solve this:
  • Draw 3 fish tanks
  • Put 4 fish in each tank
  • Count how many fish there are in total
  • Then, count 2 pellets for each fish
Another example: You're planning a party and need to make 5 goodie bags. Each bag has 3 stickers. How many stickers do you need?
  • 5 bags × 3 stickers = 15 stickers
You can draw 5 bags, put 3 stickers in each, and count them all to get 15.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Treasure Hunt You are a treasure hunter and need to find a hidden chest. The map shows a path with 4 steps. Each step has a maths challenge. If you solve them, you get a clue. Step 1: You see 6 rocks. Each rock has 2 shells. How many shells are there?
  • 6 rocks × 2 shells = 12 shells
Step 2: You find 5 chests. Each chest has 4 gold coins. How many coins are there?
  • 5 chests × 4 coins = 20 coins
Step 3: You see 8 butterflies. Each butterfly has 3 spots. How many spots are there?
  • 8 butterflies × 3 spots = 24 spots
Step 4: You find 7 treasure maps. Each map shows 5 clues. How many clues are there?
  • 7 maps × 5 clues = 35 clues
Great job! You’ve solved all the challenges and found 35 clues to help you find the treasure.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that if a problem is hard, you can't do it.
    Why it happens: You might have heard someone say, "I'm not good at maths."
    Fix: Remember that every problem can be solved with a bit of thinking and trying.
  • Mistake: Not checking your answer.
    Why it happens: You might be in a hurry.
    Fix: Always ask, "Does this make sense?"
  • Mistake: Not trying different ways to solve a problem.
    Why it happens: You might only know one way.
    Fix: Try drawing it, counting, or using your fingers.
  • Mistake: Feeling embarrassed if you get it wrong.
    Why it happens: You might think everyone else got it right.
    Fix: Everyone makes mistakes – that's how we learn!

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child with confidence quests is about encouraging their thinking, not just giving answers. What to say:
  • "Tell me how you solved that."
  • "What did you try first?"
  • "Let's check if that makes sense."
  • "You did great – it took some thinking!"
What not to do:
  • Don’t say, "That’s easy – you should know this."
  • Don’t rush to give the answer.
  • Don’t compare your child to others.
  • Don’t say, "You're not good at maths."
How to help in 5-10 minutes:
  • Ask your child to tell you about a confidence quest they did today
  • Ask them to solve a simple maths problem from everyday life
  • Encourage them to try different ways to solve it
  • Ask how they felt while solving it
  • Give praise for effort, not just results

Practice questions

  1. There are 4 boxes. Each box has 5 toy cars. How many toy cars are there in total?
    Answer: 20 toy cars
  2. You have 6 friends. Each friend gets 3 stickers. How many stickers do you need?
    Answer: 18 stickers
  3. There are 7 trees. Each tree has 4 apples. How many apples are there?
    Answer: 28 apples
  4. You see 5 birds. Each bird has 2 wings. How many wings are there?
    Answer: 10 wings
  5. There are 8 cups. Each cup has 6 marbles. How many marbles are there?
    Answer: 48 marbles

FAQ

What is a confidence quest?

A confidence quest is a fun maths challenge that helps you build your belief in your own maths skills. It's like a mini-adventure where you solve problems and feel proud of your progress.

How can confidence quests help me in school?

Confidence quests teach you to think carefully, try different ways to solve problems, and not be afraid of making mistakes. These skills help you do better in maths and other subjects.

Can I do confidence quests at home?

Yes! You can make your own confidence quests using everyday things like toys, food, or household items. For example, count how many cups you need for your family dinner.

Do I have to get the right answer every time?

No! The goal is to try, think, and learn. It's okay to make mistakes – that's how you grow.

What if I don't understand a quest?

Ask for help, draw a picture, or try a simpler version. Confidence quests are meant to be a challenge, but they should also be fun and doable.