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Printable Problem Solving Cards

Simple cards you can copy, print, or rewrite by hand. Keep them nearby — a step you can actually find in the moment beats a beautiful chart you can't. Cut them out, tape them inside a notebook, or keep them on a shelf.

Everyday problems and safe next steps

These cards teach everyday problem-solving skills. They are not therapy, legal advice, or medical advice. Some problems are too big, unsafe, or serious to solve alone. Asking a trusted adult for help is part of problem solving.

Problem Solving Loop Card​

THE PROBLEM SOLVING LOOP

  1. What is the problem?
  2. What do I know?
  3. What am I guessing?
  4. What information is missing?
  5. What are my options?
  6. What is one safe thing to try?
  7. What happened?
  8. What should I change next?

Problem Statement Card​

NAME THE PROBLEM

  • I expected ___, but ___ happened.
  • The thing I am trying to do is ___.
  • The part that is not working is ___.
  • The problem I can work on is ___.

Facts / Guesses / Missing Information Card​

SORT WHAT YOU KNOW

  • Facts: What do I know?
  • Guesses: What might be true?
  • Missing information: What do I need to find out?

Break It Down Card​

MAKE IT SMALLER

  • Big problem: ___
  • Smaller parts:
  • First useful part: ___

Brainstorm Options Card​

MORE THAN ONE WAY

  • Easy option: ___
  • Brave option: ___
  • Weird option: ___
  • Ask-for-help option: ___

Safe Step Card​

TRY ONE SAFE STEP

  • One safe thing I can try is ___.
  • I will try it for ___.
  • I will know it helped if ___.
  • I should ask for help if ___.

Observe Card​

RESULTS ARE INFORMATION

  • What did I try?
  • What happened?
  • What changed?
  • What stayed the same?
  • What surprised me?
  • What did I learn?

Adjust Card​

TRY AGAIN, BETTER

  • Version 1 taught me ___.
  • Next, I will change ___.
  • My Version 2 is ___.

Quick Loop Card​

WHEN I FEEL STUCK

  1. Name it.
  2. Check what I know.
  3. Break it down.
  4. Think of options.
  5. Try one safe step.
  6. Notice what happened.
  7. Adjust.

You do not have to solve the whole thing at once.

Ask for Help Card​

SOME PROBLEMS ARE TOO BIG TO SOLVE ALONE

Ask a trusted adult for help if the problem involves:

  • danger or safety
  • serious distress
  • bullying
  • unsafe adults
  • health concerns
  • legal trouble
  • anything that feels too big or scary

Asking for help can be the safest problem-solving step.

These cards pair with the eight toolkit lessons, starting with What Problem Are We Solving?.