Spatial reasoning game · Grades 1–13
Mirror Painter: Free Symmetry Game for Kids
Mirror Painter is a free symmetry game. Paint one side of the mirror line and complete the reflection, then take on diagonal mirrors, rotations and coordinate grids. Younger children can explore in the free-paint mirror studio, where there are no wrong answers.
Part of our 24 brain games for kids, free with an account.
What Mirror Painter trains
Mirror Painter trains visual-spatial reasoning and the maths of symmetry. To finish a reflection, a child judges how far each square sits from the mirror line and places its partner the same distance on the other side. Rotation puzzles ask them to turn a shape in their head.
What the research says: Symmetry and reflection tasks build spatial visualisation, which a review of 217 studies found children and adults can improve with practice (Uttal et al., 2013).
Who Mirror Painter is for
Mirror Painter suits Grades 1–13. Starter (Grades 1–3) uses small grids and one straight mirror line. Explorer adds diagonal and double mirrors, Challenger moves onto coordinate axes with rotational symmetry, and Expert reflects in y = x and y = −x on 12×12 grids. Every puzzle is new each time.
How to play Mirror Painter
- Choose a symmetry challenge or the free-paint studio.
- Look at the mirror line and the squares already painted.
- Paint the matching squares on the other side.
- For rotation puzzles, picture the shape turning.
- Finish with one mistake or fewer for three stars.
Tips for parents and teachers
Ask “How far is that square from the mirror? So where does its partner go?” Watch the worked example together first. Two or three puzzles, or ten minutes of free paint, is plenty. “Show mistakes as I paint” is on for Starter and Explorer; from Challenger, children check their own work.
FAQs
What age is Mirror Painter for?
Grades 1–13, roughly ages 6 to 18. Starter has one straight mirror line; Expert reflects in diagonal lines on coordinate grids.
What maths does Mirror Painter cover?
Line symmetry, rotational symmetry and reflections on coordinates, from early primary through to GCSE.
Is there a free play mode?
Yes. The free-paint mirror studio lets children create symmetrical pictures with no wrong answers.
Can Mirror Painter be used in maths lessons?
Yes. Each puzzle is new, so a class can practise reflections without copying answers, and the worked example helps introduce the idea.