The End of Caribou: Official Announcement
In 2025, the Caribou Math Contest announced that it would no longer run after more than two decades of inspiring students worldwide. Known for its unique style of logic-based, fun math problems, Caribou was often the very first contest that Canadian children encountered.
For many families, the news raised an important question: If Caribou is gone, what comes next?
Why Caribou Was So Popular
Caribou was beloved because it lowered the barrier to math competitions:
- Fun, puzzle-like problems rather than heavy algebra.
- Fully online format, accessible to schools and parents across Canada.
- Entry points for younger grades — as early as Grade 2.
It served as both a gentle introduction to contest-style math and a confidence booster for children who loved puzzles and logical thinking.
Best Alternative: Kangaroo Math Contest
When we compare contests worldwide, the Kangaroo Math Contest (Kangourou Sans Frontières) emerges as the closest equivalent to Caribou.
- Available for Grade 1 and above, with millions of participants globally.
- Same flavor of problems: logic, patterns, visual reasoning, and playful scenarios.
- Highly engaging illustrations and story-based questions.
In other words: for a Caribou-style replacement, Math Kangaroo is the most natural choice.
Caribou vs Kangaroo: Problem Type Comparison
Caribou and Kangaroo cover almost the same five core categories of problems.
| Problem Type | Caribou Example | Kangaroo Example | Skills Tested |
| Logical Reasoning | Caribou 2022 Q3 — Tray balance ordering (P,Q,R,X) Caribou 2022 Q5 — Fruit exchange (cherry → strawberry → blueberry → orange) | Kangaroo 2021 Q4 — Teddy bear with conditions (eye, hand, belly triangle) | Step-by-step deduction, elimination |
| Pattern Recognition | Caribou 2024 Q3 — Halloween emoji equations 🎃👻🕷 | Kangaroo 2021 Q15 — Number cards 2–6 in two boxes with equal sums | Substitution, sequences, hidden rules |
| Spatial Imagination | Caribou 2015 Q1 — Paper folding (A–G, which is not covered) | Kangaroo 2021 Q6 — T-shirt mirror image of “2021” | Symmetry, folding, 3D visualization |
| Applied Word Problems | Caribou 2022 Q2 — Hens & eggs Caribou 2015 Q2 — Butterflies crossed out | Kangaroo 2021 Q12 — Children holding hands (count right-hand connections) | Translate real-life scenes into math |
| Combinatorics & Counting | Caribou 2022 Q1 — Coin values Caribou 2024 Q1 — Gem drawing (ensure ≥3 red) | Kangaroo 2021 Q13 — Kangaroo eats leaves from two branches | Worst-case reasoning, pigeonhole principle |
Five Problem Types: Side-by-Side Examples
1. Logical Reasoning
- Caribou 2022 Q3: P, Q, R trays ordered by weight. Add tray X, what possible sequence?
- Kangaroo 2021 Q4: Teddy bear with right eye covered, left hand raised, triangle on belly. Which bear fits?How it works: Students must apply each condition step by step and eliminate wrong choices.Parent tip: Encourage children to mark ✓/✗ while reading conditions to stay organized.
2. Pattern Recognition
- Caribou 2024 Q3: 🎃=3, 👻=2, 🕷=4 → solve 🕷+👻+🎃.
- Kangaroo 2021 Q15: Numbers 2–6 split into two boxes with equal sums. Which number must go with 4?How it works: Caribou uses substitution; Kangaroo uses balancing sums.Parent tip: Teach kids to solve small parts (one symbol or one card) first, then substitute.
3. Spatial Imagination
- Caribou 2015 Q1: Fold paper along black line. Which letter A–G is not covered?
- Kangaroo 2021 Q6: Mirror image of “2021” on a T-shirt. Which option matches?How it works: Both test reflection symmetry.Parent tip: Give kids real paper or a mirror to experiment — concrete practice builds abstract thinking.
4. Applied Word Problems
- Caribou 2022 Q2: 4 hens × 6 eggs = 24. If 10 hatch, how many are left?
- Kangaroo 2021 Q12: Children face forward/backward, holding hands. Count how many use right hands.How it works: Real-world settings translated into simple addition/subtraction.Parent tip: Ask your child to restate the problem in their own words before calculating.
5. Combinatorics & Counting
- Caribou 2024 Q1: Box with 21 green, 10 blue, 6 red gems. How many draws guarantee ≥3 red?
- Kangaroo 2021 Q13: Kangaroo eats leaves from two branches (10 each). Leaves eaten follow a rule. How many left?How it works: Caribou requires worst-case analysis; Kangaroo requires tracking changes step by step.Parent tip: Let kids act it out with counters or blocks before abstract calculation.
Beyond Kangaroo: Upgrading to AMC 8 & Waterloo
For younger children (G1–G5), Kangaroo is the perfect replacement for Caribou.
But as students progress into upper elementary and middle school, contests like AMC 8 (U.S.) and Waterloo Gauss/Pascal (Canada) become the next natural step.
- AMC 8: More algebra, geometry, and word problems.
- Waterloo Gauss: Curriculum-aligned, highly valued in Canadian schools.
- Pathway: Caribou → Kangaroo → AMC 8/Waterloo → AMC 10 & beyond.
Courses for Math Competitions at Think Academy Canada
At Think Academy Canada, our curriculum is designed to support both foundational learning and competition training.
- G1–G4 Core Math Program: Focuses on building a strong base in number sense, operations, logical reasoning, and applied word problems. The lessons integrate fun activities and step-by-step problem-solving, helping younger students transition smoothly from classroom math to contest-style thinking.
- Competition Math Program: For students preparing for contests such as Kangaroo, AMC 8, AMC10, and Waterloo’s Gauss and beyond. Courses emphasize problem-solving strategies in logic, counting & probability, geometry, and number theory. Students gain confidence not only in contests but also in higher-level school math.
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