Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions. Is your question not among them? Then feel free to contact us directly.
Which devices are best suited for working with Kniffelix?
Kniffelix missions work best on a computer or tablet. Working on a mobile phone is generally possible, but it can quickly become a bit cumbersome. Some games and graphics are quite small, you have to scroll more often, and occasionally the display can shift on smaller screens. For relaxed work, we therefore recommend using a computer or tablet.
Can children work on the puzzles independently?
In our work with Kniffelix, we have had very different experiences regarding how much support children and young people need with the missions.
We often receive feedback that Kniffelix is particularly well-suited for interested, motivated, and curious children. In fact, we have already seen eleven and twelve-year-olds who have independently completed entire missions with all sub-tasks. These children usually had a great interest in scientific questions and were accordingly motivated to delve into complex topics.
On the other hand, we have also conducted projects with entire classes where the students needed significantly more guidance. Step-by-step explanations were helpful here so that everyone could successfully participate until the end.
Therefore, the amount of support needed depends less on age and more on interest, motivation, and prior experience. For use in the classroom, close coordination with the teacher, who can best assess their learning group, is always recommended.
What about data protection?
The protection of children and young people is a high priority at Kniffelix.
We recommend all children to write only anonymously or under a nickname and never to publish personal data.
You can find detailed information in our privacy policy and in the community rules for children.
Especially important: Every contribution is checked by the editorial team before publication. Only after this check does a contribution appear publicly on the website.
Can I receive certificates or badges for completed missions?
We currently do not offer certificates or digital badges.
Since Kniffelix is used anonymously, we cannot track which individuals have completed individual missions. Therefore, it is unfortunately not possible for us to assign completed missions to individual users.
Why don’t the missions always look the same?
Kniffelix missions were developed and designed by many different people. Each author was allowed to contribute their own ideas, focal points, and creative elements.
As a result, the missions differ significantly in structure, design, and style. Nevertheless, all missions pursue the same basic idea: to inspire people about science and to encourage independent discovery, research, and critical thinking.
Does using Kniffelix cost anything?
No. All content on Kniffelix is available free of charge. The development of the missions is made possible by various funding projects and partners.
What age are the missions suitable for?
Our beginner missions are generally suitable from around 8 years of age. The advanced missions are more suitable from around 10 to 12 years of age.
However, interest, reading ability, and the willingness to engage with the questions are more important than age.
How long does a Kniffelix mission take?
This varies greatly. Some children only work on individual sections of a mission, while others spend several hours on the experiments, games, and background information.
Since the missions are structured freely, each person can choose their own learning pace.
Can Kniffelix be used in the classroom?
Yes. Kniffelix has been explicitly designed so that the missions can also be used in the classroom.
The experiments are based on simple everyday materials and can be carried out individually, in pairs, or in groups. Missions can be completed in full or used specifically for individual teaching units.
Thanks to the menu bar, the different sections of a mission can be quickly selected and flexibly integrated into the lessons.
Do I need prior knowledge to work on a mission?
No. The missions are designed so that no prior scientific knowledge is required.
However, you should already be able to read and write, as many tasks, explanations, and discussions are text-based.
Can I interrupt a mission and continue later?
Yes. Via the menu bar, you can return to a specific section of a mission at any time and continue where you left off.
How often are new missions released?
New missions are created as part of funding projects. As these are time-limited, we unfortunately cannot provide fixed dates for new releases.
In the past, we have been able to release new missions approximately every six to twelve months.
Who develops the Kniffelix missions?
The missions were developed by people with very different professional backgrounds – including media educators, teachers, scientists, students, and other educational actors.
An overview of the authors can be found here.
Can I submit ideas for new missions myself?
Yes. Kniffelix thrives on people who want to share their ideas and knowledge.
You can participate via the community or even develop your own missions. You can find more information on our participate page.
What should I do if I get stuck on a task?
If you get stuck on a task and cannot find a solution or help, you can contact us at any time. We are happy to help.
Can I use Kniffelix together with my child?
Absolutely! Kniffelix is aimed at curious people from 8 to 99+ years old. Many parents tell us that they learned new things themselves while working on the missions together.
The missions are therefore excellent for joint discovery journeys within the family – for example, on a rainy afternoon.
Do I need special programs or apps?
No. Kniffelix runs directly in the browser and does not require any additional software or apps. We recommend using a computer or tablet.
Can Kniffelix also be used on a smartboard or projector in the classroom?
Yes. Since Kniffelix is fully browser-based, an internet connection is sufficient. Missions can be worked on together on a smartboard or projector. Experiments can then be carried out in groups or with the whole class.
Am I allowed to print and use Kniffelix materials for my lessons?
Yes, that’s allowed. You can find the materials in PDF format either in the missions or via the menu bar under the “For Educators” section, in “Accompanying Materials for the Kniffelix Puzzles.” Unless otherwise indicated, the content of Kniffelix is under the license Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0).
This means:
- ✅ The materials may be copied, printed, shared, and redistributed.
- ✅ The materials may be adapted, modified, and further developed.
- ✅ The materials may also be used commercially.
- ✅ The materials may be used in lessons, workshops, clubs, or other educational offerings.
However, the following conditions must be met:
- 📌 The source must be cited: “KinderForscher an der TUHH”.
- 📌 Changes must be indicated.
- 📌 Adapted or further developed versions must be published under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0).
You can find more information about the license on the official Creative Commons website.
Do I need to register for Kniffelix?
No. Registration is not possible for using Kniffelix. All missions, games, and educational activities are available without a user account. Registration is also not possible for community tasks or comments. Users may voluntarily provide a nickname to make it easier to identify their posts. However, the corresponding field may also be left blank. We place great importance on ensuring that children can use Kniffelix as anonymously as possible and with minimal data collection.