Thursday, July 7, 2011

The Buzz about Buzz!

Don't worry about getting stung! This has nothing to do with those pesky pollinators in your garden.  Rather, this is a game that school-aged kids absolutely love (and there's even a bunch of math hidden in it).  The rules of the game are simple and flexible.  You (or your child[ren]) determine which number's multiples you want to focus on.  Let's say you pick the number 3.  Start counting and alternate between you and your child.  If there are more kids, even better.  Each person takes a turn.  You start by saying, "1".  Your child says "2".  Then, instead of you saying, "3", you say "BUZZ!"  This is because the object of the game is to say, "BUZZ" rather than the multiple of the chosen number and 3 x 1 = 3.  Now back to your kiddo who says, "4".  You say, "5".  Your child does not say "6", but rather "BUZZ" (because 3 x 2 = 6, meaning 6 is a multiple of 3).  Play continues.  You say, "7", your child says, "8", you say, "BUZZ" [not 9, since 3 x 3 = 9].  If someone misses their opportunity and says the multiple instead of BUZZ, they have lost.  You can play to a certain number, change the object number, count down instead of up, or even play in a different language.

Here's another sample round:
Parent: "Let's play Buzz!  The number is 5.  I'll start.  1."
Child 1: "2"
Child 2: "3"
Parent: "4"
Child 1: "BUZZ!"
Child 2: "6"
Parent: "7"
Child 1: "8"
Child 2: "9"
Parent: "BUZZ!"
Child 1: "11"
Child 2: "12"
Parent: "13"
Child 1: "14"
Child 2: "15" 
Parent: "Oh no! You should have said, BUZZ! because 5 x 3 = 15, so 15 is a multiple of 5.  Child 2, you are out this round, so now Child 1 and I will continue until one of us makes a mistake.  Keep listening to make sure you keep track of who says what!"


  1. Great game! Really makes your mind work fast :)

    Following you back from, thanks for the follow! Have a great day :)

  2. Really glad I found your blog! looks like it will be one of my favorites, Im a new follower, I hope you follow back

  3. following back from A CREATIVE SPIRIT. Blogger makes me sign in anonymous. I found when I changed to the pop up box way of commenting it helped...a GREAT idea I got from another blogger. I'm at

  4. Thanks for following Mika's Pantry!
    I'm now following you back.

  5. That's a great way to learn. My two and three yr old granddaughters started as babies on the My Baby Can Read Program. It really works. I'm a new follower from Thursday Blog Hop. Doylene

  6. Great game! Keeps you on your toes!
    Hope you'll hop by and visit my blog too!
    Have a great week!