Quiet Group Games for Kids

Bizz Bizz

• Bizz Bizz is a quiet counting game. The kids sit in a circle and try to count to a given number, such as 20 or 100. Every time a kid gets a number with a 7 in it, such as 7 or 17, he has to say the word "bizz" instead of the number. If a player forgets to say "bizz," or misses the number he&'s supposed to say, he is out of the game. Alternatively, the child who misses his number is not out of the game, but instead the count starts over with the next player. The first child to reach the goal gets to create a new rule, such as "Say buzz for numbers that end with 5." The count then starts over with the original rules, plus the new rule.

Going on a Trip

• This game tests kids&' ability to remember a long list. The first child says "I am going on a trip and I&'m going to take an apple," or some other item that starts with A. The next kid in the circle says, "I am going on a trip and I&'m going to take an apple and a banana," or she adds some other "B" object. Every kid repeats the list, adding an object starting with the next letter. If a kid can&'t remember the whole list or makes a mistake, she is out and the next kid tries. In some variations, the starting phrase is something like, "I am going on a picnic and I am going to take..." or "I am going to the store and I am going to buy..." To make the game harder, leave out the alphabetical requirement.

How Many Sweets in the Jar

• How many sweets in the jar is a popular game at parties and fairs. It teaches guessing and mathematical estimation skills and has a prize built in for the winner. Fill a jar with jelly beans, chocolates or other small sweets and put a piece of lined paper and a pen nearby. Each kid can make 1 guess about the number of sweets. At the end of the night, dump the jar on the table and count out the contents. Give the jar to the child with the closest guess, or divide the goodies among the top three. To stop kids from intentionally guessing close to their friends&' numbers, place a box with a slit in the top near the jar and allow one guess at a time, along with the guesser&'s name.