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Mental Math – Zip Code Configurations

Take turns making a math problem out of your zip code. Here are some examples using my zip code of 86004.

• Add all the numbers together = 18
• Add two digits, subtract the next, add the next, then subtract the last = 10
• Divide by two = 43002
• Multiply by three = 258012

Keep going until everyone gets brain freeze. (Note for very young members choose two digits from the zip code to add or subtract.)

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Play A Word Game – Build A Word

The object of the game is to build a word one letter at a time. The challenge of the game is that the letters of the word are named by different players in turn.

Here is how it works:

Player 1: G (this player is planning on building the word giant)
Player 2: A (this player is thinking of the word garage)
Player 3: B (this player is thinking of the word gable)

But, surprise! Player 3 has completed a word (gab) and this round is over.

If you wish to keep score, assign one point for each letter of a word completed. In the above example, player 3 now has three points. This point system can be used to reinforce skills in younger children by completing words quickly and building points. It also encourages strategy development for older players by attempting to build the longest word possible and to prevent your opponents from completing words. Don't hesitate to challenge letter additions that would lead to dead ends!

Here is how the above game could be maneuvered into a dead end:

Player 3: I (this player is thinking of the word gain)
Player 4: U (Aha! There is no word that starts gaiu!)

Player 4 would then be penalized 4 points for creating a dead end.

Not sure if a word can be built with the letters given? Test it out at Dictionary.com
Use the wildcard symbol (*) to test for words that start with the letters given. In our above example we would search gaiu*.

If all players are advanced, you might want to set a limit on how short a word can be (no one-, two- or three-letter words).