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Time Bmb

Target English: Numbers and brain power!
Target Level: Elementary 4th to Adult

This is a great game where you really have to think. It sounds simple, but try it out with a couple of friends and see how tough, and fun, it really is!

1. Put everyone in groups of between 2 and 10 kids.


2. The first person says either "1", "2" or "3"

3. The next person continues on and can say an additional one, two or three numbers.
E.g. if the first person said "1, 2", the second person can say either "3" or "3,4" or "3,4,5"

4. Continue around the group until one person is forced to say "12". They are now out.

5. Start again from 2.


For example:


This game is really addictive, and great for motivation! But remember the golden rule, "losing doesn't mean losing, it just means you get another chance to try again!"

If your students have trouble counting to 12, try making 13 the unlucky number - this way you're teaching a bit of culture as well!! (Thanks Joanna for that tip!)



If the kids need to practise the numbers 1-12 before hand, try out the "How old are you?" song from the website, or the "What time is it?" song from CD vol. II

I got this game idea from Trudy, thank you very much!


Readers' Comments

Seems like it might be good for teaching months of the year as well, say December you lose.  That way you can use it with slightly higher level students.

by Neil


Great game this, I use it often to warm up. In my version, if a students says TWO numbers, the direction is reversed. If they say THREE numbers the next student is missed out. After a while the kids get into throwing each other false glances, pointing at the wrong person in order to draw out a 'foul'. We continue up until 21. The student who has to say 21 receives a penalty (up to you!). It's fun because the kids always try to get the smartest kid to say 21, and he loves the challenge!

by Chris Moore

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