Make practising doubles facts a buzz-worthy experience with our Busy Bee Doubles Game! This fun, hands-on activity is the perfect way to build fluency with doubles while engaging students in strategic thinking and friendly competition. Designed for pairs of students, this versatile game promotes active learning, number fluency, and mathematical reasoning in an exciting, interactive format.

Students use dice or number cards to generate numbers, double them, and then find and cover the corresponding number on the game board. The goal is to be the first player to connect five hexagons in a row - or any other magic number you choose! With two different versions of the game board included, this resource is easily adaptable to suit a range of learners and skill levels, making it ideal for use across your maths program.

Whether you’re introducing doubles, consolidating existing knowledge, or offering an engaging revision activity, Busy Bee Doubles Game is a flexible resource that students will love. The game format naturally encourages repeated practise and mathematical discussion, helping to deepen understanding and improve recall of these important number facts.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Develop fluency with doubles facts (1-6 and 1-10)
• ✅ Strengthen understanding of multiplication as repeated addition
• ✅ Build number sense and mental maths skills
• ✅ Promote strategic thinking and mathematical reasoning
• ✅ Foster collaboration and positive maths talk through gameplay

What’s Included:

• Busy Bee Doubles Game board (version 1-6)
• Busy Bee Doubles Game board (version 1-10)
• Teacher notes with tips for use and variations

Materials Needed:

• Printed game boards (preferably laminated or placed in write and wipe sleeves for reuse)
• Dice or number cards (1-6 or 1-10, depending on chosen game board)
• Coloured pencils or markers (if playing with paper version)
• Counters or tokens (if using laminated version or write and wipe sleeve)

How to Use:

1. Print the desired version of the Busy Bee Doubles Game board.
2. Decide whether students will use dice or number cards to generate their numbers.
3. Place game boards in write and wipe sleeves (if using counters) or provide printed copies for students to colour with pencils.
4. Students take turns rolling the dice or drawing a card, doubling the number, and covering or colouring the corresponding number on the game board.
5. The first player to connect five hexagons in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins the game. Adjust the target number of connected hexagons to vary the challenge.
6. Encourage students to discuss their strategies and doubles facts as they play.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during small group maths rotations to reinforce doubles fluency.
• 💡 Incorporate into early finisher activities for meaningful, independent practise.
• 💡 Offer as a warm-up activity before introducing related concepts such as near doubles or multiplication.
• 💡 Pair students strategically to promote peer teaching and collaborative learning.
• 💡 Use the game as part of a maths games day or celebration to keep fluency practise fun and engaging.

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Laminate the game boards or use write and wipe sleeves to maximise durability and reusability.
• 💛 Provide a class set of counters in different colours so that players can easily distinguish their moves.
• 💛 Model the game with the whole class before introducing it as an independent or small group activity.
• 💛 Encourage students to verbalise their doubles facts as they play to reinforce learning and support number sense.

Busy Bee Doubles Game is a flexible and engaging way to help students master doubles facts and build strong number foundations. Its playful format makes it a valuable addition to any maths classroom, supporting fluency, strategy, and a love of learning!