The Best Multiplication Games for Learning Times Tables

Published:
February 21, 2022

Abby Banks

Contributor:
Abby Banks

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Teaching math in homeschool can be a challenge, so why not use multiplication games to encourage active learning? Take a look at all the hands-on activities you can effortlessly include into your homeschool day, or even on the weekends. Your kids will be having so much fun, they might not realize they’re also learning their multiplication tables.

wooden multiplication game with text overlay The Best Multiplication Games for Learning Times Tables

What is a Fun Way to Teach Multiplication Facts?

Hands-on activities are always a great idea for engaging kids in learning. Math is especially tricky because it can sometimes be hard for kids to understand the concept of multiplying right from the start. But once they are able to use manipulatives and other kinesthetic resources, it usually becomes much easier. Repetition is important in teaching math facts. But of course, the repetition needs to be fun! That’s where games come into play.

Skip Counting

Skip counting is an excellent way to start teaching multiplication facts. Then, create some multiplication fact family cards to have on hand for review. You can grab a few cans of play-doh or some buttons for a colorful way to teach multiplication facts.

Just arrange them into arrays so your kids can visualize 2×3, or two rows of three, for example. Make fact cards and see if they can create their own arrays to visually show the multiplication fact. Time tables test sheets are a great help too!

Teaching Multiplication with Games

Learning basic multiplication facts can be dry and boring with games. Some popular games like bingo and dice can be used to create your own games. Just have your kids roll the dice and then multiply the numbers to find the product. You could even print some unifix cubes worksheets and play a multiplication game with the colorful cubes. You could also use BINGO cards to practice multiplication.

Math Fact Cards

You can use a normal deck of math fact cards and also use them to play games in your homeschool. For example, you could write answers on construction paper and scatter them on the floor, then have your child choose a math fact out of the pile and jump to the correct answer.

These are two other classic games that you might already have on hand where you can use the game pieces to review multiplication equations.

Multiplication Jenga

Another fun game to try would be multiplication Jenga. Just write math facts on all the pieces and your kids must successfully solve the math problems on the Jenga piece in order to keep it.

Multiplication Twister

How about multiplication Twister? Just write multiplication problems on each dot of the spinner and the product in the circles on the mat! This is a great way to learn to multiply numbers and have fun doing it.

Benefits of Teaching Times Tables with Games

When kids can learn with games and other hands-on ways, they’re much more likely to retain the information. Action games that engage their whole bodies are excellent – think of things like multiplication hop scotch or multiplication soccer ball.

Younger students will be able to understand the concept of multiplication much better when you can use games. Even simple toys you have around the house – like a pile of Legos – can be used to visually demonstrate how to multiply.

Using Math Games

Did you know that if you are able to engage multiple senses in your child’s learning, they’re more likely to master math? That’s why using games in your homeschool math routine is beneficial to kids.

Some of our children just don’t learn well with a pile of worksheets. But when they can engage in a game, their multiplication skills grow and they’re even able to understand problems at higher difficulty levels. Plus, while your kids might whine about another pile of worksheets, they’ll likely be enthusiastic about playing a game to brush up on math skills.

What are Some Multiplication Games?

Interactive games are a great option for your homeschool. Your younger students can learn their multiplication facts through playing a game with an older sibling who still needs a good review option.

Multiplication games can also be great for your homeschool co-op, as the entire class can sometimes participate. Fun multiplication games can make the difference between struggling with math concepts to understanding them and being a confident math student. 

Multiplication Games

Check out this huge list of math games that will encourage your kids to reinforce the essential math skill of multiplication.

Multi Clash Addition & Multiplication Board Game

Ages 7+ | 2-4 Players

Multi Clash game

Take a break from boring flash cards and play the Multi Clash Addition & Multiplication Board Game instead! Your kids will have a blast rolling two sets of dice, then adding each set together and multiplying the sums to find the product. Once they mark the answer on the board, they’ll try to get four in a row before another player steals their spot. Great for all ages, from just learning multiplication to older kids who want a fun way to review.

Multiplication Slam

Ages 8+ | 1 Player

Multiplication Slam game

Educational Insights Multiplication Slam is a portable and travel friendly option for taking your multiplication review on the go. Your child will be able to compete against himself and try to beat his previous score. These games are timed and will engage your kinesthetic learns as they slam the correct answers to multiplication facts. Incorrectly answered problems are recycled until your child answers correctly, so there’s a great built-in mastery component to this game.

Multiplication Master Electronic Flash Card

Ages 7+ | 1 Player

Multiplication Master game

Learning Resources Multiplication Master Electronic Flash Card is a fun way for your kids to race against the timer and see how many multiplication problems they can answer correctly in 60 seconds. For those of you with kids that don’t love to race against the clock, there’s also an untimed setting option. This is a perfect game for a third grader who is just learning their facts.

Multiplication & Division Bingo Game

Ages 9+ | 3-36 Players

Multiplication Bingo game

This exciting classic Bingo Game will help your kids master their math facts through 12, plus they’ll learn the inverse relationship between multiplication and division. This game is a great option for co-op classes. Ideal for teaching 3rd to 9th grade. You can play this with a small group of friends in co-op.

Multiplication Splat!

Ages 9+ | 2-6 Players

Multiplication Splat! game

Do you have a wiggly kid who just can’t stand to do worksheets? This game would be a perfect option for them! As the caller reads each multiplication answer aloud, players scan the cards in front of them. If a player has a matching problem, he says “Splat!” and flips the card over. The first player to flip over all of his cards wins. Three color-coded decks make it easy to adapt Multiplication Splat! for one-on-one practice or multiple players.

Multiplication Dominoes

Ages 6+ | 1-4 Players

Multiplication Dominoes

Here’s a great visual way for your kids to reinforce multiplication concepts – Multiplication Dominoes! Perfect for one child to play or add in a sibling or two for more fun engaging with math sentences.

Pet Me Multiplication and Division Game

Ages 8+ | 2-4 Players

Pet Me game

Kids will love Logic Roots Pet Me Multiplication and Division Game! In this game, they’ll go on a pet park adventure where they feed dogs, cats, and parrots. Kids will master multiplication and division facts along the way as they win hearts and adopt the animals at the pet park.

Rainbow Multiplication Table Fidget Toy

Ages 8+ | 1 Player

Rainbow Fidget Toy

Combine the fun of a pop fidget toy with learning your math facts on a multiplication table, and that’s what this Rainbow Multiplication Table Fidget Toy is all about! Your kinesthetic learners will absolutely love using this manipulative. Includes multiplying from numbers 1-9. Plus, this is a great game to take on the go.

Multiplication Swat!

Ages 6+ | 1-4 Players

Multiplication Swat! game

Your kids will have a blast as they swat the color-coded flies to answer multiplication facts! They’ll have to watch out for obstacles including fly spray sticky toast, and more. Multiplication Swat! Includes practice with the 2-12 times tables.

Monster Sock Factory

Ages 7+ | 1-4 Players

Monster Sock Factory game

Logic Roots Monster Sock Factory Multiplication and Division Game is a board game with math integrated in each step. Kids help cute little monsters dispatch warm socks to everyone in a snow filled valley. There are beginners level and adaptable rules to make it suitable for younger players too. 

Tri-FACTa 

Ages 8+ | 2-4 Players

tri-FACTa game

The unique triangle board and individual numbers cards used in Learning Resources tri-FACTa Multiplication & Division Game are perfect for building math fact families. Kids will build agility with numbers, strengthen conceptual math thinking, and understand the relationship between multiplication and division.

Lakeshore Multiplication Machine

Ages 7-11 | 1 Player

Multiplication Machine

The self-directing and self-checking Lakeshore Multiplication Machine is great for independent, skill-building practice. Your kids will be able to learn multiplication with numbers 1-9 with this classic game.

Wooden Multiplication & Math Table Board Game

Ages 3+ | 1 Player

Wooden Math Table

The ROBUD Wooden Multiplication & Math Table Board Game is a fabulous Montessori-style math manipulative to help your kids learn their multiplication facts. The front of each block shows the math problem and the answer is on the back, so your kids can check the results themselves. Manipulatives-based math games are excellent for engaging struggling learners.

Dice Games for Multiplication Mastery

Ages 7-11 | 2 Players

Multiplication Mastery Dice Game

Dice Games for Multiplication Mastery includes 66 activities to improve fact fluency. Your kids will have fun practicing multiplication facts from 2 through 12. This game includes 33 double-sided cards with varying levels of difficulty. This set includes six different dice games with eleven different variations for each game. Each game includes a card focusing on a specific multiplication fact from 2 to 12.

Math Movies and Shows

Sometimes it’s helpful for your children to watch a movie about math and see how it really is relevant to real life. The fact is, we need to know math to function as a successful adult. Math movies and shows can help sense of the why we need to learn math. There are even some math YouTube channels that can prove helpful. 

Image and text 13 Math Movies and Shows That Are Family Friendly Kids floating with a laptop and text 18 Top YouTube Math Channels for Kids

Free Printable Multiplication Games

Free Multiplication Practice with Superheroes – What better way to motivate your learners to practice multiplication facts than to do it with superhero-themed sheets? Includes facts from 1-12 and word problems. 

Math Cut & Paste: Multiplication & Division – This hands-on math unit includes 10 multiplication activities and 10 division activities. You’ll be happy to know there’s also an answer key, so your kids can check their own work.

Free Skip Counting Printables & Cheat Sheets – Learning to skip count is the best way to master multiplication facts. This free pack of cheat sheets will become a staple in your homeschooling math resources pile.

Free Multiplication and Division Resources – You’ll find everything you need to teach multiplication to your kids, including worksheets, charts, fact family resources, cheat sheets, games, and activity ideas.

Color by Number Math Worksheets – Your kids will have a lot of fun practicing basic facts using multiplication color by number worksheets.

In Conclusion

If your children are struggling to remember math concepts, whether it’s multiplication and division, or addition and subtraction, games can be a great way to reinforce concepts and help them understand. When things get difficult when it comes to math, games can help students refocus in a hands-on way. Try it – you just might be surprised how well it works!

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