Games for Kids With Ways to Learn Multiplication Facts

Multiplication facts are the products of single-digit numbers, such as 6 x 8 = 48. These facts are usually learned through the use of times tables. Traditional teaching techniques include learning by rote memory and the use of flash cards. But you can make the learning fun and ratchet up the students' enthusiasm with some multiplication fact games.

Times Table Memory Card Game

For this game, you will need two sets of cards. One set will be times table questions and the other set will include the corresponding answers. You have as many cards as you wish up to the12 times table (144 questions). You can create the cards yourself or print them from online templates. Shuffle both stacks but don't mix them together. Lay each stack of cards face down in a grid formation. Each student takes a turn flipping over one question card and one answer card. If they match, they get to keep them. If they don't match, the cards are turned face down again and the next player takes a turn. When all cards are gone from the grids, the student with the most cards wins. This is also a good exercise for short-term memory.

Times Table Snap

Use the same set of cards from the Memory Card Game for the Snap game. This time shuffle the two decks together and distribute them evenly to the players. The cards must be kept face down in a stack. Save one card to place in the middle of the table. When it's her turn, the player takes her top card from her stack and places it on the card in the middle to begin creating a stack. When the card played matches the top card on the stack, players call "Snap!" and slap their hands on the pile. The first player to do it gets all the cards in the pile. Some matches will be obvious, such as when 24 is played on top of 24. Some will call for times table knowledge, such as when 49 is played on top of 7 x 7. Even more challenging is when 4 x 9 is played on top of 12 x 3. The player with the most cards at the end of the game wins.

Times Table Tic-Tac-Toe

This is a take on the classic game of tic-tac-toe (or naughts and crosses). Draw a tic-tac-toe grid on the chalkboard. Divide the class into two teams. One player from each team moves to the chalkboard. Call out a times table problem. The first player to write the correct answer on the board gets to put an mark (X or O) on the grid. The next players come to the board and the procedure is repeated. The first team to get three in a row (tic-tac-toe) wins the game.

Times Table Bingo

For this variation of the classic game of Bingo you will need some Bingo cards (you can buy them or create them online). Pass them out to the class. From a list of prepared times table questions, call out a problem. If a student has the correct answer on his card he must mark it with a crayon or marker. The first to get five in a row wins the game. The rows can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal.