Math Games for Kids Learning Multiplication Tables

Multiplication worksheets, flashcards and drills often become boring to children, especially to those who may find math difficult. Make math interesting with hands-on games and activities that reinforce multiplication skills. Play the games as a class, with a partner or individually. Observe children as they play the games, and make notes of each student's progress.

Multiplication Top-It

Two players compete against each other in a game of Multiplication Top-It, as described on the Ann Arbor Public Schools website. Place a stack of numbered cards in the middle of the table. Players take turns drawing two cards, multiplying them together and announcing the product. The player with the highest product wins the round and keeps both players' cards. In the event of a tie, the students draw two more cards each. The winner of that round wins all four sets of cards. The game can also be played using multiplication flash cards. Players must draw one card each and recite the multiplication fact aloud, supplying the answer.

Egg Carton Multiplication

Create a multiplication game using an egg carton, as adapted from the Ann Arbor Public Schools website. Write numbers 1 to 12 inside the egg carton cups. Drop two small objects such as rocks, pennies or craft pom-poms inside the egg carton. Shake the egg carton and then open it to see where the objects have landed. Multiply the two numbers together and announce the product. Alternatively, students can write the entire multiplication fact on a sheet of paper. For an easier version of the game, use a half-dozen egg carton and label it with numbers one through six.

Who Has? Game

The Mathwire.com website suggests a multiplication game suitable for a whole group activity. Before the lesson, prepare index cards that say, "I have 48. Who has 3 x 8?" Change the numbers for each index card, making sure that every multiplication fact matches with only one product. To play the game, give each child a card and select one student to read his card aloud. The student with the matching product responds by reading her card aloud. The game continues until all the cards have been matched.

Messy Multiplication

Make math fun by allowing children to get messy. Squirt hypoallergenic shaving cream onto students' desks and allow them to spread it around. Call out a multiplication fact, and have children write the fact and the answer in the shaving cream using their fingers. If students work at painted tables or other surfaces that might stain, protect the work area by taping sheets of wax paper to the table before beginning.