Multiplication Games

Each day I will choose a question I received on Instagram and write a blog post about it. One student on placement had asked for suggestions for multiplication games so I have shared some simple ideas below. The only aspect I didn’t enjoy when teaching 6th class was the maths. I found it so difficult to make it fun and hands on. I know the new maths curriculum helps greatly with this but still, there’s only so much that can do too! As a teacher, I know that keeping students engaged in maths can sometimes be a challenge at the senior end. Whether you’re teaching the basics or reinforcing multiplication skills, games can be a fantastic way to make maths more exciting for students.

Multiplication Bingo is so easy to adapt for multiplication. Instead of numbers, you fill the bingo cards with multiplication problems (like 4×5 or 8×3). As you call out the answers (20, 24, etc.), students mark off the corresponding squares. The first one to get a full row or column wins! It’s a great way to review facts in a fun, competitive way.

Multiplication Battle : You’ll need a deck of cards, each player draws two cards at a time. They then multiply the two numbers and compare their answers. The person with the higher number wins the round and keeps the cards. The game continues until all the cards are gone, and the player with the most cards wins! It’s a quick, interactive game that reinforces multiplication facts. All you need to do is stock up on a few decks of cards!

Times Table Race:This game is perfect for getting kids moving while practicing multiplication. Divide the class into teams and give each team a set of times table cards (you can just write these out yourself). The goal is to race to match multiplication problems with their answers. For example, match 6×7 with 42. You can set up a relay race style competition or just time them to see who can finish the fastest. Not only does this build speed, but it also helps with recall.

Multiplication Memory: Make a set of cards where one card shows a multiplication problem (like 7×8) and the other shows the answer (56). Lay the cards face down, and students take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to match the problem with its correct answer. This game helps reinforce memory and fact fluency, and it’s easy to adjust for different skill levels.

Roll and Multiply: Grab a dice and some paper. Each student rolls the dice, then multiplies the two numbers together. For example, if they roll a 3 and a 5, they’ll multiply 3×5 and write down the answer (15). You can play this individually, in pairs, or even in teams. To add a bit of a challenge, set a timer and see how many rolls they can get through in a minute. It’s a simple game but super effective for drilling multiplication facts.

Speed Multiplication Challenge: If you want to give your students a bit of friendly competition, hold a speed multiplication challenge. Create a set of multiplication problems and set a timer for one minute. Each student writes down as many answers as they can. At the end, see who answered the most questions correctly. This can be done individually or as a class-wide competition to see who can get the highest score. It’s simple, but it gets those multiplication facts to stick!

Multiplication Jenga: Write multiplication problems on each block of the Jenga tower. When a student pulls a block, they must solve the multiplication problem written on it before placing it on top of the tower. If they answer incorrectly, they have to put the block back, and the next player gets a turn. This is a great way to combine critical thinking with physical activity, and it adds an element of fun.

Multiplication Pictionary: This one’s great for visual learners! Write multiplication problems on slips of paper (such as 4×6 or 9×3). One student picks a slip and has 30 seconds to draw a picture that represents the answer of the multiplication problem. For example, for 4×6, they might draw six groups of four objects, like apples or stars. The rest of the class has to guess the answer to the multiplication problem based on the drawing. It’s a fun, creative way to reinforce multiplication facts and get students thinking about numbers in different ways.

I really hope this post helps some teachers out there! I’ll be back tomorrow with a new one!

Valerie

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