Times Tables Games That Make Multiplication Practice Fun

Published 3 July 2026 by GamesMom Editorial Team

Learning times tables does not have to mean long evenings of flashcards and sighs. Children still need lots of practice to know their facts by heart, but that practice can be a game. A child who groans at a worksheet will happily play round after round of a game that uses the same facts.

This guide shares times tables games for kids that work online, at the kitchen table and in the classroom. You will also find a simple weekly plan for learning one table at a time and tips for keeping practice positive.

Why games work for times tables

Knowing times tables by heart takes repetition. A child needs to recall each fact many times, over many days, before it becomes automatic. Games make that repetition enjoyable, so children practice more.

Games also give instant feedback. On a worksheet, a child might write that 7 times 8 is 54 again and again before anyone checks it. In a game, the mistake shows up straight away, and the correct answer takes its place.

And games take the pressure off. When the goal is to beat your own score or win a round of cards, a wrong answer feels like part of the game rather than a failure.

Online times tables games

Focused table practice

The times tables practice lets children pick one table and answer quick questions about it, with the correct answer shown if they get stuck. Focusing on one table at a time is far less overwhelming than practicing all of them at once.

Matching games

Some children prefer matching to typing answers. In the matching games, children pair a multiplication fact with its answer, like 6 times 4 with 24. It is calmer than a race and still builds recall.

Speed rounds

Once facts are coming along, a timed round builds confidence. In the quick math game, children race the clock to answer sums. The only score that matters is their own last one.

Card games for times tables

A regular deck of playing cards turns into a great times tables game. Remove the face cards, or count jacks as 11 and queens as 12.

Multiplication war

1. Split the deck between two players.
2. Both players flip a card at the same time.
3. The first player to say the correct product of the two cards wins both cards.
4. The player with the most cards at the end wins.

For younger children, use only the cards from ace to 5 at first.

Product match

1. Deal six cards face up in a row.
2. Call out a product, such as 24.
3. Players race to find two cards that multiply to make it, like 4 and 6 or 3 and 8.
4. Replace the cards and call a new product.

This game is great practice for division too, because children think backward from the answer.

Around the table

1. Pick a times table, such as the 7s.
2. Take turns saying the next fact in order: 7, 14, 21, 28.
3. If someone makes a mistake, start again from the beginning.
4. See how far the family can get without a slip.

Dice games for times tables

Dice are quick and portable. Use real dice or a dice roller on a screen.

• Roll and multiply. Roll two dice and multiply the numbers. The first to say the answer scores a point.
• Target number. Pick a target, like 30. Roll three dice and try to use two of them to get as close to the target as you can.
• Double trouble. Roll one die and double the number, then double it again. It builds the 2s and 4s tables.

Active games for the classroom

Movement helps restless children focus.

• Stand up for the answer. Call out a fact. Students stand if they know the answer and sit down when someone says it correctly.
• Times tables relay. Teams line up at the board. Each player writes the next fact in a table, then passes the marker.
• Ball toss. Toss a soft ball to a student and call a fact. They answer, then toss it to someone else with a new fact.

Printable practice to go with the games

Games work best alongside a little paper practice. Printable times tables flashcards are handy for car rides and quick reviews, especially for the few facts your child finds hardest.

A multiplication chart helps children see patterns, like how the 5s always end in 5 or 0. Our multiplication chart teaching guide shows how to use a chart before moving on to memory practice.

A simple weekly plan

Focus on one table each week. This plan keeps practice varied.

• Monday. Look at the table on a chart and skip count out loud.
• Tuesday. Play a matching game or a card game with the new table.
• Wednesday. Try an online practice round and a speed round.
• Thursday. Mix the new table with ones your child already knows.
• Friday. Play a family game and celebrate what your child has learned.

Start with the easier tables, like 2, 5 and 10, then move to 3, 4 and 11. Leave 6, 7, 8 and 9 until your child feels confident. For tricks to help with those tougher tables, see our times tables practice guide.

Tips for keeping practice positive

• Keep sessions short. Five to ten minutes a day works better than a long session once a week.
• Stop while it is fun. End with a win so your child wants to come back tomorrow.
• Focus on personal bests. Compare today’s score with last week’s, not with a sibling’s.
• Talk about patterns. Point out that in the 9s up to 9 times 10, the digits of each answer add up to 9, like 36 for 9 times 4.
• Celebrate each table. A sticker chart with one space per table gives children a clear sense of progress.

Why it is worth the effort

Knowing times tables by heart makes later math much easier. Division, fractions, area and many word problems all rely on quick multiplication. A child who knows their facts can focus on the new idea instead of stopping to work out 6 times 7.

For more math games across every skill, visit the math games section.

For practice matched to each grade, see the math practice for kids hub.