12 Times Tables Games to Play at Home (No Kit Needed)
By the TimesTable.co team · Updated · 3 min read
Games are one of the easiest ways to sneak in extra times tables practice. The trick is choosing games with lots of quick recall (every turn should involve answering a fact) and keeping them short. Here are twelve that work for ages 6 to 11, most with no equipment at all.
Which games need no equipment?
- Fizz Buzz. Count round in turns; say "Fizz" instead of any multiple of 3, "Buzz" for multiples of 5, and "Fizz Buzz" for both. Change the numbers to target any table.
- Ping-Pong. You say a fact, your child says the answer, then they ask you one. Keep a rally going without a mistake.
- What's my number? "I'm in the 7 and 8 times tables and I'm less than 60." (56!)
- Beat the parent. Race to answer; give yourself a handicap like answering in a silly voice.
- Times tables stepping. Count up the stairs in the 4 times table, saying each multiple on each step.
Which games use dice or cards?
- Dice multiply. Roll two dice and multiply. The highest product wins the round. Use 10-sided dice for bigger tables.
- Card flip. Remove picture cards. Flip two cards; first to say the product keeps them.
- Times tables snap. Write facts on some cards and answers on others; snap when a fact meets its answer.
- Target 24. Flip four cards and use +, −, × and ÷ to make 24. Great for older children.
- Four in a row. Draw a grid of answers; roll two dice, multiply, and cover the answer. First to four in a row wins.
Which games work on paper?
- Times tables bingo. Each player writes answers from one table in a 3 × 3 grid; call out facts and cross off answers. Or play times table bingo online, which calls facts aloud.
- Race the chart. Print a fill-in-the-blank times table chart and time how long it takes to complete, then try to beat that time next week.
What about online games?
On days when you can't play along, our maths games give lots of practice: the 60-second speed drill, memory match, bingo and a times tables adventure where correct answers defeat enemies. The speed drill and adventure also feed into the same progress record as practice.
How do you make games effective, not just fun?
- Target the right table. Use the table your child is learning, plus a few known ones for confidence.
- Keep it short. Five to ten minutes, and stop on a high.
- Every turn is a fact. Games with long waits between answers give little practice.
- Ease off speed for anxious children. Cooperative games suit them better. See maths anxiety in children.
Games work best alongside a little regular practice. Our step-by-step plan shows how to fit them in.
Frequently asked questions
What are good times tables games to play at home?
Quick ones that need little or no equipment: dice multiplication, card flip, times tables snap, fizz buzz, beat the parent and 24-style target games all work well.
How can I practise times tables in the car?
Try verbal games like Fizz Buzz, Ping-Pong facts, "What's my number?" or counting in a table while spotting things out of the window.
Do games actually help children learn times tables?
Yes, when they involve lots of quick recall. Games add repetition without it feeling like drilling, which helps motivation and memory.
How long should a times tables game last?
Five to ten minutes is ideal. Stop while your child is still enjoying it so they want to play again tomorrow.
What if my child gets upset when they lose?
Choose cooperative games, give yourself a handicap, or play against a timer or their own best score instead of against you.
Are online times tables games worth using?
Good ones are, especially if they adapt to the facts your child finds hard. Mix them with offline games so practice stays varied.