News

12 of the Best Times Tables Resources and Games for Primary Maths

Get with the times (tables) and check out some of these ideas and activities for teaching multiplication in Key Stage 1 and 2...

Lloyd Burgess

Added: 07th February 2019

Beyond buying apps on mum or dad’s iTunes account it can sometimes be hard for children to grasp the real-world potential of maths.

But we, of course, know all the famous names that have contributed to the world through numbers, equations and mathematical concepts.

There’s Newton, Pythagoras, Descartes, Archimedes, Noether, Einstein

...and then there’s Eric and Winston – Nerd Vandals:

No 4x4s were permanently harmed in the making of this video

So, if you’re looking for ways to give kids a helping hand and add some variety into teaching multiplication we’ve picked out 10 resources and games to engage your class.

1 | Maths mastery worksheets for times tables 2-10

Take a mastery approach to teaching the times tables with these nine worksheets. Beginning with the two times table, the activities and questions carefully build children’s understanding of and confidence with the times tables.

Starting with pictoral examples, the problems move on to the abstract. There are layers of challenge to support children as their knowledge of the times tables grows. Pupils will problem solve using the times tables, learn to spot mathematical patters and work with basic algebra.

The process also supports children’s understanding of the relationship between the different times tables (eg 2 and 4 times tables and 3 and 6 times tables).

Download this pack of resources here.

2 | Times tables posters

This resource contains full-page, A4 illustrated multiplication tables for numbers 2 to 9 on separate sheets, with colourful accompanying graphics that includes tractors, bees, hot air balloons and apples.

Download them all here.

3 | Two, five and ten times tables challenge pack

This Times Tables Challenge Pack provides children with a term’s worth of practice on recalling multiplication facts for their 2, 5 and 10 times tables.

The pack contains 13 sheets of 60 problems. The children can complete as many of these as possible as a timed challenge. Also included in this pack is a scorecard so that children can see how recall is improving across the term.

Download it here.

4 | Times tables bumper packs

These packs support the introduction or review of teaching the each times table to a class or group, and includes:

A PowerPoint containing

Visual Introduction – a visual explanation of how the times table uses repeated counting
Rote – practice for times table recall
Practice questions – questions on the recall of multiplication and division facts related to the times table
Investigation – Questions related to the rules of the times table and real-life problems involving the times table
A cheat sheet – reminding pupils of a rule for the times table

An activity booklet containing

A times table practice tube
3 differentiated activity sheets. These include practice, questioning and problem-solving questions. The sheet for more able pupils includes links to other areas of maths.
1 rapid-recall sheet of 60 times table questions.
1 rapid-recall sheet of 60 multiplication and division questions relating to the times table.
An investigation related to the times table.

Each pack costs £3.99, but the 7 times table pack is free if you want to see exactly what you get inside.

Check them out on Plazoom, here.

5 | Hit the Button

This quick-fire game from Top Marks can be played using times tables up to 10 or 12, focusing on one particular times table or using a mix of sums from all of them. Race against the clock to answer as many questions correctly as possible and reinforce your multiplication learning.

You can choose to be given sums to select the correct answer, or be given an answer to which you need to find the right sum. Once the same question has come up a few times you’ll notice how quickly you’ve internalised the answer.

Give it a go here.

6 | Times tables tricks videos

Having trouble getting your learners to retain their multiplication tables? Try a different approach using these videos of handy times tables tricks.

Watch them all here.

7 | Multiplication and division activities for KS1&2

NRICH is a great go-to source for mathematical activities, so here you’ll find loads for both primary key stages, such as Forgot the Numbers which explores the relationship between multiplication and division, Trebling which looks at place value and Spiders and Flies which asks how many of each minibeast there are if there are 22 legs on the web.

Click here for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

8 | Visible times tables

Help your pupils develop a solid grasp of the 1x, 2x, 5x and 10x times tables through visual indications and pattern recognition, with this lesson plan for KS2 maths and pupils with SEN, from Judy Hornigold.

Download it here.

9 | Multiplication games

This PDF features four quick and easy games for children to work on their maths skills. You’ll only need simple things like number cards and dice, so they’re quick to set up, teach, play and pack away. What more could you want?

Download the PDF here.

10 | What’s Wrong?

Well, my shoulder has been playing up, Janice in accounting took my lunch and…oh, you mean with this maths equation? Sure.

Instead of getting children to do different variations of the same sums, this KS2 flash game shows an incorrect answer and gets them to point out where the mistake lies.

Play it here.

11 | Mastering maths – multiplication and division at KS2

Mastery hasn’t been this popular since He-Man and the Masters of the Universe first hit our screens in the early ‘80s.

This resource comes as a PDF and as an adaptable word document and will push your KS2 students’ maths skills to the limits.

Download it here.

12 | Identify the Factors

These handy printable worksheets from Snappy Maths provide exercises identifying factors for numbers up to 50 and numbers up to 100, and finding the highest factor for each of these two categories. There are 5 sheets for each one too, so (20 sheets in all).

You’ll also find online activities and links to related sites.

Check them out here.

Bonus advice articles

While not resources, these features contain loads of handy ideas and advice that can help you teach times tables:

i | Help children memorise times tables by encouraging them to make connections

Want to ensure multiplication tables don’t become a sticking point?

Beth Smith is here to show you how

ii | Ten ways to engage parents in teaching times tables

Despite them being a fundamental mathematical tool, many students leave primary unable to recite times tables to 12.

This piece from helps you encourage parents/carers to get involved at home.

iii | Bring multiplication tables to life with real-world examples

Times tables are more important than just memorising sums, they can form the memorable groundwork for children’s greater mathematical understanding…if taught right.