Free Games to Help Kids Learn Multiplication

An Overview of Elementary Multiplication

Your third grader will be introduced to multiplication and will begin learning to multiply a 1-digit whole number by a multiple of ten, in the range of 10-90. In fourth grade, your child will use his knowledge of multiplication to solve word problems and to determine factor pairs for whole numbers. In fifth grade, your child will be gain fluency in her multiplication and begin to multiply decimals through the hundredths place. Hands-on activities, as opposed to rote memorization, are often a more successful way to help children with multiplication facts.

Flashcard War

For this game, you only need a set of multiplication flashcards. Place the stack of flashcards upside down, and turn over the flashcards one at a time. The first player to yell out the correct answer wins that card. At the end of the game, the player with the most cards wins. Depending on your child's ability level, you can create more difficult flashcards that require players to find the missing number in a multiplication problem, such as 3 x ? = 12. (The answer is 4.)

Multiplication Bingo

Before beginning this game, create a bingo card with answers to multiplication facts. Write a variety of multiplication problems on index cards and provide your child with dry macaroni noodles to mark his card. Call out a multiplication problem and have your child mark his card if the product is shown. The first player to get five in a row wins. To adjust this game, write the multiplication facts on the bingo card and call out the answers instead.

Create a Fact

Encourage your child to have some fun while learning multiplication facts by creating original songs, rhymes or stories. This will be especially helpful for the facts your child has trouble remembering. Keep in mind that your child will be more likely to remember the fact if she creates a song, rhyme or story that is humorous. For example, 'I had two eights, they fell on the floor, when I picked them up, I had 64.'