Activities for learning times tables

Activities for learning times tables

We want children to be able to recall table facts as quickly as possible. Below are a range of activities that can be played at home to help learn times table facts.

Fizz Buzz

This requires a group of people. Select a times table that you are going to replace with the word fizz, then another that you are going to replace with buzz. Agree the order you are going to count up in and then start at 1.

For example if fizz was for every number in the 4x table and buzz was 6x table the counting would go as follows: 1, 2, 3, fizz, 5, buzz, 7, fizz, 9, 10, 11, fizzbuzz, 13, etc.

If you say the number instead of fizz or buzz then you’re out.

Times Table Aerobics

Choose a times table and action that you are going to do and then recite it together. For example if learning the 3 times table you would do the following:

Say ‘1’ and lift left arm in the air

Say ‘times 3’ and lift right arm in the air

Say ‘is 3’ and clap hands together and jump

Continue actions throughout the times table.

You can decide on the moves to make them more exciting and it makes learning tables by rote a lot more fun!

Clapping chant

Similar to the above, but clap hands together, click fingers or lap clap whilst reciting a given table. For example:

Lap clap Hand clap Left click Right click Hand clap Hand clap

Two times seven is four - teen

Fastest Finger

In pairs put hands behind back and after 3 pull them out with any number of fingers held up. Multiply your fingers with your partners. 1st one to answer gets a point. Play until get to a given number. To make it easier, just use 1 hand.

Bingo

Game requires at least 2 players and a caller. On a piece of paper draw a grid with 6 boxes on it. Then give time to fill it in with 6 numbers from a given times table. Caller then would say certain questions from that table. As the players work out the answers they cross out any numbers they have and the first one to complete their grid calls bingo.

Splat

Game requires at least 2 players and a caller. The players stand back to back and take 3 paces away from each other. The caller says a calculation such as 4 x 5 and once the child has worked out the answer they turn round on the spot and say splat and the answer. 1st one to do it gets a point then they take their starting positions and go again.