Let's face it: learning your Times Tables can be hard and boring for children. Our aim is to make it as fun and
engaging as possible, using animation which children love and bringing to life the Multiplication Table Chart. The
Multiplication Table Chart, also known as the Multiplication Table or Multiplication Chart, is a great tool to help
with mastering the Times Tables.
Why is the Multiplication Table Chart so important?
Knowing the Multiplication Table Chart off by heart reduces any anxiety around Maths.
Dividing, fractions, algebra and all sciences are pretty much impossible without knowing your Times Tables.
Brainpower is wasted trying to work out multiplication sums if children don't know them off by heart… brainpower
that could be better spent working out higher level problems.
Armed with this core knowledge, your child will find their Math's journey all the more enjoyable and manageable.
Don't forget the 12x table. It's the hardest one but arguably the most useful later in life! Most payments in adult
life are made monthly: whether a salary, a gym membership or rent.
Tantrums and Tears
Some children find learning the Multiplication Table Chart incredibly easy, while others are reduced to tears or
sulks. Then there are those who have no problems remembering but find rote-learning intensely dull which turns them
off Maths in general. At Table Fables, we use animation, games and brilliant reward systems to help children learn
their Multiplication Table Chart incredibly fast.
Tried and Tested
Children with a more visual brain absolutely connect with the Table Fables concept. Make it bright, fun and engaging
and the learning will come naturally. Humans can process visual information 60,000 times faster than words or
numbers so it's a brilliant way to teach children.
Once the Multiplication Table Chart is mastered, Maths will no longer feel like a scary or intimidating subject. And
the Table Fables way of teaching uses animation, games and brilliant reward systems that keeps kids motivated to
practise and learn. Once children are comfortable with their Times Tables they can then practise some of the games
below.
NB We would recommend children don't start playing Times Table games, on- or offline, until they are somewhat
comfortable with their multiplications. Most websites and many schools don't actually teach Times Tables, they only
test, which can be a cause of anxiety and stress. Table Fables actually teaches children their Times Tables by using
funny stories and silly characters. All wonderfully memorable and anxiety free!
Game 1: Multiplication Table Chart
Name: Rock Paper Scissors
Equipment: 2 players, 4 hands!
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Instead of putting your hands into the shape of a rock, or piece of paper, you simply extend the number of fingers
you want to display.
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On the count of 3, each player puts 3 or more fingers out. For example, player one displays 4 fingers and player
two displays 7.
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The first player to multiply 4 x 7 wins the round.
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The winner is the first player to win ten rounds.
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You can make it simpler for younger children, sticking to the 2x table with one player only displaying two
fingers.
Game 2: Multiplication Table Chart
Name: Times Table Card Game
Equipment: Two packs of regular playing cards and more than 3 players
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One player needs to be the judge. (Judge needs to know their Times Tables!) Divide the remaining players into two
lines.
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Put a pack of cards in front of each line and decide which Times Tables you are practising e.g. 7x table.
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Shout ‘GO', the first player in each line turns over the top card and they multiply it by 7 (or whichever Times
Table you are working on).
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The ‘judge' confirms they are correct. That player moves to the back of the queue and the next player turns over a
card and multiplies it by 7.
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If they get the answer wrong either the judge gives them some clues or they put the card back and move to the back
of the queue.
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All face cards like Jack, Queen and King have a value of 12. So if a Queen card is revealed, the child would do
the calculation 12x7 = 84.
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The first line to finish all the cards is the winning team.
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This can also be played with just 3 people - 1 judge, 2 players. The players keep turning the cards over and
multiplying each card until they have finished. The player who finishes the pack of cards first wins. (In case one
player is much stronger, make sure they count to 5 or 10 seconds before supplying the answer - this evens the
playing field!)
Game 3: Multiplication Table Chart
Name: Times Table Snap
Equipment: One pack of cards between 2 players
- Split the pack of cards between both players, face down.
- At ‘Go', each player turns a card over.
- The first player to multiply the two cards wins the cards. E.g. 7 of Hearts x 4 of Clubs = 28.
- Ace = 1, Jack/Queen/King = 12. E.g. Queen of Hearts (12) x 3 of Diamonds = 36.
- The overall winner is the player who collects the most cards.
Game 4: Multiplication Table Chart
Name: Round the World
Equipment: Class or group of students. Table Fables level 2 or Times Tables flash cards.
- Students sit at their desks or in a circle. Decide on a student to go first.
- The first person stands behind the person nearest them.
- The teacher reveals the first question on Level 2 or 3 of Table Fables or on a flash card.
- The aim of the standing student is to stay standing, by being the first to answer correctly.
- If the sitting student says the answer first the student switch places.
Have fun learning the Multiplication Table Chart and make sure you check out the rest of the Table Fables website,
to discover how to make learning so much more fun and rewarding.