Supporting Your Child with Times Tables at Home

Times tables are a fundamental part of your child’s mathematical development. A strong knowledge of multiplication facts helps children feel more confident in maths, work more quickly, and tackle trickier topics like fractions and division with ease.

This is especially important for children in Year 4, who will soon take the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) and Year 3, as they prepare for Year 4. This is a short, timed assessment designed to ensure children can recall their times tables up to 12 × 12 fluently. Developing this quick recall makes a huge difference—not just for the check itself, but for their overall progress in maths.

The good news is that practising times tables at home doesn’t have to feel like hard work. In fact, it can be fun, quick, and easily built into your daily routine.

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Quick and Easy Games (No Resources Needed)

These activities require no preparation and can be done anytime, anywhere:

1. Times Table Tennis
Take turns to say a multiplication fact. For example:
Adult: “3 × 4”
Child: “12”
Then swap roles. Try to keep a steady rhythm to build speed.

2. Chanting Patterns
Choose a times table and chant it together (e.g. 6, 12, 18, 24…). Try clapping, marching, or bouncing a ball to keep it engaging.

3. Quick-Fire Questions
Ask rapid questions during everyday moments—on the way to school, in the car, or at dinner time. Keep it light and encouraging.

4. What’s the Missing Number?
Say a question like “__ × 5 = 35” and ask your child to fill in the blank.

5. Beat the Clock
Challenge your child to answer as many questions as they can in 30 seconds. Try to beat their own score each time.

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Games and Activities

If you have a little more time, these activities can deepen understanding:

1. Create a Board Game
Make a simple track game where players roll a dice and answer a multiplication question before moving forward.

2. Card Games
Use a pack of cards (remove face cards or assign them values). Turn over two cards and multiply the numbers. The first to answer correctly keeps the cards.

3. Times Table Bingo
Write answers on a grid and call out multiplication questions. Your child marks off the answers—just like bingo!

4. Create your own flashcards

5. Multiplication snap or pairs

You could use flashcards that you created together to do this.

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Don’t Forget TTRS!

As part of their weekly practice, children should be playing Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS) at least three times a week. This is a fantastic online resource that helps children build fluency and confidence in a fun and engaging way.

Short, regular practice is far more effective than long sessions. Even 5–10 minutes a day can make a big difference.

Thank you for your continued support!