We can all remember practicing our “times tables” for hours on end to prepare for our timed multiplication tests. And while memorization is a great way to get good at multiplication, it doesn’t capture the interest of all students. Today we know that some students learn better when they are up and moving around, while others learn well when concepts are put to song, therefore we have to use a variety of activities in our classrooms to reach all students. From videos to books to crafts, this list has everything you will need to reach any student. Use the activities listed below to add variety to your multiplication lessons and reach all of your students.
Videos
1. Multiplication for Kids
This intro to multiplication video will have all students excited to learn more about this math concept. There are even some multiplication tricks at the end. The video uses objects like bikes and trading cards to make multiplication more applicable to students’ lives.
Learn More: Homeschool Pop
2. Learn 9 Times Multiplication Tables
Surely, most of us can remember the clever multiplication trick we learned in school to master our 9 Times Table. But did you know there are actually four different tricks?? Use this video to teach them all to your students (and maybe learn one or two yourself).
Learn More: Akash Vukoti
3. Basic Concept of Multiplication
This short video teaches younger students the basics of multiplication. Set the foundation for those multiplication skills with this quick intro by teaching the concepts of adding groups together.
Learn More: Kids Math TV
4. What is Multiplication?
This introductory video grabs children’s attention by showing them that multiplication is like a magic trick. Let Marco the Pencil teach them core multiplication skills.
Learn More: Rock ‘N Learn
5. Basic Multiplication
Students will love watching this cute video about a boy and a bunny trying to get carrots and how they use multiplication to get through a sticky situation. Use it to start building the foundations of multiplication.
Learn More: Smart Learning for All
6. Multiplication Song/Times Table Song
Some children are auditory learners. Use this song as an introduction to the multiplication times table. Those students who learn better by hearing concepts will appreciate this video! Your students will be singing about multiplication tables at lunch and recess!
Learn More: KLT
7. Fast Multiplication Trick
When students are ready for more complex multiplication, use this video to teach them a couple of neat tricks that will have them feeling like multiplication wizards in no time! They will be teaching their parents something new when they go home that night.
Learn More: Akash Vukoti
8. Using Finger Multiplication
Teach students finger multiplication tips using this video. Students will be amazed that they can use their hands to remember their times table for 6-10! Know your students are trying to figure out multiplication problems when you see them holding their hands sideways.
Learn More: Mind Your Decisions
9. Multiplication for Preschool Through Grade 1
Have younger students and want to introduce them to multiplication? Use this video as a quick introduction. It teaches the concept of multiplication by teaching grouping. Give students their own manipulatives to create groups while they watch the video as an extra extension to the activity.
Learn More: Maths Made Easy
10. Multiplication Rap
Start your multiplication lesson with this cute rap song about multiplication. Children will be rapping about multiplication all day and not even realize they are learning! Afternoon lull? Throw this song on again and have them get up and move around as they hear the math rap again!
Learn More: Rock ‘N Learn
11. Schoolhouse Rock! Multiplication Rock
Is any unit really complete without showing a classic Schoolhouse Rock! video? With over one million views, this video is sure to capture the attention of all of your students and get them interested in multiplication as they follow the characters through a world full of numbers.
Learn More: Boogie Finger
Computer Games
12. Math Playground
Mathplayground.com has a variety of math games for grades kindergarten through six. Like the one shown in the picture, Penguin Jump, where they answer multiplication questions correctly to jump safely to each chunk of ice. The interactive multiplication games on this site will provide hours of learning fun.
Learn More: Math Playground
13. Fun 4 the Brain
Another site with many different math games is fun4thebrain.com. In the game pictured here, students guide their tiny monsters through levels by answering multiplication equations. Students will love the fun games on this site so much they won’t even realize they’re learning!
Learn More: Fun 4 the Brain
14. Hooda Math
Hooda Math is another site with many different math games. In the Princess Math game, every time students answer a multiplication equation correctly, they dress their princess in new and fun outfits. If princesses aren’t your cup of tea, this site offers many, many more games to choose from.
Learn More: Hooda Math
15. Times Table
On Timestable.com, there are a variety of ways students can learn. They can choose which times table to work on and do math equations, or they can choose games like the one shown and race other cars as they answer multiplication questions. Each correct answer speeds their car up!
Learn More: Times Table
16. Arcademics
Another site with a plethora of multiplication games is Arcademics.com. Whether you teach grade level one or six, there is something on this site for your students. Like the cute game shown here where students can race against other Martians on hoverboards by solving multiplication equations.
Learn More: Arcademics
Interactive Activities
17. Math Power Towers
This site above offers multiple ways to create math towers with your students. Students will have fun with math as they build up their towers higher and higher. Follow the directions provided for different ways to teach this cool concept. Use this activity in one of your math centers!
Learn More: Navigating by Joy
18. Around the World Game
A game you can do with your entire class to practice multiplication is Around the World. As students answer questions correctly, they get to move around the room–or around the world. Track student progress by how far they travel around the room.
Learn More: Teach with Holly Rachel
19. Multiplication Scavenger Hunt
Looking for hands-on multiplication games? Use the attached worksheet to send your students on a multiplication scavenger hunt. As they find the different clues, they then create multiplication equations and then find the answers to “win” the scavenger hunt.
Learn More: Printables – HP
20. Multiplication Bingo
Break your class into pairs to practice using their knowledge of multiplication facts and have them play this fun multiplication bingo game. They will have fun rolling the dice, figuring out the multiplication sums of the two numbers, and blotting out their bingo boards. (Or do it as a whole class with you rolling the dice under the document camera.)
Learn More: Activity Mom
21. Multiplication War
If you are looking for fun hands-on multiplication activities for your class, Multiplication War is the perfect game for you. Follow the directions in the link above to teach your students how to play the classic card game of war with a multiplication twist.
Learn More: The After School Life
22. Multiplication Facts Jenga
If you are looking for games for multiplication practice, try multiplication Jenga. After a student successfully removes a Jenga piece, he or she must answer the equation on the game piece. Students can check each other’s answers using an answer sheet.
Learn More: Minds in Bloom
23. Class Relay Race
Looking to fill a little time but still teach using a fun activity? Active multiplication games are where it’s at! Create this multiplication relay race as a quick activity. When it comes to classroom multiplication games, this one takes very little time to set up, but it still engages all students! The first group to answer all their questions wins the relay race.
Learn More: Not So Wimpy Teacher
24. Egg Carton Multiplication Game
Use the video above as inspiration to create your own egg carton multiplication game. Kids will love this hands-on activity that has them placing the correctly numbered egg in each slot of the egg carton. Who knew an egg carton could be included in your simple math manipulatives?!
Learn More: The Imagination Tree
25. Multiplication Dominoes
Another fun game to use in math centers is this fun dominoes game. In groups of 2 to 4 players, have students practice multiplying the numbers shown on the dominoes. Add this to your repertoire of fun multiplication games to use on rainy days!
Learn More: Luminous Learning
26. Multiplication Tic-Tac-Toe
Have students review their multiplication skills by playing tic-tac-toe! Before they can dab a spot on the card, they have to correctly answer the equation. This is a fun activity to have at math centers because only two students are needed per game sheet.
Learn More: Schooltime Snippets
Picture Books
27. Minnie’s Diner: A Multiplying Menu by Dayle Ann Dodds
Full of fun rhymes and characters that are all twice as hungry as the previous, this cute book teaches multiplication in a cute, whimsical way. They will be on the edges of their seats as they wait to see how Papa McFay reacts to all his sons being lured by the sweet smells coming from Minnie’s kitchen.
Learn More: Amazon
28. The Best of Times: Math Strategies that Multiply by Greg Tang
From award-winning author Greg Tang comes a fun way to go over multiplication facts with quirky rhymes and engaging illustrations. Keep this in your library of elementary math books to use year after year to solidify those tricky math concepts.
Learn More: Amazon
29. 2 X 2 = Boo!: A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories by Loreen Leedy
With stories covering multiplication equations for numbers 1 through 5, students will be entertained by the different Halloween-themed creatures–like witches and vampires. It will be math time without students even realizing it!
Learn More: Amazon
30. The Times Machine!: Learn Multiplication and Division. . . Like, Yesterday! by Danika McKellar
This fun book with Mr. Mouse and Ms. Squirrel teaches both multiplication and division skills. Many parents tout this book as being one that has helped their children get over math anxiety by teaching simple methods to complete multiplication equations.
Learn More: Amazon
31. Multiply on the Fly by Suzanne Slade
Children love creepy, crawly bugs. Use their fascination with these creatures to teach them multiplication while also learning cool things about different types of bugs. In the end, there are other activities to engage them in learning about both bugs and numbers.
Learn More: Amazon
Fun Worksheets
32. Around the World Math
Teach geography at the same time you teach multiplication with this fun worksheet. As students figure out the multiplication questions, they will also figure out which color to color each country on the map. When they are done, they will have a color-coded map of the world!
Learn More: Mr. Nussbaum
33. Fidget Spinner Math Game
Turn multiplication worksheets into games with fidget spinners. Have students spin their fidget spinner and then answer as many equations as possible by the time it stops spinning! It puts a whole new “spin” on timed multiplication tests!
Learn More: Super Teacher Worksheets
34. Color by Number Multiplication Worksheets
Dadsworksheets.com has a ton of color by number worksheets available. The site offers different worksheets for different holidays, leaving you with plenty of materials to use all year long!
Learn More: Dads Worksheets
35. Multiplication Maze
Kids will have fun completing their mazes by finding their way from the math equations to the solutions. Have them use a different color for each different equation.
Learn More: K12 Math Worksheets
36. Spin and Multiply
Students will love spinning a paperclip to create a multiplication sentence. Then they can illustrate their multiplication knowledge and solve each. When they are finished, they can have a little extra fun and color the cute characters on the worksheet!
Learn More: Moffatt Girls
37. Circular Times Table
Worksheetfun.com offers multiple worksheets featuring circular times tables. Once students master an easier multiplication, they can move on to harder numbers, even double digits! Pass out a different one for each morning for everyday multiplication practice.
Learn More: Worksheet Fun
Crafts
38. Paper Craft: Multiplication Flower
Watch the attached video to learn how to make a cute hands-on multiplication craft. Kids can practice their fine motor skills as they go through the process of cutting out their petals and gluing the different parts of their flowers together. Then write multiplication sentences on the petals and have them find the answers. You can even hang this colorful math craft around your classroom after students are finished!
Learn More: Simis Crafty World
39. Multiplication House Math Craft
Follow the instructions at the link above to create multiplication math houses. Choose a fact family to focus on for each different house you create. Students will enjoy being creative while learning critical math skills.
Learn More: Really Good Stuff
40. Multiplication Books
Create multiplication math books with your students. The great thing about these books is that you can give advanced math students advanced math problems while those who are still struggling with the concepts can complete simpler multiplication problems in their books, and nobody is the wiser! You can even use these books as math portfolios and continually use them throughout the year for different concepts.
Learn More: Multicultural Motherhood
41. Spring Multiplication Craft
Teach children multiplication by having them glue raindrops to umbrellas! They will have fun matching the correct equations with their answers. After, you can display all of their decorated umbrellas on a math wall in your classroom.
Learn More: Free Homeschool Deals
42. Array City Activity
In the craft activity above, students go through the steps to create multiplication array cities! Struggling learners enjoy the visual representations, and all students enjoy creating their own buildings to contribute to your classroom city! Make multiplication fun for even the most resistant learners!
Learn More: Mathemativity
43. Multiplication by 8 Spiders
Recently read Charlotte’s Web? Combine reading the book about the loveable spider with creating multiplication spiders. Students will have fun using different colored beads to decorate the legs of their spiders while at the same time practicing their eights times table.
Learn More: Thriving STEM
Board Games
44. Multiplication Connect Four
Want to make multiplication more engaging? Create your own multiplication version of Connect Four, and let your kiddos have a blast while learning this essential math skill. In this mathematical take on the classic game, each slot on the game board has a multiplication problem that players must solve correctly to place their pieces.
Learn More: Pinterest
45. Multiplication Checkers
Are you ready to make a game of checkers educational? Write different multiplication problems on each square of the board, and before your learners can move their piece, they’ll have to solve the problem in that square. This fusion of fun and learning is sure to keep them engaged and excited during your next math lesson.
Learn More: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
46. Times Table Board Game
Make practicing times tables fun with a custom-made board game! This original concept encourages your kiddos to solve multiplication problems by moving around a game board to see who can reach the end first. You can throw in power-up cards with extra multiplication challenges to keep the excitement level up and increase the difficulty of the game for them.
Learn More: Tes
47. Multiplication Guess Who?
Get your thinking caps on for this all-time favorite game with a mathematical spin! Adapt the classic Guess Who game by swapping out the character pictures for multiplication problems and have your learners guess their opponent’s secret multiplication problem by asking questions about the answer. What an exciting and engaging way to test their multiplication skills and problem-solving capabilities.
Learn More: Life Between Summers
48. Mathopoly
Who will be the next multiplication tycoon? Based on the beloved Monopoly game, this twist challenges your kids to solve multiplication facts and earn points in the process. As the game progresses they’ll collect play money for correct answers and will need to pay fines for incorrect ones, all as they race to become the first person to 100 points. The game is not only fun but also a great way to reinforce multiplication facts.
Learn More: Twinkl
Tech Tools
49. Math Duel App
Who’ll emerge victorious from a math duel? This app allows two of your students to go head-to-head in a multiplication challenge. The app features different levels of difficulty, making it suitable for all the various skill levels within your class. Who will be the ultimate math champion in your classroom?
Learn More: Google Play
50. Times Tables VR App
Ready for a dive deep into multiplication? Immerse your learners in an underwater mathematical challenge where they’ll need to solve problems whilst exploring the depths of the ocean with Times Tables VR. They’ll love the opportunity to get hands-on with some cool VR tech and will boost their multiplication skills in the process!
Learn More: Google Play
51. MathBoard App
MathBoard is a fantastic tool to really nail down those multiplication drills! This app encourages your kiddies to actually work to solve the problems rather than just guessing the answers by switching up answer styles. It’s also customizable and can be adapted for each individual student. They’ll be masters of multiplication in no time!
Learn More: Apple Store
52. Mathway Online Tool
Stuck on a multiplication problem? Mathway is an online calculator that can help your students find the answer! The tool shows step-by-step solutions to help them understand the process and develop their understanding of different multiplication strategies. Before long, they’ll be clued up and will be solving these problems on their own.
Learn More: Mathway
53. Quento App
Warm up for your lesson with a brain teaser! Quento is a fun and engaging app that challenges your kiddos to create a multiplication equation from a grid of numbers, that matches the answer provided. It’s an exciting and challenging way to improve their multiplication skills and develop their problem-solving abilities.
Learn More: Google Play
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