How to Help Your Child Learn Multiplication Tables Through Play

Why Multiplication Feels So Daunting

"I just don't get it," your child sighs, head buried in their hands, multiplication chart crumpled at their side. If this feels familiar, you're not alone. Around ages 7 to 10, many children hit a wall with multiplication. It's abstract, repetitive, and—let's face it—not very fun when approached with drills and worksheets alone.

But what if we turned it into a game? What if instead of sighs and stress, learning times tables felt more like playtime than punishment?

Why Playing Works Better Than Preaching

Children learn best when they're engaged emotionally, physically, and cognitively. Play is the natural medium for this kind of engagement. Games create a context where making mistakes becomes part of the fun, not a failure. Repetition, so crucial in memorizing multiplication, becomes part of the rhythm of the game—like a catchy tune they can’t stop humming.

I met a dad recently whose 8-year-old daughter, Zoé, struggled intensely with her 6s and 7s. Instead of pushing flashcards, they invented a game using chalk and their patio tiles: each tile became a number, and Zoé would jump from product to product based on rolled dice. Within a week, she went from confusion to confidence—and lots of giggles in between.

Make It Physical: Movement Supports Memory

Young children often retain information better when learning is tied to physical movement. So the next time you feel like sitting your child down for 'serious math time,' try standing them up instead.

Here are a few playful, movement-based ideas:

• Use hopscotch to match multiplication pairs and their products.
• Throw a ball back and forth, saying one number of the table with each throw ("3", "6", "9", etc.).
• Set up a scavenger hunt where each clue is a multiplication problem leading to the next.

These aren’t just distractions—they’re strategic tools. When kids engage multiple senses, they build stronger neural connections. That translates to better recall during homework and in the classroom.

Make It a Story: Let Them Be the Hero

Children don’t just want to learn; they want to live what they learn. Turning multiplication into a narrative can make it stick far better than a worksheet ever could. That’s where storytelling-based tools can work magic.

Imagine your child listening to an adventure story where they are the brave knight Rayan or the clever explorer Inaya, solving multiplication puzzles to defeat dragons or unlock ancient ruins. Some educational tools—even a certain clever app—can now transform lessons into personalized audio adventures using your child's name, making learning feel special, exciting, and deeply personal.

Let them listen in the car, before bedtime, or even while drawing. And if your child learns better through listening, audiolessons can be a gentle way to review without the usual battle.

Make It a Game: Friendly Competition and Challenges

Once your child knows the basics, you can bring in challenges that bring out their inner competitor—constructively.

Try multiplication bingo, card games like War (but with products instead of single numbers), or time-based challenges where they try to beat their own high score. Cooperative games are also a fantastic option, especially if you have more than one child. We’ve written about cooperative learning games that don't just help children learn, but help siblings connect, too.

When kids compete constructively or work toward a shared goal, learning becomes a social and emotional experience. That makes lessons more meaningful—and more memorable.

Make It Part of Everyday Life

Math isn’t just a subject—it’s a language woven into everyday life. Use the world around you to reinforce multiplication tables in gentle, playful ways.

Involve your child when shopping: "We need 4 packs of juice and each one has 6 bottles—how many is that in total?" Or hand them 5 rubber ducks in the bath and ask, “If each duck bought 3 fish, how many fish would they have?”

Even quiet play can be productive. As discussed in this guide to quiet, brain-friendly activities, calm moments can be valuable times for consolidating what they’ve learned—without overwhelming them.

Keep It Consistent, Not Exhausting

Playful learning still benefits from a light structure. A daily 10-15 minute rhythm—whether a game, a story, or a movement-based challenge—can be more effective than an hour-long "cram" once a week.

And don’t forget your secret weapon: opportunistic review. When your child finishes a homework session, or even just bumps into trouble at school, take a quick photo of the lesson. Some apps will turn it into a 20-question quiz tailored to that exact content – perfect for a quick round of revision without digging out extra worksheets. A lifesaver during tired evenings.

You’re Not Just Teaching Tables—You’re Building Confidence

Helping your child learn multiplication tables isn’t really about memorizing numbers—it’s about feeling capable, clever, and unafraid of mistakes. Play helps unlock that confidence. It says, “You’ve got this,” without needing to speak the words.

And in those small, joyful moments—whether it’s a victory dance after shouting “8 times 7 is 56!” or giggling through a math-themed scavenger hunt—you’re not just supporting your child's education. You're nourishing your relationship. And that counts for more than any quiz score.

Need inspiration for more fun at home? Our article on educational activities for siblings is packed with ideas that blend bonding and brainpower.