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The Best Way to Practise Times Tables: How to Teach Times Tables Without the Tears
If you’ve ever wondered how to teach times tables without turning the kitchen table into a battlefield, you’re not alone. Picture this: it’s 6:30 pm, dinner’s almost ready, and your child is slumped over their homework, staring blankly at a worksheet covered in multiplication problems. You’ve tried flashcards. You’ve tried bribes. You’ve tried that one app that seemed fun for exactly two days. And still, 7 × 8 remains a mystery wrapped in an enigma.
Take a breath. This is fixable.
Times tables are one of those foundational skills that can feel impossibly boring to learn but incredibly powerful once they click. The good news? There are methods that actually work—methods that don’t involve endless drilling or nightly meltdowns. In this guide, we’ll walk through practical, parent-friendly strategies for multiplication practice that stick.
Why Times Tables Still Matter (and Why They’re Hard to Learn)
Before we dive into how to teach times tables effectively, it helps to understand why they matter so much—and why they can be so tricky for kids to master.
Times tables form the backbone of almost every mathematical concept your child will encounter. Long division, fractions, algebra, percentages—they all rely on quick, confident recall of basic multiplication facts. When a child has to stop and count on fingers for 6 × 9, the mental energy that should go toward solving the actual problem gets eaten up by the calculation.
But here’s the thing: rote memorisation doesn’t work for every child. Some kids can chant their tables and recall them perfectly. Others can recite them in order but freeze when asked a random question. And some simply can’t make the facts stick no matter how many times they write them out.
This is completely normal. Brains are different. What matters is finding the approach that works for your child.
How to Teach Times Tables Using Patterns and Shortcuts
One of the most effective ways to approach multiplication practice is to show your child that times tables aren’t random strings of numbers—they’re full of patterns.
Start with the easy wins:
- The 1s: Any number multiplied by 1 stays the same. Simple.
- The 2s: Just double the number. Most children can do this quickly.
- The 5s: Always end in 0 or 5. Count by fives like a clock.
- The 10s: Add a zero. Done.
- The 9s: There’s a beautiful pattern here. The digits of each answer add up to 9 (9, 18, 27, 36…). Or try the finger trick: hold up both hands, put down the finger for the number you’re multiplying by, and the remaining fingers show your answer.
Once these are solid, the “hard” tables—6s, 7s, and 8s—become much more manageable because your child already knows half the answers from the easier tables.
This approach takes the overwhelm out of learning 144 facts. In reality, once you remove duplicates and the easy tables, there are only about 15-20 facts that truly need memorising.
The Role of Times Tables Games in Building Fluency
Here’s a truth that might surprise you: play is one of the most powerful learning tools we have.
Times tables games turn multiplication practice from a chore into something your child might actually want to do. The key is choosing games that require recall under light pressure—enough to build speed, but not so much that anxiety takes over.
Some ideas to try at home:
Multiplication War: Use a deck of cards (remove face cards or assign them values). Each player flips two cards and multiplies them. Highest product wins the round.
Around the World: Call out multiplication problems while your child moves from room to room—or chair to chair. Get it right, move forward. Get it wrong, stay put and try again.
Beat the Clock: Set a timer for 2 minutes and see how many problems they can answer correctly. Track progress over time so they’re competing against themselves, not siblings or classmates.
Digital times tables games can also be valuable, especially when they adapt to your child’s level and focus on the facts they actually struggle with. Kiplrn offers personalised practice sessions that adjust in real time, ensuring your child spends their energy where it matters most.
For more ideas on making screen time work for learning, see our guide on Screen Time vs Learning Time: Making Tech Work.
How to Teach Times Tables Through Daily Routines
One of the secrets to learning multiplication is weaving it into everyday life—not as a formal lesson, but as casual conversation.
Try these moments:
In the car: “We need 4 bags of apples, and each bag has 6 apples. How many apples is that?”
At the dinner table: “If everyone gets 3 slices of pizza and there are 5 of us, how many slices do we need?”
During chores: “You have 7 pairs of socks to put away. How many individual socks is that?”
These micro-moments add up. They also help children understand that multiplication isn’t just a school thing—it’s a life thing.
The key is keeping it light. If your child groans, drop it. You want these moments to feel like conversation, not a quiz. Over time, the repetition builds fluency without the stress of formal practice.
Why Spaced Repetition Works for Multiplication Practice
If your child learns their 7 times table on Monday and forgets it by Friday, they’re not alone. This is how memory works—information fades unless we revisit it strategically.
Spaced repetition is a method that schedules review sessions at increasing intervals. Instead of cramming the same facts 50 times in one sitting, your child might practice them today, again in two days, then again in a week. Each review strengthens the memory a little more.
This is why knowing how to teach times tables isn’t just about the initial explanation—it’s about the follow-up. Short, regular practice beats long, occasional sessions every time.
Tools like Kiplrn use this principle automatically, surfacing the facts your child needs to review at just the right moment. Check out Kiplrn Features to see how it works.
For a deeper dive into this technique, read our article on Spaced Repetition for Kids: Make Learning Stick.
What to Do When Your Child Gets Frustrated
Maths anxiety is real, and times tables can be a trigger. If your child shuts down, cries, or says “I’m just not a maths person,” it’s time to step back and adjust your approach.
First, acknowledge the feeling. “I can see this is frustrating. Let’s take a break and come back to it.” Forcing the issue rarely helps and can create negative associations that last for years.
Second, look for small wins. Maybe your child knows most of the 3s but stumbles on 3 × 7. Celebrate what they’ve got right before tackling what’s hard.
Third, consider whether the method suits your child. Some kids need visuals. Some need movement. Some need stories. If flashcards aren’t working, try a different approach—there’s no single right way to learn multiplication.
Finally, keep sessions short. Ten focused minutes is better than thirty resentful ones.
If frustration persists, it may be worth exploring whether there’s an underlying issue. Our guide on How to Help a Child With Math Anxiety offers more detailed strategies.
How to Teach Times Tables Without Doing the Work for Them
It’s tempting, when your child is stuck, to just give them the answer. But that short-term fix undermines long-term learning.
Instead, try guiding them toward the answer:
“You know 5 × 6 is 30. So what’s 6 × 6? Just add one more 6.”
“What’s 10 × 7? Now take away one 7 to get 9 × 7.”
This approach—sometimes called Socratic questioning—helps children develop problem-solving skills and understand that they can figure things out, even when it feels hard.
It also builds something more important than times tables: confidence.
For more on this balance, see How to Help With Homework Without Giving the Answer.
Common Questions Parents Ask About Times Tables
What’s the best age to start teaching times tables?
Most children begin learning multiplication in Year 2 or 3 (ages 6-8), but there’s no single “right” age. Some children grasp the concept earlier; others need more time. The important thing is to build understanding before pushing for speed. If your child understands what multiplication means—groups of things—they’re ready to start learning the facts.
How to teach times tables when my child says they hate maths?
Start by removing the pressure. Use games instead of worksheets. Keep sessions under 10 minutes. Celebrate small wins. And most importantly, watch your own language—children pick up on how adults feel about maths. If you say things like “I was never good at maths either,” you’re giving them permission to give up. Instead, try: “Maths can be tricky, but we’ll figure it out together.”
How to teach times tables when nothing seems to stick?
If facts aren’t sticking despite regular practice, try changing your method. Some children need visual aids like arrays or number grids. Others benefit from songs or rhymes. Movement-based learning—jumping, clapping, or using physical objects—can also help. And don’t underestimate the power of spaced repetition: short, frequent sessions over weeks work better than intensive cramming.
Should I use apps and games for multiplication practice?
Yes—with some caveats. Good times tables games adapt to your child’s level, focus on weak spots, and make practice feel like play rather than punishment. Look for apps that are child-safe, don’t rely on in-app purchases, and don’t overwhelm children with distractions. Kiplrn is designed with these principles in mind. You can learn more about the safety features at Safety & Privacy.
How long does it take to learn all the times tables?
There’s no fixed timeline—it depends on the child, the method, and how often they practice. With consistent, low-pressure practice (10-15 minutes a day, 4-5 times a week), most children can achieve solid recall within a few months. The goal isn’t perfection overnight; it’s steady, confident progress.
A Final Word on Multiplication Practice at Home
Learning times tables isn’t about being “good at maths” or having some natural gift. It’s about practice, patience, and finding the approach that clicks for your child.
As a parent, your role isn’t to be the teacher. It’s to be the supporter, the cheerleader, and sometimes just the person who notices when it’s time for a break and a biscuit.
If you’re looking for a tool to make multiplication practice easier—and to take some of that pressure off your shoulders—consider giving Kiplrn a try. It’s designed to adapt to your child’s needs, keep practice engaging, and help those tricky facts finally stick. You can explore options at Kiplrn Pricing.
Remember: every child can learn their times tables. Sometimes it just takes finding the right way in.
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