If you’ve got an 8-year-old like me, you’ll know how much times tables take over at this age. My daughter is right in the middle of learning them, and we’re spending lots of time making sure she feels confident with multiplication. It’s such an important skill for all the maths they’ll tackle as they move forward, but it can also feel overwhelming for kids if it’s not approached in a fun way.
I started looking into the best resources, from apps to websites and even games, to help her practise, and I thought I’d gather them here to share with other parents.
Hopefully, this list will save you some searching and give you a good mix of options to try at home.
Our Free Times Table Game
While I was researching all the different apps and websites to help my daughter practise multiplication, I noticed that many of the good ones require a subscription or a one-off payment.
That’s totally understandable, but I wanted to create something simple and free that parents could use without worrying about costs. So I put together our own online times tables quiz, which you can play right here on the blog. It covers all the tables from 1×1 to 12×12, with practice and quiz modes to make it fun and flexible for kids.
Times Tables Rock Stars
This one is a favourite in many schools, and for good reason. Times Tables Rock Stars turns multiplication practice into a rock concert theme, with kids earning coins as they play and being able to upgrade their rock star avatars. It’s engaging and competitive, and kids can play against themselves, friends, or even the whole class. Some schools provide logins for free, but parents can also subscribe at home for around £7.20 per year.
Hit the Button
Available both as a website and an app, Hit the Button is a quick-fire game where children answer as many multiplication (and division) questions as they can within a time limit. It’s super simple but very addictive, which makes it great for short bursts of practice. The website version is free, and the app is around £3.
Prodigy Math
Prodigy is a full maths adventure game, but it includes times tables practice woven into its quests and challenges. Kids love it because it feels like they’re playing a video game, but all the progress is linked to maths learning. There’s a free version with plenty to do, and a paid premium membership starting from about £6 per month which adds extra customisation and rewards.
SplashLearn
SplashLearn has a wide selection of maths games, including dedicated times tables practice. It’s colourful and interactive, and the app adapts to your child’s level as they progress. Parents can track progress through the dashboard. Free to use with some limitations, or you can subscribe for full access.
Math Bingo
For kids who enjoy bingo, this is a fun way to mix things up. Math Bingo covers multiplication along with addition, subtraction, and division, so it’s versatile for siblings at different stages. It’s available as a low-cost app (around £2.50) and works well for short practice sessions.
BBC Bitesize
Completely free and accessible online, BBC Bitesize has great times tables games, quizzes, and worksheets. It’s a brilliant option if you prefer not to spend money but still want high-quality resources. Kids can practise at their own pace, and there are video explanations too.
Math Seeds
Math Seeds is part of the Reading Eggs family, so if your child has enjoyed those, this might be a natural next step. It covers a wide range of maths topics, including times tables, through interactive lessons and games. There’s a free trial, and then subscriptions start from around £6.99 per month.
Multiplication.com Games
This website has been around for years and is still a treasure trove of free games focused entirely on multiplication. There’s a big variety, so if your child gets bored of one, there are plenty more to try.
Times Fables
Times Fables takes a really different approach by using funny stories and cartoons to help children remember their times tables. Each number pair is turned into a character or a silly scenario, which makes the facts stick in kids’ minds without endless drilling. It’s not an app, it’s a book and many parents say it’s been a breakthrough for reluctant learners.
Numberblocks
If your child loves Numberblocks, you’ll be glad to know that some of the newer episodes focus directly on multiplication and times tables. “Times Tables Squad” and “Super Rectangle” are especially helpful. Since it’s available free on BBC iPlayer (UK) or YouTube, this can be a great screen-time option that still feels fun and familiar.
YouTube Songs – Hopscotch and More
There are loads of times tables songs on YouTube, and the Hopscotch channel is one of the best. Their videos cover each multiplication table in a catchy, musical way, which can be brilliant for auditory learners. Singing along while tidying up or driving is such an easy win for extra practice.
MathsFrame
MathsFrame is a teacher favourite in the UK, with plenty of interactive games and the well-known Multiplication Tables Check simulator. Kids can get used to the exact style of questions they’ll see in the Year 4 test. Some activities are free, and full access is around £10 per year.
EdShed – MathsShed
Here in Wales, many schools use EdShed’s MathsShed platform. It has quick daily practice games, quizzes, and reward systems that kids enjoy. If your school provides a login, it’s free for families, but you can also subscribe individually.
Squeebles Times Tables
Squeebles is a fun app series that’s very popular for spelling and maths. The Times Tables version gives kids quizzes to unlock cute characters called Squeebles, which really motivates them to keep practising. It’s a paid app, usually around £3, but no subscriptions are needed.
What Age Should Kids Know Their Times Tables?
In the UK, children are expected to know all of their times tables up to 12×12 by the end of Year 4 (around age 9). Many schools now use the multiplication tables check in Year 4 to assess this. That’s why ages 7–9 are often a big focus period, but it’s fine if your child takes a little longer. Confidence and understanding matter just as much as speed.
What’s the Best Way to Learn Times Tables?
The best way usually involves a mix of methods. Some kids thrive on apps and digital games, others do well with traditional repetition, and most benefit from a combination. Short, regular practice sessions tend to work better than long drills. Turning times tables into songs, rhymes, or games can also make them easier to remember.
Benefits of Memorising Times Tables
Once kids have their times tables securely in memory, it opens the door to so much more maths. Multiplication underpins division, fractions, algebra, and problem-solving, so fluency here saves a lot of mental effort later on. It also boosts confidence – children who feel quick with their times tables are more likely to feel positive about maths overall.
Screen-Free Ways to Practise Times Tables
If you’d rather step away from screens, there are loads of simple and fun options. Flashcards are still very effective, and you can even make your own together. Times tables songs are great in the car, and clapping or chanting games make it active and memorable.
Board games like multiplication bingo or snap can also be easy wins. And of course, weaving times tables into everyday life, like working out groups of items while shopping or cooking, helps kids see the point of what they’re learning.
More Math Resources for Kids
We’ve shared lots of maths printables and activities here on the blog, from fun worksheets to hands-on games. Here are some of our favourites to explore with your children.
- Boost Math Skills with Our Free Printable Daily Math Question Calendar
- Free printable math graph paper PDF
- LEGO Duplo Number Line for Addition and Subtraction
- Free Printable Blank 100 Chart And 100 Chart Worksheets
- Free Printable Space and Planet Color by Number Multiplication
If you found this list helpful, please share this post with other parents – it might just save them hours of searching for the right resources too!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.