Math Game Monday: Scrambled Times Tables

If want to drill multiplication math facts, this game is one of my favorite ways to practice.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!

Scrambled Times Tables

Math Concepts: multiplication facts, times tables.

Players: any number.

Equipment: pencil and paper, optional printed blank hundred chart.

Set-Up

A scrambled times table is just like a regular times table, except the numbers at the top and along the side are all mixed up.

Print a blank hundred chart or draw a 10×10 grid. Draw the multiplication symbol in the top left corner.

The free 50-page PDF Hundred Charts Galore! file features printable 1–100 charts, 0–99 charts, bottom’s-up versions, multiple-chart pages, blank charts, game boards, and more.

How to Play

Write the numbers two to ten in the squares along the top and down the left-hand side, as above. But don’t write the numbers in counting order. Mix them up.

Can your child fill in the products on the scrambled chart? Each square should be the product of the numbers in the top and left-hand squares.

Be sure to let your child scramble a chart for you to solve, too.

Variations

For a more advanced puzzle, instead of writing numbers at the top and side of your chart, just write in several of the products. To solve this puzzle, your child must use those clues to decide where the scrambled factors go before he or she can fill in the rest of the chart.

For Further Play: In addition to making your own scrambled times tables for each other to solve, you may enjoy Iva Sallay’s blog Find the Factors. She offers a wide variety of puzzles rated from easy (level one) to challenging (level six), many with fun themes to encourage play.

• findthefactors.com