Using multiplication games in the classroom is a great way to reinforce learning. These multiplication games using cards, dice, and dominos are perfect for partner, center, and group work. You can use these fun, easy math facts practice games tomorrow to help students learn their multiplication facts. You probably already have these items in your classroom: deck of cards, dice, dominos.
1. Multiplication Go Fish Card Game
This easy game can be played with many students or with just 2 students. Shuffle cards. Deal 7 to each player. As with the rules for Go Fish, students try to get as many pairs as possible. Each time they lay down a pair, they write down the product of the two cards on a piece of paper or small whiteboard. If a student asks for a card and gets what they asked for, they lay down the pair, record the product, and get another turn. If a student asks for a card and doesn’t get it, the turn passes to the player on the right. If they ask for a card but get a different card that matches a card in their hand, the students may lay down the pair and record the product of the pair, but they don’t get another turn. The game ends when all cards have been used. If you’re going for winners, it’s the highest point total.
2. Multiplication War and Peace Card Game
This multiplication game is best with two players or two teams. Divide a deck of cards evenly between two players or teams. Cards remain face down in one stack. On “Go”, students flip their top card over at the same time. They quickly multiply the numbers on the two cards. The student who yells out the correct product first gets to keep the cards. Face cards all equal 10. Aces equal 11. The game is over when a set time is up or when cards are counted and the player with the most cards wins. To practices multiples of 12, you could assign kings or queens 12 points instead of 10.
3. Multiplication Learning Games with Dice
Multiplication games with dice can be played by many players at the same time. Start with 2 die. The first student rolls the dice, jots down on paper the two numbers that are face up, and the product of the dice. The turn then goes to the player to the right. The catch is that there’s a time limit to finding the product, and if the student is incorrect, they can’t write down the answer. You may want to start with 30 seconds to determine the product. You can make it more challenging by allowing only 15 seconds per turn. Points are awarded based on the product. Have a calculator handy so at the end of the game students can check their work and add up their totals to determine the winner.
The complexity of the multiplication game with dice increases when you bring in a third die. In this version, students multiply the numbers on the 3 dice that are face up. Students will need more time to determine the product, and you may want a calculator in the group that passes to the player who is not having the turn. This player can check the answer of the player having the turn. If the player is correct, the product of the 3 dice is recorded. Remember, the calculator is not in the hands of the student having the turn. You may want to start with 45 seconds to determine the product, but this can be adjusted based on the players involved. Make sure to have paper or whiteboards handy.
The complexity increases again when you bring in a fourth die. In this version, students multiply the numbers on the 4 dice that are face up. The catch here is that students may combine the dice any way they’d like. Students will need scratch paper and more time to determine the product, and you may want a calculator in the group that passes to the player who is not having the turn. This player can check the answer. If the player is correct, the product of the 4 dice is recorded. Remember, the calculator is not in the hands of the student having the turn. You may want to start with 45-60 seconds to determine the product, but this can be adjusted based on the skills of the players.
Another way I love to work with multiplication facts is by using songs. Simple songs help reinforce skip counting. Check out these color by number resources that all have multiplication songs for 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9. I also love using color by number pages for practice and review. Read this blog post about the best reasons to use color by number worksheets. Find a year-long color by number multiplication bundle below. You can also find multiplication and division coloring pages here.
4. Multiplication Learning Games Domino Train
Suffle the dominos face down. Each student gets the same number of dominos, all face down. You may want to start with 7. Take one domino from the remaining pieces and place it face up in the middle of the group as the starting point. The first student picks one of their dominos and places it on either end of the starting point. Remember, the student dominos remain face down. The next student picks one of their dominos from their selection and places it on either end of the train.
The object is to multiply the two touching pieces to get a product. Students will want to choose the end of the domino train to add their domino to that will give them the highest point total. So if a student puts the side of a domino that has 5 on it next to a domino that has 8, their score is 8×5, which is 40. Students record their point for each turn. The game ends when a time limit is reached or all of the dominos have been used. This may also be played with students viewing their own dominos instead of keeping them face down and selecting blindly.
5. Domino War and Peace
Students get a set amount of dominos (7 is good). Many students can play as long as you have the same amount of dominos for each player. The game is simple. Students flip their dominos at the same time to see the product of both sides. They must know the product their two sides make in order to win. (This could be played differently with students who aren’t totally comfortable with their multiplication facts. You may provide calculators or multiplication charts in this case.) The highest product wins.
If you’re running centers and want to add in the drawing of arrays, students can do so using dominos for their array numbers, dice rolling, and even cards. Learn more in this blog post about why coloring worksheets really work.
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