Free x4 and x8 times tables bingo game to print and play

With the current curriculum, children are expected to be fluent in all times tables facts up to 12 x 12 by the end of year 4. They are expected to be able to answer any times tables within just 3 seconds.

It takes time to learn times tables and develop fast, fluent recall. Learning them by rote can help children remember them, but many struggle to recall multiplication facts out of sequence. Having a variety of different ways to practice them helps embed learning.

Simple games like bingo are perfect for building times table fluency. They are pressure-free so children can build their confidence whilst having fun playing a familiar game.

I made this bingo game for one of my learners who was confident with the 4 times table but said she “didn’t know her 8s” and was clearly feeling anxious about them. When she identified that the 8 times table was double the 4 times table, I introduced this game. We played it at the start of our sessions for a few weeks and she quickly became quicker and more confident.

• 1 die
• 10-15 counters each (alternatively, laminate the game board and use dry-wipe pens or use buttons/coins etc as counters)
• 1 game board for each player – you can play with the same board or different boards

• Players place a counter anywhere on the outside circles
• Choose who will go first
• Take turns to roll the die and move clockwise
• Answer the question
• Find the answer on the bingo board and cover it with a counter
• The first player with 5-in-a-row is the winner!

• Model using a range of multiplication vocabulary. E.g. four times eight, four lots of eight, four multiplied by eight, four eights
• Make a mental note of ‘tricky’ tables to focus on

You can make various changes to make this game easier or more challenging. Here are a few suggestions:

• Provide a multiplication grid or a list of tables that they can look at for support
• Remind them to use tables that they already know. E.g. 3 x 8 is the same as 8 x 3
• For answers that are in both the 4 and 8 times tables, ask how many 4s or 8s make that answer. E.g. if they land on 4 x 4 and answer 16, ask them how many 8s make 16
• Make some deliberate mistakes when it’s your turn, ask your child to play at being a teacher and spotting your mistakes

Children learn times tables through lots of repetition and practising in different ways. Always remain patient and positive and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. If they get a fact wrong, ask them how they got their answer. This will help you to see what methods they are using.

I LOVE seeing kids using my activities and games. If you want to share your pictures of Positive Primary Kids resources ‘in the wild’, tag me on Instagram @positiveprimarykids or Facebook @positiveprimarykidstuition