Number bonds are one of the most fundamental building blocks of primary maths. In this guide, we explain what number bonds are, why they matter, and how Hit the Button can help KS1 children master them.
What Are Number Bonds?
Number bonds are pairs of numbers that add together to make a target number. For example, number bonds to 10 include 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6 and 5+5.
Why Are Number Bonds Important?
Rapid recall of number bonds is essential for mental maths fluency. Children who know their bonds instantly can tackle addition, subtraction and even multiplication much faster.
Using Hit the Button for Number Bonds
Select Number Bonds from the topic menu and choose your target number — to 10, to 20, or to 100. The game presents one part of the bond and challenges children to click the correct missing number.
Looking for the best free maths games for KS2 pupils? We have tested and reviewed the top 10 online resources recommended by UK primary school teachers in 2025.
1. Hit the Button (hithebutton.co.uk)
The UK’s favourite quick-fire maths game. Covers times tables, number bonds, division facts, doubling, halving, square numbers and fractions. Completely free, no login required. Works on whiteboards, tablets and laptops.
2. Times Tables Rock Stars
Excellent for building multiplicative fluency with a rock-music theme. Subscription required for full school features.
3. Mathsframe
Huge variety of curriculum-aligned games. Many free, some require subscription.
4. BBC Teach – KS2 Maths
High-quality video lessons and interactive activities from the BBC.
5. Topmarks
Curated collection of maths games including the original Hit the Button.
The Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) is a statutory assessment taken by all Year 4 pupils in England in June each year. This guide explains what parents and teachers need to know for 2025.
What is the MTC?
The MTC tests whether pupils can recall times tables up to 12 × 12 accurately and quickly. Children have 6 seconds per question and answer 25 questions in total.
How Hit the Button Helps
Our timed mode mirrors the MTC format closely. Set the difficulty to Hard and select All times tables — this replicates the conditions children will face in the real check.
Top Tips for MTC Preparation
- Practise every day for 10–15 minutes from January onwards.
- Focus on the 6, 7, 8 and 9 times tables — these are statistically the most frequently tested.
- Use Hit the Button in Practice Mode as well as Timed Mode.
- Celebrate progress, not just scores — confidence matters.
Hit the Button is one of the most popular free maths games for KS1 and KS2 children in the UK. In this guide, we explain everything parents need to know about using Hit the Button to improve times tables recall.
What is Hit the Button Times Tables?
Hit the Button Times Tables is a quick-fire maths game where children are shown a multiplication question — for example, 7 × 8 — and must click the correct answer from nine large circular buttons as fast as possible.
Which Year Groups Benefit Most?
The game is most beneficial for children in Year 2 to Year 6 (ages 6–11). Year 4 pupils preparing for the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) benefit enormously from the timed 60-second mode.
How to Use Hit the Button at Home
- Start with a single times table your child finds tricky — for example, the 7× table.
- Play on Easy mode first for confidence, then progress to Medium and Hard.
- Aim for 10 minutes a day — research shows this significantly improves recall speed.
- Track your best score and try to beat it each session!
