Top 7 Mental Maths Games to Help Your Child Master Times Tables

Is there anything more dreaded in primary school homework than “learning your times tables”?

For many children, reciting numbers by rote is boring, stressful, and demotivating. Yet, we know that multiplication facts are the building blocks of almost all future maths—from fractions to algebra. If a child hasn’t mastered their 7s or 8s by Year 4, they often struggle to keep up with the curriculum.

The solution? Gamification.

By turning practice into play, we can shift the focus from “testing” to “improving.” Whether you prefer screen-free activities or interactive apps, here are the top 7 mental maths games to help your child master their times tables in 2025.

1. HiTheButton (Best for Speed & Accuracy)

We might be biased, but we believe the best way to learn is through quick-fire repetition that doesn’t feel like work. HiTheButton was built to strip away the distractions and focus purely on the maths.

Unlike complex RPG games where you spend 5 minutes walking around and only 1 minute doing maths, our platform is 100% action. Students race against the clock to hit the correct answer, building the “muscle memory” needed for instant recall.

• Best For: Daily 5-minute warm-ups before homework.
• Cost: Free.
• Why it works: The timer adds a gentle “gamified” pressure that mimics the mental state needed for exams like the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC).

2. Times Tables Rock Stars (Best for Competition)

If your child is in a UK primary school, you have almost certainly heard of “TTRS.” This platform treats maths like a rock concert. Children create an avatar, choose a rock name, and earn coins for every correct answer to buy virtual instruments.

• Best For: Competitive children who love leaderboards.
• Why it works: It uses a smart algorithm that learns which specific questions your child gets wrong (e.g., $7 \times 8$) and asks them more frequently.

3. The “Dice War” (Best Screen-Free Game)

You don’t always need an iPad to learn maths. “Dice War” is a brilliant physical game you can play at the kitchen table.

How to play:

1. You need two 10-sided dice (or standard 6-sided dice for younger kids).
2. Both players roll their dice at the same time.
3. The first person to shout out the product (multiplying the two numbers) wins a point.
4. First to 10 points wins.

• Best For: Family bonding and reducing screen time.
• Why it works: It forces “active recall” in a social setting, which reinforces memory pathways differently than digital screens.

4. Prodigy Math (Best for RPG Fans)

Prodigy is less of a “quiz” and more of a full video game. Children explore a fantasy world, cast spells, and battle monsters. To cast a spell, they must answer a maths question correctly.

• Best For: Children who “hate maths” but love video games like Pokémon.
• Why it works: The maths is the “key” to the fun, rather than the main event. It “tricks” reluctant learners into practicing.

5. Hit the Button (Classic Version)

The original classic by Topmarks has been a staple in classrooms for years. It covers doubles, halves, and division facts alongside times tables. While the interface is a bit older now, it remains a reliable tool for teachers.

• Best For: Classroom whiteboard use.
• Why it works: It’s familiar. Many children play this at school, so they feel comfortable playing it at home.

6. Multiples Bingo (Best for Visual Learners)

Bingo is a low-stress way to recognize patterns in numbers.

How to play:

1. Draw a 3×3 grid and fill it with multiples of a specific number (e.g., for the 6 times table: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, etc.).
2. The parent calls out a sum (“What is 6 times 4?”).
3. The child must find “24” on their grid and circle it.

• Best For: Younger children (Years 2-3) just starting out.
• Why it works: It removes the time pressure, allowing children to think and visually locate the answer.

7. BBC Bitesize “Guardians: Defenders of Mathematica”

The BBC always produces high-quality educational content. This game combines maths with a strategy adventure. It is highly polished and aligns perfectly with the UK curriculum.

• Best For: Weekend learning sessions.
• Why it works: The production quality is high, keeping children engaged for longer periods than simple quizzes.

Conclusion: Consistency is Key

Whether you choose the high-speed action of HiTheButton, the rock-star glamour of TTRS, or a simple game of Dice War, the secret is consistency.

Research shows that 10 minutes of daily practice is far more effective than a one-hour cramming session on the weekend. Try mixing it up: use a digital app on weekdays and a physical game on weekends to keep things fresh.

Ready to start? Click here and try our free Times Tables challenge now!