Learning multiplication can be tricky. That’s why educators and parents need to be clever and use whatever they can to make multiplication fun and easy. One way learning multiplication fun is to use math board games.

Making math board games is easy. All you have to have is some card stock and markers and you’re set to go. The simplest game to make is the track game. For this one you just create a math board game with a track with start at one end and finish at the other end. The track can be circles or squares joined together. It might go zigzagging up the board or it might go around the edge with the start being right beside the finish.

Once you have marked the Start and Finish on your math board game, you can add some feature spaces. These are ones that say, ‘Have another turn’ or ‘Miss a go’. Some might say ‘Go forward 3 spaces’ or ‘Go back to the start’. If you want your game to have a theme, you can decorate it with the theme, for example racing cars or the jungle. The feature spaces can also have things related to the theme. You may have, ‘You have a flat tire. Miss a turn.’ on your board game with the racing car theme.

Next add some symbols to some of the spaces on the game board. These can be something like a star or can be related to the theme of your game. The jungle board may use trees or monkeys, and the racing car board might use cars. These will be the symbol to pick up a card.

On your cards you will have the multiplication facts that you want children to practice. They will have something like 9x3 or 7x5. Once the cards and the board are ready you simply need the dice (you can use one or two) and some markers. The cards are placed in a pile face down beside the board.

Each player puts a marker on the start and then the players take turns at rolling the dice. If the player lands on a feature square, they simply follow the instructions. If a player lands on a Symbol square, they pick up a card. Then they have to give the answer to the multiplication fact. If they give a correct answer, they have another turn at rolling the dice. If their answer is incorrect, they miss turn. Of course the first player to reach the finish will be the winner.

You can also get the kids involved in making the game board and decorating it. This will give them a real sense of ownership and they will be really keen to play and practice their multiplication.

Yes, making your own math board game to practice multiplication really is that easy! The best part is that this game can then be used for a variety of math skills. Just make another set of cards to practice addition, subtraction or division and you’re ready to go!