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40 math games for math fact fluency

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Need another way to build math fact fluency? Try these fun printable math games – they’re free!

no prep games for math fact fluency

Let’s talk about basic math facts, shall we?

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

All math teachers agree that their learners need to develop fluency with these facts.

What is math facts fluency?

It’s the quick and effortless recall of math facts. If kids have to think for a minute before telling you that 5 x 6 = 30, they don’t have math facts fluency.

child counting

Why do kids need math facts fluency?

Here are the two most important reasons.

  • When kids know their facts automatically, they can do math more quickly. This becomes especially important in the higher grades.
  • When kids have fluency with math facts, their brains are freed up to do more complex tasks – such as mental math and problem solving.

Should I start with flash cards?

While many people begin with this step, I don’t encourage it. Instead, we need to focus first on an understanding of the math behind the facts.

Kids need to explore addition as combining or adding to.

Kids need to understand subtraction as separating or taking away.

They need to see that multiplication is repeated addition of a number, and that division is dividing a number into equal parts or groups.

If not flash cards … what?

  • I love beginning with a good book. (For example, check out this list of books that’s great for introducing multiplication.)
  • Continue with manipulatives. Even older kids who are starting to learn multiplication and division need to explore basic operations using small pieces before committing facts to memory. Some of my favorite manipulatives are teddy bear counters, 2-color counters, and unifix cubes. Small budget? Use pennies!
  • Reinforce the concept in a variety of ways. In addition to manipulatives, try number lines, ten frames, and more. Pinterest is your friend. Go search for some fun ideas! I even did some searching for you, and I found these goodies:

Build first grade math skills with legos with these tips from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls. Not So Wimpy Teacher has some hands-ways to practice multiplication. Also see Math Geek Mama’s round-up of ways to teach multiplication using arrays.

  • Vary your instruction. Do whole class lessons, work with small groups, and provide opportunities for individual practice.

Should I ever use flash cards?

Of course! In fact, I recommend it – after students have an understanding of the math behind the facts and need to commit them to memory. (And 15 in a Row is a fantastic game to play with flash cards!)

But don’t make flash cards your only method for building math fact fluency. Try my free printable games!

Free games for building math fact fluency

child playing multiplication bingo

At the end of this post, you’ll get a math games pdf with 40 printable games for practicing basic facts. As you can see in the above image, each game features a string of facts along the border.

In the center of each game is a Bingo board.

child dotting with do-a-dot marker on game

Kids move around the board with a die, name the fact they land on, and find its answer on the Bingo board. They can color or dot it (we like Do-a-Dot markers, but they can be pretty messy – I don’t recommend them for a classroom of kids).

When they have five in a row, they’re done!

These games are perfect for the classroom, homeschool, or after-school practice at home.

I hope your learners enjoy them!

Get your free math fact fluency games!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

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Reader Interactions

48 Comments

  3. AMY HARTWELL

    Anna:
    Several years ago you had a printable multiplication game available for all the facts. It was similar to connect 4 only it was multiplication facts. I am wondering if that is still available to print as I have lost some of my copies. My students love this game.
    Thanks Amy

    Reply to this comment

  4. Jessika

    Oh my goodness, I know this is an old post, but you are lifesaver once again! I have a self contained SPED room with fifteen, 3rd-5th graders. This means I have functioning levels from PK – 6th grade right now. I cannot tell you how many times I come to your site and you have exactly what I need. Thank you so much from an overwhelmed but thankful teacher!

    Reply to this comment

  5. Chandler

    Hi there! I know that that this post is from a few years ago but I just discovered it while searching for additional math centers to add when I switch grade levels. I’m not sure if I’m just missing something or if this resource is no longer available for free, but I cannot find a way to access the pdf.

    Reply to this comment

  6. Miriam

    Hello, first I want to thank you for all the freebies and the hard work you put into them. My kids and I love you games. I just downloaded the math freebie which has the addition, subtraction,multiplication, and division. My little one just found she couldn’t win bingo on the game 1 page from the multiplication bingo (×0,×1 ). There is no way to get 2. There are 3 (2×0) but no (2×1). Just wanted to bring this to your attention. We used a sharpie to do an Override ?, since I laminate the pages. Thank you again for all you do, amazing!!!!

    Reply to this comment

    • Kate Dowling

      Hi Debbie!

      This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. Please turn off your ad blocker and refresh your page. This will make all links clickable. Let us know if you still have trouble!

      Reply to this comment

  10. Cheryl

    Anna,
    Thank you so much for sharing all of your wonderful games that you have created. Right now I am teaching the addition strategies to my class. You have five games already but I was hoping to have it for all of the strategies. Would you be able to send me an editable copy. I would be happy to send back to you the games that I make. I’m looking for the strategy for “add 9 think 10″ and ” near doubles”.
    Thanks again for all of your wonderful resources 🙂

    Reply to this comment

  11. Allie

    Thank you so much for these single player bingo. My kindergartner is practically screeching with excitement it’s so fun. AND bonus he can do it ALL by HIMSELF. Great resource, thank you!

    Reply to this comment

  12. Vicki

    Hi Anna,

    I’ve just become a member and tried to download the bingo mats that use the different operative signs. For some reason, it doesn’t go to my email but just pops up on your webpage and thus preventing me from printing anything, even when I save it. Can you please rectify this problem?

    Kind regards, Vicki.

    Reply to this comment

    • Kate Dowling

      Hi Vicki!

      This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. Once the file opens up on your screen, you need to click on the download arrow in the upper right corner of your screen. You’ll have a chance to open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader for best printing. If you don’t have the latest version on your computer already, please click here to get it for free: https://get.adobe.com/reader/

      Reply to this comment

    • Kate Dowling

      Hi Brandi!

      This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. I just tested the link with my own email address. When I clicked the green box, I entered my email address when prompted. To be honest, nothing happened–but then I saw my Internet connection had gone out. (It happens where I live sometimes.) Then I closed the tab, opened the page again, and entered my email address again. The file opened right up. Please give it another try!

      Reply to this comment

  17. Claire

    I can never thank you enough for all your resources. They aren’t just beautiful and are loved by the children, but they are also excellent! You are so kind for sharing all your work with us!

    Reply to this comment

  18. Kelly

    Thank you so much for this valuable resource! It’s just what I needed! Is it possible to correct the dividing zero sheet? You can’t divide by 0. It’s undefined. It should be 0 divided by a number. I only noticed because I recently made the same mistake and someone kindly pointed it out to me. 🙂

    Reply to this comment

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