Times Tables - Multiplication

Times Tables - Multiplication Analyzed by the Frivlyz team

Learning multiplication can feel much easier when a child gets an immediate chance to try, answer, and try again without the pressure of a worksheet. That is the space Times Tables - Multiplication aims to fill. I found it most useful as a short practice game for children who are beginning to build confidence with multiplication and division, rather than as a complete replacement for teaching, explanation, or guided homework.

Created by BrainSoft Apps, this free educational game focuses on times tables through interactive practice. It is rated for Everyone, runs on Android devices using version 6.0 or later, and includes optional in-app purchases ranging from $0.99 to $19.99 per item. The current version is 2.4.8, and the app has reached over one million installs with an average rating of 4.5 from around 13 thousand ratings.

What the first session feels like

My first impression is that the app is designed to get a child moving quickly. The important thing is not a long explanation before play; it is seeing a question, choosing an answer, and receiving enough feedback to understand whether the response worked. That makes the game approachable for a child who may already know a few multiplication facts but still hesitates when the numbers are mixed.

The title, Times Tables - Multiplication, makes its main purpose clear, but the broader value comes from repetition. Children often need to meet the same facts many times before recalling them automatically. A game format can make that repetition less tiring than copying a table into a notebook, especially when practice is limited to a few minutes at a time.

I would describe it as a practice companion for early arithmetic. It is not the kind of tool I would use to introduce every mathematical idea from the beginning. A child still benefits from seeing groups of objects, using counters, drawing arrays, or talking through why three groups of four make twelve. Once that understanding is present, quick questions in the app can help turn slow reasoning into faster recall.

The same applies to division. A child may be able to solve a division question by sharing objects equally, yet still need regular practice to recognize the related fact quickly. Using multiplication and division together can help connect those operations, but I would still pause outside the game when a wrong answer reveals a misunderstanding rather than simple forgetfulness.

Who will get the most from it

This game is a good fit for a child who needs frequent, low-pressure practice with times tables. It can also help a parent fill a small gap in the day: a few questions before dinner, a short session after school, or a quick review before homework. Because it is free to start, it is easier to test whether the style suits a particular child before spending anything.

I would be more cautious if the child is still learning what multiplication means. In that situation, an app that shows visual groups or gives a detailed explanation may be a better first choice. I would also look elsewhere for advanced arithmetic, written methods, fractions, geometry, or a structured curriculum. This game has a narrower job, and that narrowness is useful when expectations are realistic.

Getting ready without making it a chore

For a first-time user, I would keep the setup simple. Install the game on a compatible Android device, open it with the child nearby, and treat the first session as an exploration rather than a test. The age rating is Everyone, but younger children may still need an adult to help read instructions, understand the controls, or decide when to stop.

I would also make the purchase situation clear before handing over the device. The game is free, but optional items are available inside it. That does not make it unsuitable for children, yet it is sensible for the adult to review the purchase controls on the device and explain that the free starting experience is the one being tried first. This small step prevents a child from confusing an available option with something they must buy to continue learning.

The device requirement is modest by current standards: Android 6.0 or newer is supported. That makes the game practical for an older family phone or tablet that is no longer used for demanding games. On a small screen, I would position the device where the child can tap comfortably and read each question without rushing. The physical setup matters more than people expect; awkward tapping can look like a maths problem when it is really a screen problem.

Before beginning, I would agree on a short stopping point. For example, the child can play until they have completed a small set of questions or until they have made a few careful attempts. The goal is to finish with one clear success, not to continue until mistakes and frustration take over. This is especially important for children who interpret a wrong answer as evidence that they are “bad at maths.”

Turning the first attempt into a meaningful success

The first useful milestone is not getting every answer right. It is answering one fact correctly, noticing why it is correct, and then recognizing a related fact later. I would encourage the child to say the calculation aloud when possible. If the question is four times five, saying “four groups of five” connects the quick answer to a real quantity instead of turning the game into a memory-only exercise.

When an answer is wrong, I would avoid immediately tapping through the next question. I would ask the child to rebuild the fact using something familiar: equal groups, repeated addition, or the related division statement. For example, if twelve divided by three causes trouble, the child can think about how many groups of three make twelve. The game supplies practice, while the adult supplies the explanation that makes the practice stick.

A useful routine is to separate facts the child knows from facts that cause hesitation. I would mentally note the difficult family rather than treating every mistake as equal. If sixes are comfortable but sevens are slow, the next short session should give extra attention to sevens through conversation and examples outside the app. This prevents the game from becoming random tapping and turns it into targeted revision.

Another practical tip is to stop after a successful run instead of always pushing for a longer session. Children often remember the emotional ending of an activity. Finishing immediately after a confident answer can make the next practice session feel inviting. In my experience, regular short visits are more useful here than one long session that leaves the child tired.

How I would use it during an ordinary day

Imagine a child has homework involving multiplication arrays but keeps counting each row from the beginning. I would let the child spend a few minutes in the game first, then return to the worksheet and ask whether any of the practiced facts appear there. The point is to transfer recall into schoolwork, not to treat the app as a separate island.

Another realistic use is a quiet transition after school. A parent can sit beside the child for the first minute, ask the child to explain one answer, and then let the child continue independently if the interaction feels comfortable. That approach gives the adult a quick view of whether the problem is memory, reading, attention, or device control.

For siblings at different stages, I would avoid turning the game into a competition. One child may answer quickly because they have already memorized a table, while another may be working on understanding the meaning of multiplication. Comparing speed can damage confidence. A better measure is whether the child can explain a fact today that required help yesterday.

Where new users may become confused

The biggest possible misunderstanding is assuming that a correct answer always proves full understanding. A child can memorize a pattern and still struggle when the same idea appears as a word problem, an array, or a division question. I would use the game to spot facts that need reinforcement, then ask a simple real-world question such as how many items are in equal groups.

It is also easy for a child to focus on tapping quickly. Speed can feel like the main objective in any arithmetic game, but quick guessing is not productive practice. I would encourage a pause before answering and ask the child to estimate what the result should be. If the answer is far too large or too small, that estimation habit can catch mistakes before they become repeated habits.

Another point of friction is that a child may expect the game to teach a new table step by step. If the child does not yet understand the facts being presented, frustration may appear quickly. In that case, I would introduce only one small family outside the app, use objects or drawings to explain it, and return to the game once the child has a mental picture. The app works better when the child has something to connect the symbols to.

Parents should also decide how much help to give. Taking over every question makes the session look successful but hides what the child can do alone. On the other hand, leaving a very young learner completely unsupported can make the interface feel confusing. My preferred middle ground is to read the question once, ask the child to think aloud, and provide a hint rather than the answer.

How it compares with familiar alternatives

Compared with printed times-table sheets, this game is more engaging for children who resist repetitive writing. It gives practice a more active feel and makes it easier to fit a short session into an ordinary day. Paper still has advantages, though: it is better for showing written working, spotting number patterns across a whole table, and practicing without screen distractions.

Compared with flashcards, the app is more convenient when a child wants immediate question-and-answer practice without an adult holding the cards. Flashcards are often better for a calm parent-led review because the adult can change the wording, ask for an explanation, or return to one difficult fact immediately. The choice depends on whether the child needs independent repetition or conversation around the maths.

Compared with a broad maths-learning platform, Times Tables - Multiplication has a clearer focus. That can be an advantage for a child who only needs multiplication and division practice, because a large collection of unrelated topics may distract them. A broader platform is the better option when the family wants lessons, progress across several areas, or deeper visual explanations in one place.

I would not choose this game as the only learning resource for a child preparing for formal assessments. It can support recall, but assessment success also depends on reading questions, showing methods, estimating, and applying multiplication in unfamiliar situations. Those skills need work away from the quick-answer format.

Making the next step useful

After the first few sessions, I would look for patterns rather than chasing a perfect score. Which facts are answered confidently? Which ones produce long pauses? Does the child understand the answer when asked to explain it without the screen? These questions tell you more than simply asking whether the child “won.” They also help decide whether to continue with the game or switch to a different kind of support.

A strong next step is to connect each practiced fact to something outside the app. If the child works on fours, count objects in groups of four while setting the table. If division is difficult, share a small number of snacks equally and ask how many each person receives. These examples are simple, but they give the symbols a purpose and make later recall less dependent on isolated memorization.

I would also revisit the purchase settings after the child has used the free experience. Optional purchases may be appropriate for some families, but they are not automatically necessary for learning the core idea. I would only consider spending money if the child is using the game willingly, the practice fits a clear learning goal, and the available item addresses a real need rather than simply extending screen time.

BrainSoft Apps has kept the concept focused, and that focus is the main reason I can recommend trying it. The game has a substantial audience, with more than one million installs, and its 4.5 average suggests that many users find the approach useful. Those figures do not replace watching how one particular child responds, but they do make the app worth a practical trial for families seeking accessible times-table practice.

My final view is that this is best used as a small, repeatable part of a child’s maths routine. Start beside the child, aim for one meaningful success, talk through mistakes, and stop before practice becomes a battle. If your child already understands the idea of equal groups and needs help making multiplication facts quicker, this game is a sensible free place to begin. If they need detailed teaching, written methods, or a complete maths course, I would pair it with another resource rather than expecting it to do everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Times Tables - Multiplication, and who is it designed for?

Times Tables - Multiplication is an educational app focused on helping users learn, practice, and memorize multiplication tables through interactive exercises and repetition. It is mainly suitable for children in primary school, but it can also help parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to improve basic multiplication skills. The activities are generally easy to understand, making the app useful for beginners and learners who need extra practice.

Which multiplication tables can users practice in the app?

The app typically allows learners to practice a wide range of multiplication tables, often beginning with the easiest tables and progressing toward more challenging ones. Depending on the available mode, users may be able to select individual tables, combine several tables, or practice random multiplication questions. This flexibility makes it possible to concentrate on weak areas instead of repeating material that has already been mastered.

Does Times Tables - Multiplication include games or progress tracking?

Times Tables - Multiplication is designed to make practice more engaging than simply reading a list of equations. It may use quizzes, timed challenges, visual feedback, scores, or game-like activities to encourage regular learning. Progress features can help users see which tables they know well and where they need more work. Parents and teachers may also find these results useful when monitoring improvement over time.

Is Times Tables - Multiplication suitable for young children without constant adult assistance?

The app is generally straightforward enough for many children to use independently once they understand the basic instructions. Questions are presented in a simple format, and immediate feedback can help learners recognize mistakes and correct them. However, younger children may still benefit from occasional support from a parent or teacher, especially when learning a new table, understanding an incorrect answer, or creating a consistent daily practice routine.

Does the app require an internet connection, and are there advertisements or in-app purchases?

Whether an internet connection is required can depend on the specific version and device settings. Basic multiplication practice may work offline, while advertisements, updates, analytics, or certain optional features could require connectivity. Users should also review the app-store listing for current information about advertising, subscriptions, and in-app purchases, since these details can change. Checking permissions and purchase settings is recommended before allowing a child to use the app.