X Tables
Hidden Multiplication

Model Making Parts times-table story

A playful story page showing how model making parts can teach multiplication in real life.

Quick answer

Multiplication is all around us, even in the way we build and create things. When you make a model, you often use the same parts many times – and that’s multiplication in action!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to use model making parts to learn multiplication, and you will be able to solve multiplication problems using equal groups, arrays, and real-life examples from building and crafting. Success signs:
  • You can count equal groups of model parts to find the total
  • You can draw or build arrays to show multiplication
  • You can solve multiplication problems using real-life examples
  • You can explain how model making helps you understand multiplication

Why this matters

Multiplication is more than just numbers on a page – it’s how we understand how things grow, how many parts we need, and how to plan our projects. Whether you're building with LEGO, making a model car, or even baking cookies, multiplication helps you work out how many pieces you’ll need. When you understand multiplication through model making, you're not just memorising facts – you're using maths to create and solve real-world problems.

How it works

Multiplication is really about equal groups of the same thing. If you're building a model, you might need 3 wheels on each car, and you're making 4 cars. That means you need 3 wheels × 4 cars = 12 wheels in total. Let’s break it down step by step:
  1. Identify the number of equal groups (like cars)
  2. Identify how many items are in each group (like wheels)
  3. Multiply the number of groups by the number in each group
This is the same as repeated addition: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you're building a model spaceship with parts. Example 1: Spaceship Wheels You need 5 wheels on each spaceship, and you’re building 3 spaceships.
  • Each spaceship has 5 wheels
  • You're making 3 spaceships
  • Total wheels = 5 × 3 = 15 wheels
Example 2: Model House Windows You're making 4 model houses, and each house has 6 windows.
  • Each house has 6 windows
  • You're making 4 houses
  • Total windows = 6 × 4 = 24 windows
Example 3: LEGO Bricks You're building 7 towers, and each tower uses 8 LEGO bricks.
  • Each tower has 8 bricks
  • You're building 7 towers
  • Total bricks = 8 × 7 = 56 bricks

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Build a Model Village! You are a young architect and you're building a model village. You have 5 different types of buildings, and you want to make 4 of each building. Here's what you need to do:
  1. First, you choose 4 houses. Each house has 6 windows. How many windows do you need in total?
  2. Then, you build 4 shops. Each shop has 3 doors. How many doors do you need in total?
  3. Next, you make 4 schools. Each school has 10 classrooms. How many classrooms do you need in total?
  4. Finally, you build 4 parks. Each park has 5 benches. How many benches do you need in total?
Challenge: Add up all the parts you’ve used to make your village!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 3 × 4 = 3 + 4 = 7.
    Why it happens: Mixing up multiplication with addition.
    Fix: Remember that multiplication means equal groups. 3 × 4 means 3 groups of 4, which is 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.
  • Mistake: Counting the wrong number of items in each group.
    Why it happens: Not paying attention to what is in each group.
    Fix: Double-check how many items are in each group before multiplying.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to count the number of groups.
    Why it happens: Getting confused between the items and the number of sets.
    Fix: Ask yourself, “How many groups are there?” and “How many items are in each group?”

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child understand multiplication through model making by:
  • Playing with building blocks or LEGO and asking questions like, “How many bricks do you need for 3 towers if each tower has 6 bricks?”
  • Using everyday objects like fruit or toys to make equal groups and multiply them
  • Encouraging your child to draw arrays or models to show their thinking
  • Letting them create their own mini adventures using model parts and multiplication
  • Reinforcing that multiplication is about equal groups, not just memorising facts
Tip: If your child is stuck, ask them to draw the parts or build with actual materials. This helps them see the multiplication in action.

Practice questions

  1. How many wheels are needed for 6 toy cars if each car has 4 wheels?
  2. If you make 5 model boats and each boat needs 2 sails, how many sails do you need?
  3. Each model train has 3 wheels. If you make 8 trains, how many wheels do you need?
  4. How many legs do 4 toy animals have if each animal has 4 legs?
  5. If you're building 7 model houses and each house has 5 windows, how many windows do you need?
Answers:
  1. 6 × 4 = 24 wheels
  2. 5 × 2 = 10 sails
  3. 8 × 3 = 24 wheels
  4. 4 × 4 = 16 legs
  5. 7 × 5 = 35 windows

FAQ

What is multiplication?

Multiplication is a way to add equal groups quickly. Instead of adding 3 + 3 + 3 + 3, you can multiply 3 × 4 = 12.

How does model making help with multiplication?

Model making helps you see multiplication in action. When you build with parts, you're often using the same number of pieces many times, which is exactly what multiplication means.

Can I use multiplication with any model?

Yes! Whether you're building a house, a car, a spaceship, or a village, you can always count how many of each part you need and multiply to find the total.

How can I practice multiplication with model parts at home?

You can build with LEGO, make a model village, or even bake cookies and count how many ingredients you need for each batch. The more you practice, the better you get!

What if I get confused between groups and items?

It's okay to get confused at first! Draw a picture or build it with real materials. Ask yourself: “How many groups are there?” and “How many items are in each group?”