X Tables
Maths Games

4 times table games with dice and cards

Quick games using dice, cards, counters and timers to build confidence with the 4 facts.

Quick answer

You can learn your 4 times table facts quickly and fun using dice, cards, counters, and timers. These simple games help you remember the answers to 4 x 1, 4 x 2, 4 x 3, and so on up to 4 x 12.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know your 4 times table facts from 0 to 12, and you will be able to play fun games to help you remember them. Success signs:
  • You can say the 4 times table from 0 to 12 without stopping
  • You can quickly answer 4 x 7 or 4 x 11 when asked
  • You can play a game with dice and cards to practice your 4 times table
  • You can use your 4 times table to solve simple problems

Why this matters

Knowing your 4 times table helps you solve bigger maths problems faster. It’s useful for:
  • Buying things and sharing money
  • Counting how many legs animals have
  • Measuring how long it takes to do things
  • Playing games that need quick maths
  • Being ready for bigger maths like fractions and division
When you know your 4 times table, it feels like you have a superpower. You can multiply numbers quickly and easily, which makes maths more fun and less scary.

How it works

Learning your 4 times table means knowing how many 4s you have in each number. For example:
  • 4 x 1 = 4
  • 4 x 2 = 8
  • 4 x 3 = 12
  • 4 x 4 = 16
We can think of this as 4 groups of a number. So 4 x 5 means 5 groups of 4 things. If you have 5 bags, and each bag has 4 apples, you have 20 apples in total. You can also think of it as repeated addition:
  • 4 x 3 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12
  • 4 x 6 = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 24

Examples you can see

Let’s look at how 4 times table works with real-life examples. Example 1: Animals If you see 3 spiders, and each spider has 4 legs, how many legs are there?
  • 4 x 3 = 12 legs
Example 2: Pizza If you have 4 pizza slices and you eat 5 slices, how many slices did you eat?
  • 4 x 5 = 20 slices
Example 3: Football In a football game, if 4 players each score 3 goals, how many goals were scored?
  • 4 x 3 = 12 goals
Example 4: Counting If you count by 4s, what comes next after 12?
  • 12 + 4 = 16

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The 4 Times Table Treasure Hunt You are a brave explorer who needs to find a treasure. To get to the treasure, you must solve 4 times table puzzles. Each puzzle gives you a clue. 1st time: You find a chest with 4 coins. If there are 3 such chests, how many coins do you have?
  • 4 x 3 = 12 coins
2nd time: You find a map showing 4 paths. If there are 5 paths, how many paths are there in total?
  • 4 x 5 = 20 paths
3rd time: You see 4 trees. Each tree has 6 apples. How many apples are there?
  • 4 x 6 = 24 apples
4th time: You find a puzzle where 4 groups of 7 items are shown. How many items are there?
  • 4 x 7 = 28 items
5th time: You see 4 boxes, each with 9 toys. How many toys are there?
  • 4 x 9 = 36 toys
Can you solve all the puzzles and find the treasure?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 4 x 8 = 32, but getting confused with 4 x 9.
    Why it happens: Numbers close to each other can be mixed up.
    Fix: Practice with counters or draw groups of 4 to see the pattern.
  • Mistake: Saying 4 x 0 = 4 instead of 0.
    Why it happens: Some children think 4 times anything must be more than 4.
    Fix: Think of 0 groups of 4 items – that’s 0 items.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 4 x 1 = 4.
    Why it happens: It’s the simplest fact and can be overlooked.
    Fix: Use your fingers or a number line to check.

Parent and carer guide

You can help your child learn their 4 times table with these simple tips:
  • Play games with dice and cards during free time
  • Use counters or small toys to show 4 groups
  • Count by 4s together, like 4, 8, 12, 16, 20
  • Ask your child to teach you the facts
  • Use real-life situations like shopping or cooking to practice
Don’t worry if they don’t get it right away. Practice a little every day, and they’ll get better. Celebrate their progress, even if it’s just one fact at a time.

Practice questions

  1. What is 4 x 6?
  2. What is 4 x 9?
  3. What is 4 x 11?
  4. What is 4 x 3?
  5. What is 4 x 12?
  6. What is 4 x 0?
  7. What is 4 x 7?
  8. What is 4 x 4?
  9. What is 4 x 10?
  10. What is 4 x 5?
Answers:
  1. 24
  2. 36
  3. 44
  4. 12
  5. 48
  6. 0
  7. 28
  8. 16
  9. 40
  10. 20

FAQ

How can I make learning the 4 times table fun?

Use games, dice, cards, and counters. Play with your child and make it a challenge or a race to see who can answer faster.

Is it okay to use a calculator for the 4 times table?

It’s okay to use a calculator for checking, but you should know the facts by heart. That way, you can solve problems quickly and confidently.

What if my child is struggling with the 4 times table?

Try using hands, counters, or drawing groups of 4. Practice a few facts each day and celebrate small wins. It takes time to learn.

Can I use music or songs to learn the 4 times table?

Yes! Singing the 4 times table can help you remember. Try clapping or dancing to the rhythm of 4 x 1, 4 x 2, 4 x 3, and so on.

How can I check if my child knows the 4 times table?

Ask them to say the table out loud from 0 to 12. You can also quiz them with random facts. If they can answer quickly, they know it!

4 Times Table Facts
4 x 0 4 x 1 4 x 2 4 x 3 4 x 4 4 x 5 4 x 6 4 x 7 4 x 8 4 x 9 4 x 10 4 x 11 4 x 12
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48