X Tables
Times Tables Real Life

Insect Legs 6 times table adventure

A story-led page turning insect legs into a junior adventure for practising the 6 times table.

Quick answer

Insects have 6 legs, so if you see 1 insect, that’s 6 legs. If you see 2 insects, that’s 12 legs. If you see 3 insects, that’s 18 legs. You can count in 6s to work out how many legs any number of insects has – that’s the 6 times table in action!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use the 6 times table to work out how many legs different numbers of insects have. Success signs:
  • You can count in 6s up to 72
  • You can multiply 6 by any number from 0 to 12
  • You can solve problems like “How many legs do 5 bees have?”
  • You can see how insects use 6 legs to help them move

Why this matters

Learning the 6 times table helps you solve real-life problems quickly. When you see a group of insects, you can work out how many legs they have without counting each one. This is useful for science, nature, and even games. It also helps you do better in maths at school.

How it works

Insects have 6 legs. So when you have more than one insect, you can multiply the number of insects by 6 to find the total number of legs. Let’s start with 1 insect:
  • 1 insect = 6 legs
  • 1 × 6 = 6
Now try 2 insects:
  • 2 insects = 12 legs
  • 2 × 6 = 12
And 3 insects:
  • 3 insects = 18 legs
  • 3 × 6 = 18
You can keep going like this to find how many legs 4, 5, 6, and more insects have.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are on a nature walk and you find different numbers of insects. Here’s how to work out how many legs they have. Example 1: 1 insect
  • 1 insect has 6 legs
  • 1 × 6 = 6 legs
Example 2: 3 insects
  • Each insect has 6 legs
  • 3 insects = 6 + 6 + 6 = 18 legs
  • 3 × 6 = 18 legs
Example 3: 5 insects
  • 5 insects = 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 30 legs
  • 5 × 6 = 30 legs
Example 4: 7 insects
  • 7 insects = 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 42 legs
  • 7 × 6 = 42 legs
You can also use a number line to help you count in 6s.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Insect Legs 6 Times Table Hunt You are a young scientist on a mission to count the legs of insects in your garden. You have found 12 insects. How many legs do they have altogether? Step 1: Count how many insects you found.
  • You found 12 insects
Step 2: Each insect has 6 legs.
  • 1 insect = 6 legs
Step 3: Multiply the number of insects by 6.
  • 12 insects × 6 legs = ?
Step 4: What is 12 × 6?
  • 12 × 6 = 72 legs
Step 5: You counted 72 legs in total!
  • Great job, scientist!
Now try this challenge: What if you found 9 insects? How many legs would that be?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 6 × 6 = 36, but forgetting that 6 × 6 = 36.
    • Why it happens: This is actually correct! But sometimes children mix up 6 × 6 = 36 with 6 × 7 = 42 or other facts.
    • Fix: Practice the 6 times table with flashcards or games to get it memorised.
  • Mistake: Counting 6 legs for each insect, but then counting each leg individually.
    • Why it happens: Children get confused between counting insects and counting legs.
    • Fix: Use a visual like a drawing or array to show groups of 6 legs.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 insects = 0 legs.
    • Why it happens: It’s hard to imagine having no insects.
    • Fix: Explain that if you have no insects, you have no legs. 0 × 6 = 0.

Parent and carer guide

You can help your child learn the 6 times table by:
  • Playing a quick game: Say a number from 0 to 12, and ask them to multiply by 6.
  • Using insects in nature walks to count legs.
  • Using objects like counters or blocks to make groups of 6.
  • Practising skip counting in 6s: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72.
  • Using a times table chart to show the pattern.
If your child gets stuck, encourage them to draw a picture or use real items to help them count.

Practice questions

  1. How many legs do 4 insects have?
  2. How many legs do 10 insects have?
  3. How many legs do 6 insects have?
  4. How many legs do 8 insects have?
  5. How many legs do 11 insects have?
Answers:
  1. 4 × 6 = 24 legs
  2. 10 × 6 = 60 legs
  3. 6 × 6 = 36 legs
  4. 8 × 6 = 48 legs
  5. 11 × 6 = 66 legs

FAQ

What insects have 6 legs?

Most insects, like bees, butterflies, ants, and beetles, have 6 legs.

Why do insects have 6 legs?

Insects have 6 legs to help them move, climb, and find food. It helps them stay balanced and move fast.

How can I practice the 6 times table?

You can practice by counting in 6s, using objects like blocks or counters, or playing games with a friend.

What if I forget the 6 times table?

You can use repeated addition (like 6 + 6 + 6 = 18) or skip counting to help you.

Can I use the 6 times table for other things?

Yes! You can use it for anything that comes in groups of 6, like eggs in a carton or pencils in a pack.

6 Times Table Facts
Number of Insects Legs per Insect Total Legs
0 6 0
1 6 6
2 6 12
3 6 18
4 6 24
5 6 30
6 6 36
7 6 42
8 6 48
9 6 54
10 6 60
11 6 66
12 6 72