#Gifted – We were gifted these games in exchange for an honest review.
It is a proven fact that the best way for young children to learn and retain is through play. Especially in those early years. Having two children at primary school, I know this works well for them. Maths I find is something that we all need to learn no matter what age and one thing I remember learning at primary is the times tables. It is learned over and over again and still taught just the same. Repetitiveness and mental maths help retain, this is why learning through play is so important. If you are looking for fun, but a great game to help your kids learn the Times Table, then you will find no better than Orchard Toys Times Table games. We have looked at two here, one for ages 5-8 and one for slightly older around 6-9. All three of my kids love playing these games, even the 13-year-old. It is great fun to play and helps turn those brain cogs to remind them now and again.
We are huge fan of Orchard Toys and have been for many years. Their sets are bright, colourful, well made and all have to learn of some description built in. They are well thought out and really do stand the test of time. I’ve had some games that all three have played with and still look brand new. They are games that I will be keeping long after my kids have outgrown. You never know one day. Do you have a favourite Orchard Game?
First Times Tables (age 5-8)
This is the first of our two games. This one is aimed at early primary and covers the 2, 5 and 10 times table. It’s a great introduction for kids or as a supplement to their school learning. It’s also just great fun to play. There are two games within the First Times Table box, the first being Introduction to Multiplication.
The game allows basic table multiplication using the pancake style cards. You see the sum and fruit on one side allowing them to try the sum off the top of their head or count the front. Once they try it, they flip it over to see the answer and if they got it correct.
There are also number lines which allow the children to visually see how the times tables jump up and break it down for all of these three Times Tables. Number lines really are a great way for kids to see the sequence in which they work.
Game two in the First Times Tables game is called Flipping Pancakes. This game is based on the same times tables as above, but you get to flip some pancakes too. It’s a lot of fun and Little Miss really enjoyed playing this game. It’s quick and can be taken about on the go.
To play this game, each player will get a dinner plate. The times table pancakes are sorted into the different types of fruit and you then spin the spinner to see what you get. The spinner arrow falls at the fruit you are picking a card for. The player then works out the answer to the sum. Once you have given your answer to the other players, you get to flip your pancake using the spatula to see if you are correct. If it is correct you get to put it onto your dinner plate. If wrong you put it to the bottom of that fruit pile.
Each person plays until there are no fruit cards left or you can set a timer for a quicker game. There are a few bumps along the way. If you spin and hit a splay with the spinner you miss a turn. The player with the most cards on their dinner plate is the winner.
Times Tables Heroes (age 6-9)
The Times Tables Heroes game also has two games within the box. This is aimed at slightly older children, those who have mastered the basic Times Tables or those who want to brush up on their mental maths. This game covers from the 1 to the 12 Times table.
The first game is Hero City Game. This game starts by picking a character to play. The different characters have different types of superpowers. There is one that can time-travel and another who has super speed when running. Once they have all chosen a character, the firsts player spins the two spinners. These give you the multiplication sum as in 1 x the other.
If the player gets the answer right, they can start to move around the board. I like that you can choose which of the Times Tables you want to play with like if Little Miss was playing we’d use the 2, 5 and 10 spinner just now, but we could use the main one. It helps when you have mixed ages and ranges of abilities. There is a fab number line that you can highlight the specific Times Table if you need help.
If you land on a shield square, the picture will show you what problem you may have to solve. You can solve this using your characters superhero powers.
The first one to get to the finish on the board is the winner. Someone is very pleased with themselves.
Game two in the Times Table Heros board game is 3 in a row Bingo. Now, who doesn’t love bingo? It’s awesomely fast and a lot of fun.
What I love about this set is that it is so versatile. Turn the Times Table Heros board game over and there you have your four bingo cards. The boards are made of thick cardboard and easy to assemble. Study too. Like the previous game, you use the two spinners to get your multiplication sum and work out the answer. You say the answer aloud and if one of the players have it they cover the answer on the number on their bingo card.
Keep going until one of you has three in a row on your bingo card. Whether that is diagonally, vertically or horizontally. The shield cards are used to cover the numbers. The player can also double-check the answer on the number line.
Like I said above we are huge fans of Orchard Toys and these didn’t fail to disappoint. If you have a child struggling with Times Tables, just starting out or keen learning these are great games to have. They are fun, there are loads of different ways to play and they are fantastic for dusting off those mental math skills yourself. I would highly recommend these. Learning through play is so much fun and rewarding too.
** Orchard Toys are still distributing online, but this may change due to current circumstances, therefore there may be a delay in delivery of your item.
Disclaimer:- We were sent through these games for the purpose of this review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ace! Really love Orchard Games, and looking for ideas for small boy’s birthday in June. Off to amazon wish list the younger one now…
They are so good. Perfect for all ages and learning through play is the best x
We LOVE Orchard games here. They are a fun way of learning and great for preschoolers. I hadn’t spotted these multiplication ones though so going to hunt them down. I have a 4 year old peculiarly obsessed with maths so he’ll love these.
They are a lot of fun. I think this is a great age for the smaller one and these games can change as they grow x