5 Times Table Games for Kids
The 5 times table is one of the most accessible in the curriculum — every answer ends in either 0 or 5. Despite this, 5 times table games are still valuable: children who know the sequence can often hesitate when facts appear in isolation or under time pressure, especially for the higher multiples.
SpeedSum makes 5 times table practice fast and enjoyable through timed challenges that build the automatic recall children need for tests and everyday maths.
What Is the 5 Times Table?
The 5 times table produces the sequence 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... Every answer ends in 0 or 5 — even multipliers give 0, odd multipliers give 5. This pattern makes the 5 times table one of the most predictable in the curriculum. It is introduced in Year 2 alongside the 2 and 10 times tables and has a natural real-world connection to clock faces — five minutes per number.
| Equation | Answer |
|---|---|
| 5 × 2 | 10 |
| 5 × 3 | 15 |
| 5 × 4 | 20 |
| 5 × 6 | 30 |
| 5 × 7 | 35 |
| 5 × 8 | 40 |
| 5 × 9 | 45 |
| 5 × 12 | 60 |
A selection of 5 times table facts children practise on SpeedSum.
Why Children Find the 5 Times Table Difficult
The 5 times table is generally manageable, but some children hit difficulty once they move beyond the first few facts or encounter the table in mixed practice.
- Hesitation on higher facts in isolation — children who know "5, 10, 15, 20..." fluently can still pause on 5 × 7 or 5 × 9 when asked directly
- Slow counting strategy — some children count up in 5s to reach the answer, which is too slow for the MTC
- Errors when mixed with other tables — children who practise the 5× table in isolation sometimes retrieve it slowly when 6× and 7× facts appear in the same session
Tips for Learning the 5 Times Table
- 1Use the clock connection: how many minutes is it to quarter past? 15 minutes, so 5 × 3 = 15
- 2Practise out of sequence — ask 5 × 8, then 5 × 3, then 5 × 11 — to build isolated recall
- 3Use the 0 and 5 ending rule as a self-check: any 5× answer that does not end in 0 or 5 is wrong
- 4Focus extra practice on 5 × 7 and 5 × 9 — these are most likely to produce errors
- 5Include 5× facts in mixed timed sessions to build confidence alongside harder tables
Common Mistakes with the 5 Times Table
5 × 7 and 5 × 8 confusion
5 × 7 = 35 and 5 × 8 = 40 are where many children make errors. Targeted practice on these two facts is helpful.
Counting in 5s instead of recalling
Children who always count up to the answer are practising skip-counting, not multiplication recall — which is too slow for timed assessments. Switching to rapid-recall games helps break this habit.
Losing the pattern under pressure
Some children know the 5× pattern in sequence but struggle to retrieve an isolated fact under time pressure. Regular timed practice — even 90 seconds a day — builds the automatic response needed.
How SpeedSum Helps with 5 Times Table Practice
SpeedSum is a free maths practice platform built by parents. Its four game modes target different aspects of multiplication fluency — from timed speed challenges to inverse-operation practice — so children can practise the 5 times table in several formats.
90 Second Challenge
Answer as many 5 times table questions as possible in 90 seconds. The time pressure drives rapid retrieval and helps build automatic recall.
Get to 100 Challenge
Answer 100 questions correctly at your own pace — ideal for building accuracy and confidence with the 5 times table without time pressure.
Missing Piece Challenge
Questions appear with a missing factor, for example: 5 × ? = 35. This develops inverse-operation thinking tested in the Year 4 MTC.
Traffic Light Challenge
Answer 5 times table questions before the timer runs out. The traffic light format builds fast-recall habits under rising time pressure.
Start Practising the 5 Times Table Today
SpeedSum is free to use. Create an account, add your child, and they can begin their first 5 times table session in under two minutes — on any device, with no download needed.
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