6 Times Table Games for Kids
The 6 times table is often where multiplication practice becomes genuinely difficult. There is no simple trick that makes the 6s instantly accessible — it requires real memorisation. Regular 6 times table games are one of the most effective ways to build the recall children need before the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check.
SpeedSum offers focused game modes that can target the 6 times table specifically, helping children make steady progress through short daily practice sessions.
What Is the 6 Times Table?
The 6 times table produces even multiples: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30... All answers are even numbers. A helpful strategy is connecting the 6 times table to the 3 times table: 6 × n is always double 3 × n. For example, 6 × 7 = 42 because 3 × 7 = 21 and 21 × 2 = 42. The 6 times table is introduced in Year 4 as children work towards knowing all facts up to 12 × 12.
| Equation | Answer |
|---|---|
| 6 × 2 | 12 |
| 6 × 3 | 18 |
| 6 × 4 | 24 |
| 6 × 6 | 36 |
| 6 × 7 | 42 |
| 6 × 8 | 48 |
| 6 × 9 | 54 |
| 6 × 12 | 72 |
A selection of 6 times table facts children practise on SpeedSum.
Why Children Find the 6 Times Table Difficult
The 6 times table is consistently rated one of the most difficult by primary school children. Unlike the 5s, 10s, or even the 3s, there is no obvious shortcut.
- No standout pattern — the 6 times table answers have no consistent ending digit, making pure recall essential
- The 6 × 6, 6 × 7, 6 × 8, 6 × 9 cluster — these four facts are closely spaced and frequently confused
- The "double the 3s" strategy requires a secure 3 times table, which not all Year 4 children have fully automated
Tips for Learning the 6 Times Table
- 1Build on the 3 times table: if your child knows 3 × 8 = 24, they can work out 6 × 8 = 48 by doubling
- 2Learn the hardest cluster together: 6 × 6 = 36, 6 × 7 = 42, 6 × 8 = 48 — these three facts are worth drilling specifically
- 3Point out that all 6× answers are even as a quick self-check
- 4Practise 6× facts in random order, not just reciting 6, 12, 18, 24
- 5Keep sessions short and daily: 5 minutes of focused game-based practice is more effective than a 30-minute drill once a week
Common Mistakes with the 6 Times Table
6 × 7 and 6 × 8 confusion
6 × 7 = 42 and 6 × 8 = 48 are the most commonly confused adjacent facts in the 6 times table. Drilling these two side by side — and emphasising the 6-fact gap — helps distinguish them.
Using the 3× strategy incorrectly
Children who use the "double the 3s" approach sometimes double the wrong number. Checking that the 6× answer is always larger than the 3× answer is a useful safeguard.
Forgetting 6 × 6 = 36
Square facts like 6 × 6 = 36 cannot be reached by commutativity from a different table. Specific repetition of this fact separately from the rest of the 6× table helps it stick.
How SpeedSum Helps with 6 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 6 times table in several formats.
90 Second Challenge
Answer as many 6 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 6 times table without time pressure.
Missing Piece Challenge
Questions appear with a missing factor, for example: 6 × ? = 42. This develops inverse-operation thinking tested in the Year 4 MTC.
Traffic Light Challenge
Answer 6 times table questions before the timer runs out. The traffic light format builds fast-recall habits under rising time pressure.
Start Practising the 6 Times Table Today
SpeedSum is free to use. Create an account, add your child, and they can begin their first 6 times table session in under two minutes — on any device, with no download needed.
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