Array Multiplication Game

Arrays are a perfect way to model multiplication facts! Making them fun is what this teaching resource is all about!

This multiplication game is an ideal activity to add to your math centers for your 3rd-grade students. Students spin two custom spinners that result in multiplication facts of 2, 3, 5, or 10. They will then create an array on their game board that matches the numbers. On a recording sheet, students will write matching number sentences and the product of each.

The goal is to be the person to fit as many arrays on their board as possible. If a student cannot fit an array on their board, they get a strike and miss a turn. Three strikes, and they are out.

Through this activity, students will show they can represent multiplication as arrays and recall multiplication facts of two, three, five, and ten.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Assist students who need help understanding the concepts by reminding them that the first number in a multiplication number sentence represents the number of rows, and the second number represents the number of columns. A handy tip to remember is that “rows” has fewer letters than “columns.”

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who finish quickly, task them with ordering the number sentences from smallest to largest based on their products.

🧑‍🏫 Group Lesson (or Other Activity)

Play the game as a whole class or small group where the students verse the teacher. Model your thinking as you place arrays and the labeling number sentences.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. 

There are two game board versions: the color background option is intended to be reused (placed in a dry-erase sleeve or similar), and the black and white can be given to students individually and stuck in notebooks.

Print the instructions, spinners, and reusable gameboards on cardstock for added durability.

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardboard and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker and then erase and reuse them.

This resource was created by Beth Hindi, a teacher in Texas and a Teach Starter collaborator.