To practise multiplying three single-digit numbers together and explore strategies for grouping and simplifying calculations.
📦 What You’ll Need
A set of digit cards (Uno works well, or make your own 0–9 cards)
A wild card (to represent zero, so children can practise multiplying with zero)
Paper and pencil/whiteboard and pen
🧠How to Play
Shuffle and deal: Shuffle the digit cards (including the wild cards) and place them face down in a pile.
Pick your numbers: Turn over three cards. These are the numbers you will multiply together.
Record your possibilities: Write down the different ways you can multiply the three numbers. For example, if you picked 2, 3, and 4, you might write:
2 × 3 × 4
3 × 4 × 2
2 × 4 × 3
Group to help: Look at how grouping numbers differently can make multiplying easier (e.g., 2 × 5 × 4 is easier if you do 2 × 5 = 10, then 10 × 4 = 40).
Solve it: Calculate the answers to each multiplication.
Reflect: Discuss or write down what you notice. For example:
Does the order of multiplication change the answer?
What happens when zero is one of the numbers?
Which grouping makes the calculation easier?
🌟 Variations & Challenges
Speed Round: See how quickly you can solve your three-number multiplication.
Swap One Card: Keep two of your numbers but replace the third to see how your answer changes.
Prediction Challenge: Before calculating, predict which grouping will be easiest and check your thinking.
Zero Twist: If you pull the wild card (0), discuss why the answer is always zero, no matter the other two numbers.
📚 Educational Benefits
Reinforces understanding of commutativity (the order of operations does not change the result).
Builds fluency with single-digit multiplication facts.
Encourages children to spot patterns and explain mathematical reasoning.
Provides opportunities to practise multiplying with zero.
Develops confidence in handling multi-step calculations.
