Learning multiplication facts can be very challenging for young children. Children gain a certain confidence from understanding and mastering multiplication facts that can be leveraged to master other math skills. There is a new video game by a company, Tinman Learning, called Arithmemouse Times Tables that is focused on teaching children this one important skill– time tables facts 0-12.

Gameplay:

The player plays as a little “robot mouse” navigating 11 levels (2-11). Each level represents a set of times facts for a given number. (Though 0 and 1 do not have their own levels, 0 and 1 questions are in the other levels, and “tip mice” offer the player multiplication rules for multiplying with 0 and 1.)

The controls are simple, with arrow keys for direction and space bar for jumping. The player starts at “Times Academy” and selects which times facts to practice. There is a review of times facts before the questions start. Required arcade skills are minimal, with very light puzzle and obstacle challenges. Absent in Arithmemouse Times Tables are life meters and virtual deaths for failure. It touts itself as a nonviolent game focused on learning and it is.

The game is bright with cheerful music. The robot mouse has some charm and the worlds are the same– both equally engaging for children in my opinion.

System Requirements:

As of this writing, it’s a Windows only game. It looks like just about anything with an integrated graphics chip will work or an older machine with a graphics card. It’s always a good idea to try demos of game before making purchases to see if it runs well on your machine. You can give the demo a try at this link. http://www.arithmemouse.com/demo.html