How to Improve Mental Math: 8 Strategies for Kids
Mental math is the ability to work out answers in your head, quickly and flexibly. It isn't about being a human calculator. It's about knowing a handful of key facts by heart and having a few clever strategies to combine them. Children with strong mental math tend to feel more confident in class, because they can follow the new idea instead of getting stuck on the arithmetic.
Start with the building blocks
Almost every mental strategy relies on two sets of facts: number bonds (pairs that make 10, 20 and 100, such as 7 + 3 and 64 + 36) and times tables. If these are slow, mental math will feel like hard work. A few minutes a day on our Number Bonds or Times Tables Challenge games makes a big difference.
8 strategies worth teaching
| Strategy | Example |
|---|---|
| 1. Make ten | 8 + 5: take 2 from the 5 to make 10, then add 3 → 13 |
| 2. Doubles and near doubles | 7 + 8 is double 7 plus 1 → 15 |
| 3. Add or subtract 10, then adjust | 46 + 9 = 46 + 10 − 1 = 55 |
| 4. Split into tens and ones | 34 + 25 = 30 + 20 and 4 + 5 → 59 |
| 5. Count up to subtract | 82 − 67: from 67 to 70 is 3, then 70 to 82 is 12 → 15 |
| 6. Round and adjust | 199 + 45 = 200 + 45 − 1 = 244 |
| 7. Double and halve | 5 × 18 is the same as 10 × 9 → 90 |
| 8. Split a multiplication | 7 × 14 = 7 × 10 + 7 × 4 = 70 + 28 → 98 |
Teach one strategy at a time and let your child use it for a week before adding another. The aim is for them to have a small toolbox and choose the right tool for each question.
Talk about how, not just what
When your child gives an answer, ask “How did you work that out?” There's often more than one good way, and explaining their thinking helps them notice which strategies are quickest. Share your own methods too: “I did 50 minus 20, then took away 3 more.” Hearing an adult think out loud is one of the best ways children pick up new strategies.
Build speed gently
Once a strategy is secure, a bit of friendly time pressure helps facts become automatic. Our Speed Math Challenge asks as many questions as possible in 60 seconds. Encourage your child to beat their own best score rather than compare with others. If timed games cause stress, drop the timer and focus on accuracy first. Some children are anxious under time pressure, and that's fine.
Everyday mental math
- Shopping: “Two drinks at 3.50 each. How much altogether?”
- Car journeys: add up number plates, or count down from 100 in 7s.
- Cooking: double or halve a recipe.
- Time: “It's 4:40 and dinner's at 6. How long is that?”
- Sport: keep score in your head during a game.
Little and often wins
Five to ten minutes a day is far more effective than a long session once a week. Regular, short practice is what moves facts and strategies into long-term memory. Keep it light, celebrate improvement, and stop while it's still fun.
Frequently asked questions
How can my child get faster at mental math?
Make sure number bonds and times tables are secure, teach one strategy at a time such as making ten or rounding and adjusting, and practice for five to ten minutes a day with quick games.
What are the most useful mental math strategies?
Making ten, doubles and near doubles, splitting numbers into tens and ones, counting up to subtract, rounding and adjusting, and doubling and halving are among the most useful.
Are timed math games good for kids?
They can help facts become automatic once a child understands them. Encourage children to beat their own score, and drop the timer if it causes stress.