{FREE} Multiply by Multiples of 10 Grid Challenges

Could your kids use some practice with multiplying large numbers? These fun grids provide a great visual and kids will love the challenge of this set to multiply by multiples of 10.

Sometimes it is fun to get in some math work with low prep practice that includes a little bit of logic involved. This simple set will help kids see how to multiply by multiples of ten, but with a fun little twist. Because who wants to do a boring worksheet? Challenge kids to think logically and make sense of large number multiplication with these practice pages that focus on multiplying by multiples of ten.

Note: This is a guest post from Rachel at You’ve Got This Math.

Prep-Work for the Multiplication Worksheets:

These worksheets don’t require any prep. Just simply print and you’re ready to go.

And if you are looking for some digital resources that don’t require any printing, you may want to check out these Boom Cards that will get in a little more multiplying by multiples of ten practice.

Teaching Tips: Multiply By Multiples of 10

Before you begin any type of practice, it is important for children to understand and visualize the math they are doing.

One way to do this is to get out those base ten blocks and let your students work out a few problems.

Example 1:

Start with what they know. What is 10 x 2?

Most children can jump right in and say it is 20. But have them show it to you with their base ten blocks.

We know that a long equals 10, so now we just have to get out 2 longs…and 2 longs equals 20.

But what if we changed that 2 to a 20 and make the problem 10 x 20?

Ask your children to solve that problem with base ten blocks, and once they get out 20 longs, they will see that they have 200.

Example 2:

Now let’s try 20 x 3.

This time we will make 3 groups and put 2 longs in each group.

How many do we have? That’s right, 60!

And if you really want to challenge your children, let them partner up and do 20 x 30.

That is thirty groups with 2 longs in each group, and of course, when they are finished they will have a total of 600.

If your kids are ready to move from hands on models to visual models, I recommend breaking the multiplication problems apart with area models.

Read: How to Teach Multi-Digit Multiplication with Area Models

OR Find more ideas for teaching double digit multiplication and simple game ideas here.

Multiply by Multiples of 10: Practice Puzzles

Now that they have experienced what happens when we multiply by tens, it is time for some practice. These fun boxes or puzzles are a fun way for children to get in a little extra multiplying by tens. And you are also throwing in some grid work!

How These Multiplication Challenges Work:

If you look at the first empty box in this picture you will see that the number above it is a 50 and the number to the left is a 20. These two numbers are the numbers our students get to multiply. And since 50 x 20 = 1,000, we write 1,000 in the first box.

Now we move to the second box. The nine is above it, and the 20 is to the left…so we multiply 20 x 9

And we get to do the same for the bottom two boxes.

50 x 1 = 50

9 x 1 = 9

A Slightly Harder Challenge:

Some puzzles require division…and a little more thought:

First, we get our kiddos to do an easy problem. 60 x 8 and write 480 in the correct box.
Next, we get into our division. We see that our product will be 360 and one of the factors will be 60. So we can ask our children 60 x ___ = 360 or 360 divided by 60 equals what? (If needed, get out those base ten blocks again and let them count out 36 tens and then put 60 in a group. It is easy to see that there are six groups, so 60 x 6= 360. The six goes above 360.
Now, we don’t know what to multiply the six by, so we have to figure out what 560 divided by 8 is. That answer is 70, so we can put the 70 underneath the 60.
Finally, we get to do the last empty box. 70 x 6 = 420.

I hope your children enjoy these boxes as they practice multiplying by multiples of ten.

{Click HERE to go to my shop and grab this FREE Set of Challenges to Multiply by Multiples of 10!}

Rachel is a homeschool mom to four little ones, ages 2 to 6. She is a former public elementary teacher, and has recently begun blogging at her page You’ve Got This. You can also find her on Facebook and Pinterest.