Smart Starters · Ages 8 to 10

All Smart Starters games

Fact Family Triangle Vault

Complete multiplication and division fact families by finding the missing number. For ages 8 to 10.

PuzzleFact family vault: multiplication and division together~9 min per level5 levelsAll devices
  • Free · no account required
  • COPPA compliant
  • +10 XP per level
  • 5 levels
  • Plays on all devices
  • Curriculum-aligned

The learning journey

Every activity is one step. Here is where this one fits.

  1. Play(you are here)Learn the idea in a game
  2. PractiseLock it in on paper
  3. ReviewCome back and keep it sharp
  4. MasterTake on a harder challenge
  5. AchieveEarn a certificate

About Fact Family Triangle Vault

Fact Family Triangle Vault puts two factors and their product in a row and takes one of the three away. Which operation the child needs depends entirely on which cell is missing: hide the product and they multiply, hide a factor and the only way in is division. Nothing in the game announces that, and it does not need to, because doing it twenty times makes the relationship unavoidable. That relationship is the thing worth building. Multiplication and division are taught in sequence, usually terms apart, and children reliably file them as separate subjects that happen to involve the same numbers — so a child who can answer six times seven without pausing will still reach for a written method, or for repeated subtraction, when asked what forty-two divided by seven is. They already know the answer. They do not yet know that they know it. A task where the required operation changes row by row is the fastest way to close that gap, and it pays off immediately in division, in simplifying fractions, and later in rearranging equations. The first level always hides the product, so a child meets the layout on familiar ground; from the second level any of the three cells can be missing. Every empty cell carries a clue naming what is being asked, with a fuller hint behind a button. Factors reach twelve at the top level. Grids are worked by tap or keyboard, cells are announced to screen readers, and a wrong digit flashes and can be replaced. Free, no sign-up, no advertising to children.

Chosen by the skills this activity practises.

A hand for grown-ups

Before you start
Have something countable nearby. Being able to check "3 and 2 really is 5" by counting builds trust in the maths.
While they work
If a sum is hard, suggest counting on from the bigger number rather than counting both from one. It is a real strategy, not a crutch.
Afterwards
Try one together out loud, talking through how you worked it out. Hearing an adult think aloud is genuinely useful.
Watch out for
Counting both numbers from one every time. Nudge gently towards "start at the bigger one and count on".
Away from the screen
Add up small shopping items, or dots on two dice. Board games with dice are addition practice in disguise.

How to play

  1. A question appears on screen

    A maths question is shown in large text at the centre of the play area. A timer bar begins counting down from 130 seconds.

  2. Choose the correct answer

    Answer options are shown as large buttons. Tap and drag, or use the mouse on desktop. Any input method works — touch, mouse or keyboard.

  3. Build your streak

    Each consecutive correct answer increases your streak. A longer streak lights up the flame icon and adds a bonus multiplier to the XP you earn for the level.

  4. Finish the level

    Each level has 4 questions. Complete them to earn the full level reward (+10 XP, plus up to +10 XP for a perfect run). Progress is saved locally and shown on the Parent Dashboard.

🎓 Curriculum

Curriculum alignment

Mapped to national curriculum frameworks so teachers and parents can match practice to school standards.

  • United StatesCommon Core State Standards for Mathematics · fact-families, multiplication, divisionAligned to fact-families, multiplication, division number and operations objectives.
  • United KingdomNational Curriculum for England — Maths · fact-families, multiplication, divisionAligned to fact-families, multiplication, division number and operations objectives.
  • AustraliaAustralian Curriculum v9.0 — Mathematics · fact-families, multiplication, divisionAligned to fact-families, multiplication, division number and operations objectives.
  • CanadaPan-Canadian Provincial Standards · fact-families, multiplication, divisionAligned to fact-families, multiplication, division number and operations objectives.
❓ FAQ

Common questions from parents & teachers

Everything you need to know before your child starts playing.

  • Two factors and their product. From 6, 7 and 42 you get two multiplications and two divisions — one relationship, not four separate facts.

More Smart Starters games

View all
  • Speed

    Smart Starters · Ages 8 to 10

    Mixed Number Speed Dash

    Race between frozen research stations by adding and subtracting mixed numbers against a friendly timer, for ages 8 to 10.

    5 levels+40 XP
    ProgressNot started
    5 levels · BeginnerPlay
  • Puzzle

    Smart Starters · Ages 8 to 10

    Number Sequence Grid

    Complete number sequences on a grid inside an ancient puzzle vault, filling missing values to unlock each chamber, for ages 8 to 10.

    4 levels+38 XP
    ProgressNot started
    4 levels · BeginnerPlay
  • Escape

    Smart Starters · Ages 8 to 10

    Rainforest Rescue Escape

    Solve a chain of locked maths puzzles to complete a rainforest conservation mission, for ages 8 to 10.

    3 levels+36 XP
    ProgressNot started
    3 levels · BeginnerPlay
  • Drag-Drop

    Smart Starters · Ages 8 to 10

    Equivalent Fraction Drag

    Drag fraction stone tablets onto their simplest-form targets inside an ancient temple, matching equivalent fractions, for ages 8 to 10.

    4 levels+38 XP
    ProgressNot started
    4 levels · BeginnerPlay