Fun Phonics Activities to Boost Early Reading Skills

Helping children develop strong phonics skills is essential for early reading success. Here are some fun and interactive activities to make learning phonics enjoyable for young learners.

1. Multiplying by 5 Quickly

Instead of directly multiplying by 5, use this trick:

• Step 1: Divide the number by 2.
  
  

• Step 2: Multiply the result by 10.
  A Simple Guide to GCSE Chemistry Equations.

Example 1:
36×536 \times 5

• 36÷2=1836 \div 2 = 18
  
  

• 18×10=18018 \times 10 = 180
  

Example 2:
72×572 \times 5

• 72÷2=3672 \div 2 = 36
  
  

• 36×10=36036 \times 10 = 360
  

This method is often quicker than traditional multiplication!

2. Squaring Numbers Ending in 5

For numbers ending in 5, use this trick:

• Step 1: Take the first digit (ignore the 5).
  
  

• Step 2: Multiply it by its next number.
  
  

• Step 3: Write 25 at the end.
  

Example 1:
25225^2

• First digit is 2. Multiply 2×3=62 \times 3 = 6.
  
  

• Add 25 → 625
  

Example 2:
85285^2

• First digit is 8. Multiply 8×9=728 \times 9 = 72.
  
  

• Add 25 → 7225

3. Multiplying by 9 Using Fingers

This is a great visual trick!

• Hold out 10 fingers.
  
  

• Fold down the nth finger for 9×n9 \times n.
  
  

• Count fingers before the folded one (tens).
  
  

• Count fingers after the folded one (units).
  

Example 1:
9×79 \times 7

• Fold the 7th finger.
  
  

• 6 fingers before, 3 after → 63
  

Example 2:
9×49 \times 4

• Fold the 4th finger.
  
  

• 3 fingers before, 6 after → 36
  

This works for all 9×n9 \times n values up to 10!

4. Finding 10% & 5% Easily

• 10% of a number: Move the decimal one place left.
  
  

• 5% of a number: Find 10% and halve it.
  

Example 1:
Find 10% of 240

• Move decimal → 24
  Find 5%
  
  

• Half of 24 → 12
  

Example 2:
Find 10% of 480

• Move decimal → 48
  Find 5%
  
  

• Half of 48 → 24
  

This is useful for quick discounts and percentage calculations.

5. Doubling & Halving for Multiplication

If one number is even, halve it and double the other to make multiplication easier.

Example 1:
16×2516 \times 25

• Halve 16 → 8
  
  

• Double 25 → 50
  
  

• 8×50=4008 \times 50 = 400
  

Example 2:
48×548 \times 5

• Halve 48 → 24
  
  

• Double 5 → 10
  
  

• 24×10=24024 \times 10 = 240
  Read a guide for GCSE Biology 2025.

This reduces the difficulty of large multiplications!

6. Estimation Using Rounding

Use rounding to quickly estimate answers.

Example 1:
198×4198 \times 4

• Round 198 to 200
  
  

• 200×4=800200 \times 4 = 800
  

Example 2:
67×2967 \times 29

• Round 67 to 70, 29 to 30
  
  

• 70×30=210070 \times 30 = 2100 (close to the exact answer)
  

This is great for quick checks in exams.

7. Adding & Subtracting with Friendly Numbers

Break numbers into parts to simplify addition or subtraction.

Example 1:
397+248397 + 248

• Instead of adding directly, think:
  
  

• 397+3=400397 + 3 = 400
  
  

• 400+245=645400 + 245 = 645
  

Example 2:
875−496875 - 496

• Instead of subtracting directly, think:
  
  

• 496+4=500496 + 4 = 500
  
  

• 875−500=375875 - 500 = 375
  
  

• Add back 4 → 379
  
  

This method minimizes mistakes and makes mental calculations faster. Let’s connect for affordable Online GCSE Classes.