NumBots is an online maths learning platform designed to help children build confidence with addition and subtraction. Created by the team behind Times Tables Rock Stars, it combines number practice with interactive games to help pupils develop a stronger understanding of basic maths.
Rather than relying on counting alone, NumBots encourages children to recognise number patterns, remember number facts and work out answers more confidently. Its learning activities are designed to develop three key skills: understanding mathematical concepts, recalling number facts and calculating fluently.
Where Can You Play NumBots?
Children can access NumBot through its official website or use the app on compatible mobile phones and tablets. This makes it possible to practise maths at home, in the classroom or while travelling.
Learning Features That Help Children Improve
It brings together maths practice, personalised learning activities and game-based rewards. Here are some of the main features available to pupils, teachers and families.
Building Strong Number Skills
Children need more than the ability to count to become confident in maths. They also need to understand how numbers work and recall basic calculations without having to start from scratch every time.
It uses a structured approach that combines conceptual understanding with regular practice. As pupils become comfortable with one skill, they can build on that knowledge and tackle more challenging calculations.
Two Ways to Practise Maths
Pupils can choose a robot character before entering either of the platform’s two learning modes: Story Mode and Challenge Mode. The system guides their practice as they progress through the activities.
For regular practice, NumBot recommends playing for at least three minutes a day, four or five times a week. Children can follow this routine at home or during school learning sessions.
Rewards That Keep Pupils Motivated
Learning becomes more engaging when children can see their progress. As pupils complete activities, they earn achievement badges and gain access to hundreds of additional levels and challenges.
Story Mode also introduces robot parts that children can collect to help RustyBot develop from a rusty robot into a diamond version. These rewards give pupils something to work towards while they practise their maths skills.
Works Alongside Times Tables Rock Stars
Schools that already use Times Tables Rock Stars can benefit from the connection between the two platforms. During registration, NumBot can recognise existing Times Tables Rock Stars users, allowing them to use the same login details.
For participating schools, class information is also set up in advance, helping reduce the work involved in getting started.
Resources for Teachers and Parents
It provides supporting materials to help schools introduce the platform and maintain pupil engagement. These resources include:
These materials can help teachers explain the platform to pupils and families while supporting its use in everyday teaching.
Tracking Pupil Progress
Teachers can use tables and charts to monitor how pupils are using NumBots and how their learning is progressing. Information is available at both class and individual pupil level.
Printable leaderboards and certificates that populate automatically also help schools recognise children’s efforts and celebrate their achievements.
Personalise Your Robot in the Custom Shack
NumBots offers more than maths questions. Its Custom Shack gives children a place to spend their in-game earnings on designing their own robot characters.
Pupils can choose from a wide range of themed parts and characters, including pirates, angels, dragonflies and ninjas. They can also combine different pieces to create a robot that reflects their own imagination.
Once a design is ready, children can save it in their Scrapbook and print it out. New character options are added regularly, giving pupils another reason to keep practising and collecting coins.
The Teaching Approach Behind NumBots
NumBots was developed around the idea that children should understand mathematical concepts while also becoming quicker at recalling basic number facts. The development team spent two years working towards this approach to teaching maths mastery.
Its educational foundations draw on practices associated with the NCETM, White Rose Maths, experienced teachers, educators in Shanghai and Singapore, and academic research. The team also examined number facts in detail, from simple calculations such as 1 + 1 to larger additions such as 100 + 100.
Three principles shape the platform:
Together, these elements support the development of stronger addition and subtraction skills, helping children move towards more independent mental calculation.
Who Can Use NumBots?
Num Bots offers subscription options for different learning environments, making the platform available to schools, families, home educators and tutors.
Schools
Teachers can use Num Bots to support classroom maths practice, monitor pupil activity and recognise progress.
Families and home educators
Parents and home educators can incorporate short maths sessions into a child’s regular learning routine.
Tutors
Tutors can use the platform to provide additional practice with addition and subtraction outside the classroom.
Try NumBots With a Free School Trial
Schools can access a free trial that typically lasts four weeks. During the trial, schools receive the full package, including unlimited pupil and teacher accounts.
There is no need to cancel the trial to avoid a charge: according to the supplied information, it expires automatically after four weeks without charging the school.
Schools considering NumBot can use this period to explore the platform, introduce it to pupils and assess whether its learning activities fit their teaching needs. Check the official NumBot website for the latest trial terms before registering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
NumBots offers children an engaging way to practise addition and subtraction while developing essential mental maths skills. Its combination of interactive challenges, robot customisation and achievement rewards can make regular practice more enjoyable for young learners. Parents can use it to support maths learning at home, while teachers can monitor pupil progress and reinforce classroom lessons. The recommended short practice sessions also make it easier to fit maths into a busy school day. For families and schools looking to strengthen children’s number skills, it is worth exploring to see whether its approach suits their learning needs.
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