Summer holidays are a well-earned break from the classroom, but when it comes to maths, six weeks away from learning can often mean children return to school feeling rusty and lacking confidence.

Just like learning a musical instrument or playing a sport, maths is a skill that needs regular practice. Children who continue to engage with numbers throughout the summer are more likely to retain key concepts, return to school confidently, and be ready to tackle new topics from day one.

The good news! Keeping maths skills sharp doesn’t have to mean hours of study. Just 10–15 minutes a few times a week can make a huge difference.

Why maths skills fade during the summer

When children get back to school in September, teachers notice that pupils have quickly forgotten:

  • Times tables
  • Number bonds
  • Mental arithmetic methods
  • Fractions, decimals and percentages
  • Problem-solving techniques

Without regular practice, children often spend the first few weeks of the new school year relearning concepts they had already mastered.
The power of times tables

If there’s one maths skill worth focusing on this summer, it’s times tables. Children who know their times tables like the back of their hand can focus on understanding new concepts rather than struggling with basic calculations.

Our times tables workbooks
We can support your child with their times tables over the summer holidays. Our times tables workbooks are our most popular books for Key Stage 2 maths. These workbooks help a child to:

Build rapid recall of multiplication facts
Improve accuracy and speed
Develop confidence in mental maths
Strengthen the foundations needed for more advanced maths

The structured approach allows children to progress steadily while gaining a real sense of achievement along the way.

The workbooks are perfect to use for:

  • Short daily practice sessions
  • Rainy days at home
  • Family holidays
  • Keeping minds active without pressure
  • Building confidence before September

Other ways to make maths fun during the summer holidays:

  • Quick daily times tables challenges
  • Family quiz competitions
  • Maths games and puzzles
  • Adding up the shopping at the checkout
  • Measuring ingredients while cooking

Get ready for a confident start in September

A little maths over the summer can go a long way.

By encouraging your child to keep practising key skills, especially their times tables, you can help them avoid the summer slide, maintain confidence, and start the new school year on the front foot.

Explore the AE Publications maths workbook range today and help your child build strong mathematical foundations that will support their learning for years to come.