Double It!
Focus: Doubling and early multiplication
This fun ten frame activity helps children explore the idea of doubling — one of the earliest foundations of multiplication. By using both rows of the ten frame, children can clearly see what it means to have “two of the same.”
Equipment you’ll need:
Ten frame (from your Starter Pack)
Counters or cubes in one or two colours
Optional: Whiteboard and pen to record doubles
How to play:
Ask your child to fill the top row of the ten frame with a small number of counters (e.g. 3).
Now say: “Can you double it?” and fill the bottom row the same way.
Count all the counters together and say the double aloud —
“Double 3 is 6!”Repeat with different numbers up to 5 (that’s the most you can double on a ten frame).
Extension idea:
Write down the doubles together on the whiteboard:
1 + 1 = 2
2 + 2 = 4
3 + 3 = 6
4 + 4 = 8
5 + 5 = 10
Talk about what you notice, the totals always jump by 2 each time!
Why it matters:
Understanding doubles helps children recognise patterns in numbers and lays the foundation for multiplication and division later on. Seeing the doubles on the ten frame makes these patterns clear and visual, helping children build mental images for number facts.