Make 5 / Make 10
Focus: Number bonds
Learning number bonds is a key step in building strong mental maths skills. This playful activity helps children spot the different ways to make 5 or 10 using simple counters.
Equipment you’ll need:
5 or 10 counters in two colours (e.g. red and yellow).
A flat surface (table or tray).
Optional: a mini whiteboard or paper and pen for recording.
How to play:
Give your child 5 (or 10) counters.
Ask them to drop the counters from their hand or a cup onto the flat surface.
Say what they see together: “How many red + how many yellow = 5 (or 10)?” For example: “3 red and 2 yellow make 5!”
Extension idea:
Record what you see as a number sentence (e.g. 3 + 2 = 5) using a whiteboard or paper. This links the practical play to written maths.
Why it matters:
Number bonds are the building blocks for mental addition and subtraction. By exploring the different ways to make 5 or 10, children start to recognise patterns and develop number fluency — key skills they’ll use throughout primary school.