Number Bonds to 10

Focus: Addition, number bonds, and early problem-solving

This activity uses the ten frame to help children explore all the different ways to make 10. By using two colours of counters, children can see how numbers combine — an important step in building strong number sense.

Equipment you’ll need:

• Ten frame (from your Starter Pack)

• Counters or cubes in two colours

• Optional: Whiteboard and pen for recording number sentences

How to play:

1. Fill the ten frame with 10 counters — some one colour, some another.

   • For example: 6 red and 4 yellow.

2. Say what you see together:

   • “6 and 4 make 10.”

3. Rearrange the colours to find other combinations:

   • “5 and 5 make 10.”

   • “7 and 3 make 10.”

4. Write them as number sentences on the whiteboard if you like.

Extension idea:

Challenge your child to find all the ways to make 10. Record them in pairs and spot the pattern, as one number gets bigger, the other gets smaller.

Why it matters:

Understanding number bonds to 10 is one of the most important early maths skills. It helps children see how numbers are related and prepares them for quick mental addition and subtraction. Using a ten frame makes these patterns clear and visual.