Teen Numbers (Using Two Ten Frames)
Focus: Place value and counting beyond 10
This activity helps children understand what teen numbers really mean — that they are made of 10 and some more. Using two ten frames makes this idea visual and easy to grasp.
Equipment you’ll need:
Two ten frames (from two Starter Packs or one printed extra)
Counters or cubes
Optional: Whiteboard and pen for recording numbers
How to play:
Place the two ten frames side by side.
Fill the first frame completely with 10 counters.
Add extra counters to the second frame to show a teen number.
For example: 10 on the first frame, 4 on the second = 14.
Count together: “Ten and four make fourteen.”
Repeat for different teen numbers up to 19.
Extension idea:
Write the matching number sentence on the whiteboard, such as 10 + 4 = 14.
Talk about how every teen number begins with 1 in the tens place because it’s “one group of ten.”
Why it matters:
Many children can say teen numbers but don’t truly understand them. This visual activity shows that teen numbers are built from a full ten plus some more, the foundation for place value, addition, and mental maths later on.