Make Ten Match
Find two cards that add up to 10 and match them.
- Ages 5–7
- Pairs that make 10
- Bonds to 5 and 20
Interactive ten frame for kids
This free ten frame has room for ten counters in two rows of five. Tap a square to add a counter in blue or gold, so 7 can show as 5 and 2. Press Show how many to see the total and how many more make 10. Switch to two frames for numbers up to 20.
Tap a square to add a counter.
How to use the ten frame
Tap a square to add a counter in blue or gold, so 7 can show as 5 and 2. Press Show how many to see the total and how many more make 10. Switch to two frames for numbers up to 20.
- Choose One frame for numbers to 10, or Two frames for numbers to 20.
- Pick a counter color, Blue or Gold.
- Tap a square to put a counter in it. Tap a counter of the same color to take it off. Tap a counter of the other color to change its color.
- Make a number with two colors. For 7, try 5 blue and 2 gold.
- Press Show how many to see the total, the two colors, and how many more make 10 (or 20 with two frames).
- Press Clear to empty the frames.
What is a ten frame?
A ten frame is a grid of two rows of five squares. Counters go in one at a time, usually filling the top row first, so children can see a number as a part of ten. Seven is a full row of five and two more, and it is three short of ten.
A double ten frame puts two frames side by side. It helps with numbers from 11 to 20: a full frame of ten and some more. Using two colors lets children see the parts of a number, which is the idea behind number bonds.
Ideas to try at home
- Ask your child to show 6 in two colors, then try a different split. 5 and 1 and 4 and 2 are both 6.
- Put in 8 counters and ask, "How many more to fill the frame?" Then check with Show how many.
- Play "Show me": call out a number from 1 to 10 and let your child fill the frame.
- Use two frames to show 13 as 10 and 3. Then ask for 15, 17 and 12.
- Fill 5 blue counters and ask your child to add gold ones to make 10. Say the pair: 5 and 5.
- Ask for as many ways as you can find to make 10 with two colors.
What it helps with
- Counting: matching one counter to each square and knowing the last number is how many.
- Number bonds: seeing that 7 is 5 and 2, or 6 and 1, and that 7 and 3 make 10.
- Teen numbers: seeing 14 as a full ten and 4 more.
Common Core standards that fit this tool, in the standards' own words:
- K.OA.A.4: For any number from 1 to 9, find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record the answer with a drawing or equation.
- K.NBT.A.1: Compose and decompose numbers from 11 to 19 into ten ones and some further ones, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record each composition or decomposition by a drawing or equation (e.g., 18 = 10 + 8) …
- 1.OA.C.6: Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14) …
Games that use the same idea
Count and Tap
Tap each bug once to count it, then say how many.
- Ages 3–6
- Counting to 20
- One-to-one counting
Guides for parents
Ideas for using the ten frame and talking about math away from the screen.
Number bonds to 10: what they are and 7 ways to practice
Number bonds to 10 are the pairs that make 10, like 3 and 7. See what they are, why making ten matters, and seven ways to practice at home.
Fact family in math: what it means and how to teach it at home
A fact family is the set of addition and subtraction facts that use the same three numbers. See fact triangles, examples and how they make subtraction easier.
How to teach addition: from counting all to making ten
How to teach addition to kids in order: counting all, counting on, doubles, making ten, then fluency through play instead of timed drills.
More free math tools
100 chart
Color numbers on a 1–100 or 1–120 grid and see the patterns in counting by 2s, 5s and 10s.
- Ages 5–8
- Counting to 100 and 120
Number line
Drop a marker on a line from 0 to 10, 20 or 100, or draw hops to add and take away.
- Ages 5–8
- Number order
Analog clock
Watch the real time on a big clock face, or turn the hands to set any time.
- Ages 5–8
- Telling time to the hour and half hour
Questions about the ten frame
What is a ten frame used for?
A ten frame is used to see numbers as parts of ten. Children place counters in a grid of two rows of five, so they can tell at a glance how many there are and how many more make 10. Teachers use it a lot for number bonds to 10.
What is a double ten frame?
A double ten frame is two ten frames side by side, for numbers from 11 to 20. A full frame of 10 sits next to a second frame with the extra counters, so 14 is seen as 10 and 4. Choose Two frames to use it here.
Why use two colors of counters?
Two colors show the parts of a number. Five blue and two gold counters make 7, and the empty squares show the 3 that are still needed for 10. Trying other splits shows that one number can be made in several ways.
What age is a ten frame good for?
Ten frames suit ages 4 to 7. Preschoolers count and match counters to squares, kindergartners find the number that makes 10, and first graders use ten frames to add and subtract within 20.