23 Fantastic Ten Frame Activities

Ten frames are a great tool to help children learn basic math concepts, such as counting, addition, and subtraction. They consist of a rectangular frame with 10 spaces that are divided into two rows of five and can be filled with manipulatives like counters or beans. Ten-frame activities are a fun and engaging way to introduce children to mathematical concepts. In this article, we’ll explore 23 ten-frame activities that you can implement in your classes! 

1. Ten-Frame Race

In this activity, players race to fill their ten-frame cards with counters, such as beads or blocks, by rolling a die and placing the corresponding number of counters on the ten-frame. The first player to fill their ten frame wins the game. Ten-frame race is an engaging and competitive way for children to practice counting and number recognition.

Learn More: Dr. Paul Swan

2. Build a Tower

Building a tower is a fun and creative activity that encourages children to practice counting and fine motor skills. Players use materials such as blocks, Legos, or cups to build a tower while taking turns counting the number of items used each turn. The player who successfully builds the tallest tower wins the game.

Learn More: Room 123ABC

3. Ten-Frame Match

In ten frame match, players match number cards to their corresponding ten frames. For example, if a player draws a card with the number 4, they would find the ten frames with 4 spaces and place the card on top. This activity is a great way to reinforce number recognition and understanding of ten frames.

Learn More: Sara J Creations

4. Roll and Build

This hands-on activity involves rolling a die and using the corresponding number of materials, such as blocks or Legos, to build a structure. Players can take turns rolling the dice and building structures; helping them develop counting and fine motor skills.

Learn More: Kindergarten SMES

5. Ten-Frame Fishing

This fun and interactive activity involves “fishing” for number cards and matching them to their corresponding ten frames. Players use a magnetic fishing rod to “catch” the number cards and then match them to the ten frames on their game board. This activity is perfect for developing number recognition and understanding ten frames in a playful way.

Learn More: Move and Groove Math

6. Ten Frame Bingo

This interactive game is a fun way to help children develop their number sense and improve their understanding of ten frames. Players will receive a bingo card with ten frames and a set of counters. A caller will then announce a number, and players will cover the corresponding ten frames on their card with a counter. The first player to cover all ten frames on their card yells “Bingo!” and wins the game.

Learn More: Kristen’s Kindergarten

7. Dot Marker Ten Frames

This creative activity involves using dot markers to fill in ten frames. Players can use different colored dot markers to make their ten frames unique and visually appealing. This is a great way for kids to develop hand-eye coordination, as well as number recognition.

Learn More: Gift Of Curiosity

8. Ten-Frame Scavenger Hunt

In this activity, students search the classroom for ten frames with numbers on them. Once they find a ten frame, they must write down the number on their worksheet. This activity helps students enlarge their ability to recognize and identify numbers quickly, as well as their understanding of place value.

Learn More: Anne Hanson

9. Ten Frame War

Ten frame war is a fun game where students compare the numbers on their ten frames to see who has the highest number. This activity helps students learn about greater than and less than, and it also helps them learn to recognize and name numbers.

Learn More: Great Valley School District

10. Ten Frame Fill

Students fill in the missing digits on a partially filled ten frame in this activity. Students will learn how to detect and identify numbers as well as how to understand place values.

Learn More: Barbara White

11. Ten Frame Stomp

This game helps children develop their number sense and counting skills. It involves laying out a large ten-frame mat on the ground and having children jump or “stomp” on the corresponding number of dots or objects that are called out. This activity is perfect for promoting physical activity and can be easily adapted to fit different ages and skill levels.

Learn More: From Pond

12. Ten-Frame Memory Game

Learners will practice counting and will learn to recognize numbers from 1 to 10. To play the game, players lay out a set of cards with ten frames showing different numbers. Then, they take turns flipping over two cards to try and find a match. If they find a match, they can keep the cards and get another turn. The player with the most cards at the end of the game wins.

Learn More: Fish in the Zoo Oscamou-Licht

13. Ten Frame Addition

This activity helps children understand addition concepts by using visual aids. The activity involves using a ten frame, a tool that has two rows of five boxes each, to represent numbers. Children fill the boxes with counters to represent the addends, then count the total by looking at the filled boxes. 

Learn More: Anna Navarre

14. Ten Frame Subtraction

Similar to the ten-frame addition activity, this exercise involves using two ten-frames to subtract numbers. Students place one number on every ten frames and then remove the corresponding number of counters from the ten frames to find the difference. This activity helps learners enhance their subtraction skills, as well as their understanding of place value.

Learn More: Sal Khan

15. Ten Frame Puzzles

In this activity, students utilize ten-frame puzzles to match numbers to their corresponding ten frames. This resource aids in improving learners’ ability to recognize and identify numbers, as well as enhancing their spatial reasoning skills.

Learn More: Sara J Creations

16. Ten Frame Counting

In this activity, students count the number of counters on a ten frame and then write the corresponding number on a whiteboard or piece of paper. Learners can use this resource to improve their counting skills and their ability to recognize and name numbers.

Learn More: Stay-At-Home Educator

17. Ten Frame Roll and Write

To play this game, players roll a die with ten frames on each side and then write the corresponding number on a sheet of paper. This activity helps children develop their number sense, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. It’s perfect for use in classrooms, homeschooling, or as a fun family activity.

Learn More: Resources 4 Learning

18. Ten Frame Number Bonds

This is a simple activity that helps children learn and practice both addition and subtraction. Players use a ten-frame template and counters to represent numbers up to ten. They then use the counters to build number bonds that add up to ten. 

Learn More: MrC_EYFS

19. Ten Frame Spin and Cover

This activity involves students spinning a spinner with numbers on it and then covering the corresponding ten frames on their game board. Implementing this activity is useful in improving learners’ ability to recognize and identify numbers, as well as their understanding of place value.

Learn More: Sea Of Knowledge

20. Ten Frame Mystery Number

This is an educational game that helps children learn about numbers, counting, and problem-solving. Players are given a ten-frame with some counters hidden and they need to guess how many counters are hidden. The game can be made more challenging by varying the number of counters and by adding more ten-frames. 

Learn More: Pinterest

21. Ten Frame Patterns

In this activity, children use ten frames to create and identify different patterns by filling in the frames with manipulatives such as counting chips or blocks. By engaging in ten frame patterns, children not only strengthen their mathematical skills but also their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Learn More: Hoover Elementary

22. Ten Frame Roll and Color

In this activity, students roll a die and then count the dots to determine the number to color. This activity promotes visual discrimination and attention to detail as children have to identify and color the correct number of boxes. The activity is an engaging way to reinforce basic math concepts in a playful and interactive manner.

Learn More: Maureen Childs

23. Ten Frame Build and Compare

In this activity, students build numbers with ten frames and counters and then compare them. This helps students get better at recognizing and naming numbers, as well as understanding what it means for a number to be greater than or less than another number.

Learn More: Math Coachs Corner