Ten-frames to learn numbers up to 10
With this ten-frame game children practise how a number looks inside a 10-square grid. They can clearly see how many counters there are and how many are missing to make ten.
Click to place counters
Click on the ten-frame squares to add or remove red counters until you reach the target number.
How to play with the ten-frame
Each round shows a target number between 1 and 10. Children must click on the ten-frame squares to add or remove red counters until they reach that number.
When they think the amount is correct, they press “Check”. If it matches, they see a positive message and confetti; if not, the game tells them whether they need more counters or fewer.
Maths concepts practised
- Composition of numbers up to 10 (for example, 7 as 5 on the top row and 2 on the bottom row).
- The idea of “how many to make 10”, essential for visual addition strategies.
- Quick recognition of quantities without counting one by one.
- Using visual representations to better understand numbers.
Suggestions for teachers and families
- Start with target numbers between 1 and 5 before moving to 6–10.
- Ask children to describe what they see: “I see five on top and three at the bottom, that makes eight”.
- Connect the ten-frame to number lines and simple addition activities.
- Let children explore clicking freely before using the game in a more structured way.
Ten-frames are one of the most popular tools in early maths education because they make the structure of number 10 visible.