Ten Frames Worksheets (Free Printable PDF)

These ten frames worksheets help kids see a number at a glance. When your child colours seven boxes and sees three empty ones, they start to notice that 7 and 3 make 10, without counting on their fingers.

What Is a Ten Frame?

A ten frame is a box split into two rows of five. Each square holds one counter, so a full frame is 10. Kids soon learn that a full top row means 5, which also helps with every number up to 10.

Ten Frames Worksheets for Numbers 1 to 10

Click a picture or the Download button to open each sheet as a PDF.

Colour to match the number. Kids colour the right number of boxes in each frame, for numbers 1 to 10.

Numbers 1 to 10 chart. Each number sits next to its filled ten frame. It also works well as a reference sheet on a desk or wall.

Match the number to the ten frame. Next, kids draw a line from each number to the frame with the same number of dots.

Blank Ten Frames

Need empty frames for counters or quick practice? Our blank printables have a page of ten small frames and a page of three large ones.

Twenty Frames for Numbers 11 to 20

Then, once 1 to 10 feels easy, move on to two frames side by side. The 11 to 20 worksheets cover colouring, matching and counting up to 20, and there is also a blank page for numbers to 20.

How to Use Ten Frames

1. First, grab some real counters. Buttons, dried beans or small blocks all work.
2. For example, show 6 and ask how many more make 10.
3. Fill the top row first, so kids see 5 and some more.
4. Then use two colours to show adding, like 4 red and 3 blue.
5. Finally, show a frame for two seconds and ask how many. This helps kids recognise numbers without counting.

Want ready-made cards for this? Our dot and number cards go from 1 to 20, in colour or black and white.

Which Ages and Year Levels Are These For?

In general, most children aged about 4 to 7 use ten frames. That’s roughly Foundation to Year 1 in Australia, Reception to Year 2 in England and Pre-K to Grade 1 in the US. They also pair well with our number bonds to 100 pages for bigger numbers.

To see what each level covers, check the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics, the national curriculum for England or the Common Core math standards used in many US states.

You might also like our 2D shapes worksheets and addition and subtraction games.