Introduction:
Ten frame activities are a great way to introduce children to basic math concepts, develop their counting and number sense skills and foster their creativity. They can be used both at home and in the classroom, providing countless hours of learning and fun. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 23 fantastic ten frame activities. So, let’s dive in!
1. Ten Frame Playdough Mats:
Encourage children to create playdough balls and arrange them on ten frame mats to represent different numbers.
2. Ten Frame Number Cards:
Create a set of cards with different numbers and corresponding ten frame representations for kids to match.
3. Ten Frame Memory Game:
Make two sets of ten frame cards with identical images for an engaging memory game.
4. Ten Frame Snack Time:
Incorporate a ten frame placemat into snack time by encouraging children to count out their snacks using the frames.
5. Ten Frame Egg Cartons:
Repurpose egg cartons into ten frames by cutting them down. Kids can use small manipulatives to place inside each cup.
6. Clothespin Ten Frames:
Attach clothespins to index cards that depict ten frames and have children clip the correct number of clothespins onto each card.
7. Outdoor Ten Frame Chalk Activities:
Draw a large ten frame with sidewalk chalk outdoors and have kids use natural materials (sticks or stones) for counting practice.
8. Ten Frame Puzzles:
Create puzzles with one piece displaying a number and the other showing its corresponding ten frame representation for kids to connect.
9. Lego Ten Frame Building:
Put together Lego structures based on specific numbers represented by ten frames.
10. Ten Frame Pom-Pom Sorting:
Sort varying colored pom-poms using tweezers or fingers into colored ten frames.
11. Ten Frame Bingo:
Create bingo cards with various completed ten frames, and have kids place small items or tokens onto the corresponding numbers as they’re called.
12. Snowball Ten Frame Toss:
Cut out ten frames from cardboard and encourage children to toss “snowballs” (like cotton balls) into the frames to represent numbers.
13. Ten Frame Matching Game:
Create pairs of cards with numbers, and their matching ten frame representations. Kids can then turn over cards to find the matching pairs.
14. Ten Frame Bead Counting:
String beads onto pipe cleaners in accordance with ten frame representations.
15. Ten Frame Cookie Counting:
Decorate sugar cookies with colorful icing or sprinkles to create ten frame images, making snack time a math learning experience.
16. Dot Sticker Ten Frames:
Use small dot stickers to complete partial ten frames printed on index cards.
17. Ten Frame I Spy:
Hide small objects around the room for kids to find and then place them on a large ten frame on the floor to represent the number of found items.
18. Monster Teeth Ten Frames:
Encourage kids to create monster-themed ten frames using marshmallows or gumdrops as “teeth” for their monster structures.
19. Ten Frame Geoboard Activities:
Use geoboards with rubber bands or colored string to create visible ten frames and practice counting skills.
20. Puzzle Piece Counting:
Draw ten frames on large puzzle pieces for children to count and match with the corresponding number piece.
21. Button Counting Cards:
Provide kids with buttons and counting cards featuring empty ten frames for them to fill in with the corresponding number of buttons.
22. Nature Walk Ten Frames:
Collect natural items during a walk, such as sticks, leaves, or rocks, and have kids arrange them into ten frames once back indoors.
23. Ten Frame Cupcake Liners:
Encourage kids to create monster-themed ten frames using marshmallows or gumdrops as “teeth” for their monster structures.
