5 Fun Worksheets for Counting Groups of 10

Why Counting in Groups of 10 Matters

Mastering the skill of counting objects in groups of 10 is fundamental for developing number sense, a core aspect of early childhood mathematics education. This skill goes beyond just counting; it lays the groundwork for understanding place value, addition, subtraction, and eventually, the more complex arithmetic operations. Here’s why it’s essential:

• Place Value Awareness: Understanding that the numeral '1' in '10' represents a different value than '1' in '1' helps children grasp the base-10 number system.
• Speed and Efficiency: Counting by tens allows for quicker addition and subtraction, facilitating mental math.
• Preparation for Advanced Math: Counting in tens is a stepping stone to multiplication, division, and later, algebra.
• Real-World Application: From counting money to measuring quantities, the ability to group items in tens has practical applications in daily life.

1. The Tens Train Worksheet

The Tens Train worksheet is an engaging and interactive way to teach children how to count by tens. Here’s how you can create this fun activity:

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper or cardstock in various colors
• Markers or crayons
• Scissors
• Glue or tape

Instructions:

1. Cut out rectangular cars (about 2x3 inches) from the paper, making sure they are uniform in size.
2. Write numbers on each car starting from 10, increasing by 10s: 10, 20, 30, and so forth, up to 100.
3. Color each car in a different color or pattern to make it visually appealing.
4. Assemble the cars into a train, attaching them one after the other, leaving space between for additional cars.

How to Use:

• Explain that each car carries 10 passengers. Help children count by tens as they add cars.
• Ask students to write down how many passengers are in the train for each stage of assembly.
• Create additional 'empty' cars and let students fill them in with numbers continuing the counting pattern.

📌 Note: This worksheet encourages creativity and hands-on learning, which enhances motor skills, visual-spatial coordination, and logical thinking.

2. The Count-Up Game

Create an interactive game where children practice counting in groups of 10. Here's how to set it up:

Materials Needed:

• A die or spinner
• A game board or grid (you can draw one or use a premade one)
• Counters or small objects
• Markers or pencils

Instructions:

1. Draw a grid or use a premade board with squares numbered from 10 to 100.
2. Players take turns rolling a die or spinning a spinner to determine how many tens they can advance.
3. They place their counter on the number representing the total they've counted.
4. Play continues until someone reaches 100 or a predetermined number.

How to Play:

• Explain that each move should be in increments of 10, reinforcing the concept of counting by tens.
• Use verbal counting to make sure each player says out the numbers as they move their counter.

While this worksheet promotes mathematical thinking, it also provides an opportunity for social interaction among peers, fostering teamwork and friendly competition.

3. The Groups of Ten Puzzle

This worksheet requires children to break down numbers into tens and ones. Here's the setup:

Materials Needed:

• Paper
• Pens, pencils, or markers
• Optional: pre-made puzzle pieces or blocks for visual aids

Instructions:

1. Draw or print ten puzzles. Each puzzle piece should represent one unit, while groups of ten pieces are pre-arranged.
2. Write numbers from 20 to 100 in increments of 10 above each puzzle.
3. Cut out the puzzles.

How to Use:

• Ask students to arrange the puzzle pieces to match the number above them, helping them understand that each group represents 10 units.
• For advanced learners, create puzzles that require students to count in both tens and ones.

4. The Garden of Tens

Turn counting by tens into an enjoyable and thematic activity with this worksheet:

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Crayons or markers
• Glue or tape
• Printable or hand-drawn pictures of flowers

Instructions:

1. Draw or print out flowers, each representing 10 petals.
2. Color or decorate the flowers to make them unique.
3. Label each flower with the multiples of 10 up to 100.

How to Use:

• Have children count the petals in each flower, reinforcing the concept that each flower has 10 petals.
• Ask them to arrange the flowers in numerical order, or plant them in a "garden" on paper.
• Encourage students to add more flowers, making the garden grow with more increments of 10.

📌 Note: This activity combines the learning of counting with creativity, enabling children to express themselves artistically.

5. The Ten Frame Challenge

Using ten frames is a classic method for understanding number relationships and grouping by tens:

Materials Needed:

• Paper or ten frame templates
• Small counters, beads, or stickers
• Pens or pencils

Instructions:

1. Provide each student with a set of ten frame worksheets or templates, starting from 10 frames.
2. Have the students fill in the frames with counters to represent different numbers in groups of tens.

How to Use:

• Ask children to fill the frames with different quantities, helping them visualize the grouping of tens.
• Challenge them to fill as many frames as they can, reaching the goal of 100 by adding frames in multiples of 10.

With these five worksheets, you’re not only teaching children to count by tens but also fostering mathematical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Each activity can be adapted and expanded to suit different age groups and learning abilities, making counting groups of 10 a fun and educational journey.

By integrating these interactive counting exercises into their educational routine, children will not only master counting in groups of 10 but also develop foundational skills that will support their future mathematical learning.