Math
Grades:
Elementary School

25 Number Bond Activities To Help Kids Develop Number Sense

They all add up to fun!

Collage of Number Bonds Activities
By Jill Staake, B.S., Secondary ELA Education
Sep 8, 2022

Number bond activities are a simple but incredibly helpful concept for kids learning their math facts. Here’s what you need to know.

What are number bonds?

Two number bonds represented by smaller circles connected by lines to a larger circle

Source

In simplest terms, number bonds are pairs of numbers that add up to make another number. They’re usually represented by two smaller circles (the parts) linked to a larger one (the whole). Rather than just memorizing facts, students use number bond activities to truly understand the math, making them the perfect lead-in to addition and subtraction. Here are some of our favorite number bond activities.

1. Introduce the concept by sorting parts and wholes

Two wood hoops labeled Whole and Part with images of food in wholes and parts (Number Bonds Activities)

Before you bring numbers into the mix, start by simply having kids sort pictures of whole items versus parts of items. This introduces the idea of “part, part, whole,” which is key to understanding number bonds.

Learn more: Parts and Wholes at Roots & Wings

2. Create a number bond model with paper plates

Blue paper plate labeled whole connected to two green paper plates labeled part with plastic straws (Number Bonds Activities)

Make a model from paper plates to show how you can break a whole down into its parts. Use it for hands-on practice in the classroom.

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Learn more: In the Loop

3. Post an anchor chart

Anchor chart showing different ways to represent number bonds

A number bond anchor chart helps remind students about the importance of the concept. Show them all the ways to break down numbers and put them together again.

Learn more: Livin’ in a Van Down by the River

4. Dot the parts of the bond

Child using dot marker to represent the parts of a number bond

Kids always get a kick out of using dot markers! Let them represent the parts of the bond with dots, then count them up to make the whole.

Learn more: Playdough to Plato

5. Build a number bond machine

The Adding Machine made of two chutes for students to drop items and add them up into a sum (Number Bonds Activities)

This is so fun! Drop the separate parts down their respective chutes, where they land to make up the whole. Kids will love this!

Learn more: Ms. Marinelli’s Classroom Blog

6. Turn bees into bonds

Printable cards of cartoon bees, with numbers written on the wings and bodies

Looking for printable number bond activities? How cute are these number bond bees? Get a free printable set at the link.

Learn more: Frogs-and-Fairies

7. Make number bonds in divided plates

Two divided green plates with small star toys in each smaller section, with addition flashcards

Look for these divided plastic plates at dollar stores, or pick up a package of disposables. Use them with mini erasers or other small toys.

Learn more: Number Bond Plates at Just Teachy

8. Paint number bond rainbows

The numbers 1 to 6 connected by rainbow stripes to make number bonds

Pull out the watercolors and make math more colorful! This is such a pretty way to learn more about number bonds.

Learn more: Math Geek Mama

9. Hold up number bond boards

Two students holding up write-on, wipe-off number bond boards

These boards give kids a fun way to practice, and they make it easy for teachers to do a quick check of the classroom to see who’s getting the idea and who needs a little more help.

Buy it: Learning Resources Double-Sided Number Bonds Write-and-Wipe Answer Boards at Amazon

10. Roll the dice

Number Bonds worksheet called Roll and Create with a red dice showing the number 5 (Number Bonds activities)

Here’s an easy activity: Roll a die and create a bond using that number as the whole. You can also roll two dice and use them as the parts; add them together to find the whole.

Learn more: Boy Mama Teacher Mama

11. Sing the Farmer Pete song

This catchy tune is a great way to learn about making 10. Have your own students act it out just like in the video!

12. Pull out the dominoes

Domino Number Bonds worksheet with dominoes

Dominoes make great math manipulatives! Lay them out to show the two parts, then write the whole bond in the circles.

Learn more: Lessons for Little Ones

13. Clip and slide to make number bonds

Number Bonds manipulatives made of hangers and clothespins

We really like these clever Lakeshore Snap & Slide Number Bonds tools, but we love the fact that you can make your own using hangers from the bargain bin!

Learn more: The Kindergarten Center

14. Put together number bond eggs

Plastic eggs with numbers written on each half (Number Bonds Activities)

Plastic eggs are so fun in the classroom! And they’re ideal to use for number bond activities. Demonstrate the concept using two halves of the egg to make up a whole.

Learn more: The Imagination Tree

15. Craft a number bond rainbow

Blue construction paper cloud outlined in cotton balls, with colored strips of paper showing numbers adding up to 10

Who knew number bonds could be so pretty? This math craft is a snap to put together, and it makes a great reference tool for kids learning their addition facts.

Learn more: Simply Kinder

16. Try a different kind of flash card

Number bonds flash cards set

These flash cards force kids to think differently about math facts. They’re helpful for mastering both addition and subtraction too.

Buy it: Teacher Created Resources Number Bonds Flash Cards

17. Display number bonds in cupcake wrappers

Three cupcake wrappers connected by wood craft sticks, with marbles in two of the sections (Number Bonds Activities)

Cupcake wrappers and craft sticks are inexpensive enough that you can make each student their own number bond manipulative! This is such an easy idea for hands-on practice.

Learn more: Playhood

18. Assemble chain-link number bonds

Blue and orange paper chain links adding up to 10

Your students probably already get a kick of making paper chains, so use them as a colorful way to explore this math concept.

Learn more: Mrs. Briggs’ Class

19. Super-size your number bonds

Oversized construction number bonds symbol made of construction paper

A few circles of construction paper give kids their own big number bond tool to practice with. These are also large enough for teachers to display on the board for everyone to see.

Learn more: The Kindergarten Smorgasboard

20. Count on your fingers

Construction paper hands with some fingers folded down, along with addition facts for ways to make 10 (Number Bonds Activities)

So adorable! Kids trace and cut out their hands, then glue them to paper, leaving the fingers free to bend. Now they can practice “making 10” while their hands are still free to write.

Learn more: Primary Solutions on Pinterest

21. Fly a number bond kite

Paper kite with the number 10 on it, and the kite string tails showing ways to make 10

Each of the tails on this smart kite represents part of the whole number at the top. These would make a fantastic springtime classroom decoration, don’t you think?

Learn more: Primary Playground

22. Step into a number bond

Three hula hoops connected by sticks, with students standing in one hoop

Kids will really “get into” this activity! Use them as markers to demonstrate the parts of the whole. (Try this with stuffed animals too.)

Learn more: Hula-Hoop Number Bonds at Roots and Wings

23. Turn a cookie sheet into a teaching tool

Teacher holding a metal cookie sheet with a number bonds worksheet and dinosaur magnets

Tired of your math manipulatives disappearing underneath desks and cabinets? Use magnets on a cookie sheet instead. So smart!

Learn more: Cookie Sheets Number Bonds at Just Teachy

24. Wear number bonds bracelets

Pipe cleaner bracelets with beads representing numbers

Grab some pipe cleaners and pony beads and turn math into a fashion statement! Kids can slide the beads around to show different number combinations, but they’ll always add up to the same whole.

Learn more: Dr. Jean and Friends

25. Turn Hula-Hoops into number bonds

Student holding a hula hoop with cut up pool noodle pieces around the edges (Number Bonds Activities)

This is just like the bracelets, only much bigger! Cut up pool noodles into pieces to make the “beads.” (Find more uses for pool noodles in the classroom here.)

Learn more: Tunstall’s Teaching Tidbits

Looking for more number bond activities? Find out how 10-frames can engage early math learners.

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25 Number Bond Activities To Help Kids Develop Number Sense