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Age 6 guide to number bonds to 10

Age-appropriate activities, explanations and practice ideas for number bonds to 10.

Quick answer

Number bonds to 10 are pairs of numbers that add up to 10, like 3 + 7 = 10 or 5 + 5 = 10. You can find them by thinking about what number you need to add to a given number to make 10.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know all the number bonds to 10 and be able to use them to solve simple addition and subtraction problems. Success signs:
  • You can quickly say what number you need to add to 3 to make 10
  • You can find all the pairs of numbers that add up to 10
  • You can use number bonds to help solve problems like 10 - 4 = ?
  • You can explain how number bonds help you add numbers more easily

Why this matters

Number bonds to 10 are a key part of learning maths because they help you understand how numbers work together. When you know your number bonds, you can:
  • Add and subtract numbers more quickly and easily
  • Use mental maths strategies to solve problems
  • Build a strong foundation for learning bigger numbers
  • Understand how numbers can be broken apart and put back together
In real life, you might use number bonds when sharing 10 biscuits between friends, counting your pocket money, or working out how many more toys you need to make a set of 10.

How it works

Number bonds to 10 are pairs of numbers that add up to 10. To find them, you can:
  1. Start with a number less than 10
  2. Think about what number you need to add to make 10
  3. Write down the pair
  4. Try this with different numbers
You can also think of it as "what goes with this number to make 10?" For example, if you have 6, you need 4 more to make 10. So 6 + 4 = 10.

Examples you can see

Here are all the number bonds to 10:
First Number Second Number Sum
0 10 0 + 10 = 10
1 9 1 + 9 = 10
2 8 2 + 8 = 10
3 7 3 + 7 = 10
4 6 4 + 6 = 10
5 5 5 + 5 = 10
6 4 6 + 4 = 10
7 3 7 + 3 = 10
8 2 8 + 2 = 10
9 1 9 + 1 = 10
10 0 10 + 0 = 10
Let's look at some real-world examples:
  • If you have 7 apples and want to make 10 apples, how many more apples do you need? You need 3 more apples. So 7 + 3 = 10.
  • Imagine you have 10 sweets and eat 4. How many sweets do you have left? You have 6 sweets left. So 10 - 4 = 6. You can also think of this as 4 + 6 = 10.
  • At a party, you have 10 balloons and 6 are red. How many are blue? You have 4 blue balloons. So 6 + 4 = 10.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Number Bond Treasure Hunt You are a treasure hunter looking for 10 golden coins hidden in a cave. Each coin has a number on it. To find the treasure, you need to collect coins that add up to 10.
  • 1st time: You find a coin with the number 2 on it. What number coin do you need to find to make 10? Answer: 8
  • 2nd time: You find a coin with the number 5 on it. What number coin do you need to find to make 10? Answer: 5
  • 3rd time: You find a coin with the number 7 on it. What number coin do you need to find to make 10? Answer: 3
  • 4th time: You find a coin with the number 1 on it. What number coin do you need to find to make 10? Answer: 9
  • 5th time: You find a coin with the number 9 on it. What number coin do you need to find to make 10? Answer: 1
Can you find all the pairs that make 10? Draw or collect 10 objects and split them into two groups to find all the number bonds.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 10 + 0 = 10, but forgetting that 0 + 10 = 10 too. Why it happens: Children might only think of the first number in the pair. Fix: Remember that 10 + 0 = 10 and 0 + 10 = 10. They are the same pairs just written in a different order.
  • Mistake: Counting on fingers to find number bonds instead of using mental maths. Why it happens: Children are still learning to use their brains to solve problems. Fix: Practice saying the bonds out loud and use visual pictures to help remember them.
  • Mistake: Thinking that 5 + 5 = 10 is the only way to make 10. Why it happens: Children might not understand that order doesn't matter in addition. Fix: Show that 5 + 5 = 10, but also 4 + 6 = 10 and 3 + 7 = 10. The order of numbers in addition doesn't change the answer.
  • Mistake: Getting confused between addition and subtraction when using number bonds. Why it happens: Children might not understand that subtraction is the opposite of addition. Fix: Explain that if 3 + 7 = 10, then 10 - 7 = 3 and 10 - 3 = 7. They are connected.

Parent and carer guide

You can help your child learn number bonds to 10 in just a few minutes each day:
  • Use everyday situations like counting toys, snacks, or steps to practice number bonds.
  • Play games where you say one number and your child says what number goes with it to make 10.
  • Use physical objects like counters, blocks, or beads to show the bonds visually.
  • Practice by asking questions like "What goes with 6 to make 10?" or "What is 10 - 3?"
  • Don't worry if your child gets confused at first - number bonds take time to learn.
  • Keep practice fun and short, about 5-10 minutes daily.
  • Use songs or rhymes to help remember the pairs.
  • Encourage your child to explain their thinking to you.
  • Be patient and celebrate small successes.

Practice questions

  1. What number goes with 2 to make 10? Answer: 8
  2. What number goes with 6 to make 10? Answer: 4
  3. What number goes with 9 to make 10? Answer: 1
  4. What number goes with 3 to make 10? Answer: 7
  5. What number goes with 5 to make 10? Answer: 5
  6. What number goes with 8 to make 10? Answer: 2
  7. What number goes with 1 to make 10? Answer: 9
  8. What number goes with 4 to make 10? Answer: 6
  9. What number goes with 7 to make 10? Answer: 3
  10. What number goes with 0 to make 10? Answer: 10

FAQ

What are number bonds to 10?

Number bonds to 10 are pairs of numbers that add up to 10. For example, 3 + 7 = 10, so 3 and 7 are number bonds to 10.

Why do we need to learn number bonds?

Number bonds help you understand how numbers work together. They make addition and subtraction easier and faster, and they help you solve bigger problems.

How can I practice number bonds at home?

You can practice by using objects like counters or toys, playing games, singing number bond songs, or asking simple questions like "What goes with 4 to make 10?"

Are number bonds only for 10?

No, number bonds can be made with any number. For example, number bonds to 5 are 0 + 5 = 5, 1 + 4 = 5, 2 + 3 = 5, etc.

How can I help my child who is struggling with number bonds?

Use physical objects to show the bonds, practice regularly but for short periods, use games and songs, and be patient. Remember that learning takes time.