Odd and even for young children

Quick answer

Odd numbers are numbers that cannot be shared equally between two people, and even numbers can be shared equally. You can tell if a number is odd or even by looking at the last digit or by pairing objects.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to:

• Identify odd and even numbers up to 20
• Use pairing to decide if a number is odd or even
• Recognise patterns in odd and even numbers
• Understand that odd numbers end in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, and even numbers end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8

Why this matters

Knowing about odd and even numbers helps you solve problems quickly, like sharing toys or snacks equally. It's useful in games, puzzles, and even in real life when you need to divide things fairly. Understanding odd and even numbers is also the first step to learning multiplication and division later on.

How it works

When you have a group of objects, you can check if the number is odd or even by pairing them up. If all objects can be paired up with no leftovers, the number is even. If there is one object left over after pairing, the number is odd.

Another way to find out is to look at the last digit of a number. If it ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, it's even. If it ends in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, it's odd.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some numbers and see if they are odd or even.

You can also think of it like sharing cookies. If you have 6 cookies and want to share them equally with a friend, you can each get 3 cookies. That's even. But if you have 7 cookies, you can’t share them equally – one will be left over. That's odd.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Great Cookie Sharing Challenge

You are the cookie chef in a magical bakery! You have a big pile of cookies and need to share them with your friend. But there's a rule: you can only give an equal number to each person. You must figure out if the number of cookies is odd or even.

Here’s your challenge:

1. First time: You have 10 cookies. Can you share them equally? How many does each person get?
2. Second time: You have 11 cookies. Can you share them equally? What happens to the extra cookie?
3. Third time: You have 12 cookies. Can you share them equally? How many does each person get?
4. Fourth time: You have 13 cookies. Can you share them equally? What happens to the extra cookie?

Can you see the pattern? Even numbers can be shared equally, and odd numbers always leave one extra!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that all numbers ending in 5 are even.
  Why it happens: Confusing the last digit with the number itself.
  Fix: Remember that 5, 15, 25, 35, etc. are all odd numbers.
• Mistake: Counting objects incorrectly and getting the wrong answer.
  Why it happens: Rushing or not checking twice.
  Fix: Count carefully and double-check by pairing.
• Mistake: Not understanding that zero is even.
  Why it happens: Zero is a special number and can be tricky.
  Fix: Zero can be paired with nothing, so it's even.

Parent and carer guide

Help your child learn odd and even numbers with these simple steps:

1. Practice at home: Use toys, buttons, or pasta to count and pair objects.
2. Use everyday moments: When shopping, ask, "Can we split 6 apples equally?"
3. Play games: Make a game where you say a number and they say if it's odd or even.
4. Look for patterns: Point out how even numbers end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.
5. Be patient: It's okay to make mistakes. Learning takes time!

What to say:

• "Let’s count these crayons and see if we can pair them."
• "Can you find a number that ends in 3? Is it odd or even?"
• "If we had 8 sweets, how many would each of us get?"

What not to worry about:

• It's normal to get confused at first.
• Don’t rush to correct them – let them think.
• Focus on fun, not speed.

Practice questions

1. Is 14 odd or even?
   Answer: Even
2. Is 17 odd or even?
   Answer: Odd
3. Is 20 odd or even?
   Answer: Even
4. Is 23 odd or even?
   Answer: Odd
5. Is 26 odd or even?
   Answer: Even
6. Is 29 odd or even?
   Answer: Odd
7. Is 30 odd or even?
   Answer: Even
8. Is 31 odd or even?
   Answer: Odd
9. Is 34 odd or even?
   Answer: Even
10. Is 37 odd or even?
    Answer: Odd

FAQ

What is the difference between odd and even numbers?

Even numbers can be shared equally between two people, and odd numbers cannot.

How do I know if a number is odd or even?

Look at the last digit. If it is 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, it's even. If it is 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, it's odd.

Why is zero considered even?

Zero can be paired with nothing, so it's even. It's like having 0 cookies – you can still share them equally!

Can you give me some examples of even numbers?

Examples include 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20.

What happens when you add an odd and even number?

When you add an odd and an even number, the result is always odd.