X Tables
Times Tables

6 times table skip-counting practice

Count forwards and backwards in 6s with number lines, movement games and call-and-response practice.

Quick answer

You can count in 6s forwards and backwards by adding or subtracting 6 each time, using number lines, physical movement, or call-and-response games.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to count forwards and backwards in 6s, and use skip-counting to solve simple maths problems. Success signs:
  • You can say the 6 times table from 0 to 72
  • You can count backwards in 6s from 72 to 0
  • You can use skip-counting to solve simple word problems
  • You can play a skip-counting game with a friend or family member

Why this matters

Skip-counting in 6s helps you learn your 6 times table quickly. It’s useful for:
  • Working out how many minutes are in 6 hours
  • Counting the number of legs on 6 spiders
  • Sharing 6 sweets between 6 friends
  • Playing games where you move 6 spaces each turn
  • Knowing how many minutes are in 6 football halves
In school, skip-counting helps you understand multiplication, division, and patterns. It's also a fun way to get fit and play with friends.

How it works

Skip-counting in 6s means counting by adding 6 each time. You start at 0 and keep adding 6:
  • 0 + 6 = 6
  • 6 + 6 = 12
  • 12 + 6 = 18
  • 18 + 6 = 24
  • 24 + 6 = 30
You can count backwards too:
  • 30 - 6 = 24
  • 24 - 6 = 18
  • 18 - 6 = 12
  • 12 - 6 = 6
  • 6 - 6 = 0
You can use your fingers, a number line, or even walk along a path to count in 6s.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at the 6 times table skip-counting from 0 to 72: 6 Times Table Skip-Counting
Step Counting Forward Counting Backward
0 0 72
1 6 66
2 12 60
3 18 54
4 24 48
5 30 42
6 36 36
7 42 30
8 48 24
9 54 18
10 60 12
11 66 6
12 72 0
Here are some real-life examples:
  • Football: A football match has 2 halves. Each half is 45 minutes. So 2 × 45 = 90 minutes. But if you count in 6s: 45 + 45 = 90. You can count 6s to get 90 too: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90.
  • Party: You are planning a party and want to make 6 cupcakes for each of 12 guests. That’s 12 × 6 = 72 cupcakes. Count in 6s to find the answer: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72.
  • Time: If you are watching a 6-hour movie, you can count in 6s to see how many minutes have passed: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96, 102, 108, 114, 120.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The 6s Treasure Hunt You are on a treasure hunt. You need to find 6 hidden coins on each of 12 islands. But you must count in 6s to know how many coins you have in total. Step 1: Start at Island 1 with 6 coins. Step 2: Go to Island 2 and add 6 more. Now you have 12 coins. Step 3: Go to Island 3 and add 6 more. Now you have 18 coins. Step 4: Go to Island 4 and add 6 more. Now you have 24 coins. Step 5: Go to Island 5 and add 6 more. Now you have 30 coins. Step 6: Go to Island 6 and add 6 more. Now you have 36 coins. Step 7: Go to Island 7 and add 6 more. Now you have 42 coins. Step 8: Go to Island 8 and add 6 more. Now you have 48 coins. Step 9: Go to Island 9 and add 6 more. Now you have 54 coins. Step 10: Go to Island 10 and add 6 more. Now you have 60 coins. Step 11: Go to Island 11 and add 6 more. Now you have 66 coins. Step 12: Go to Island 12 and add 6 more. Now you have 72 coins. You found 72 coins in total! Now try counting backwards from 72 to 0, taking 6 coins away each time.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Skipping numbers in the sequence, like 6, 12, 18, 25, 30. Why it happens: Not paying attention or getting confused. Fix: Use a number line or count with your fingers to make sure you add 6 each time.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to count backwards or counting in 1s instead of 6s. Why it happens: Not understanding the pattern. Fix: Practice counting backwards slowly and use a visual number line to help.
  • Mistake: Adding 5 instead of 6. Why it happens: Confusing the 6s with the 5s table. Fix: Practice with a friend or use a skip-counting chant to remember: “6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72.”

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child learn 6 times table skip-counting in 5-10 minutes by:
  • Playing a quick game: Say “Count in 6s from 0,” and let your child count aloud. You can also count backwards together.
  • Using your fingers: Show 6 fingers, then 12, then 18, and so on. Count each group of 6.
  • Walking or jumping: Walk or jump 6 steps each time and count aloud.
  • Using a number line: Draw a line from 0 to 72 and mark every 6th number.
  • Practicing with real-life objects: Use 6 counters or coins to show groups of 6.
Don’t worry if your child makes mistakes. Mistakes are part of learning. Keep it fun and encourage them to keep trying.

Practice questions

  1. What is 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6? Answer: 36
  2. Count forwards in 6s from 0 to 36. Answer: 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36
  3. Count backwards in 6s from 72 to 0. Answer: 72, 66, 60, 54, 48, 42, 36, 30, 24, 18, 12, 6, 0
  4. What is 12 × 6? Answer: 72
  5. What is 54 ÷ 6? Answer: 9

FAQ

Why do we need to learn skip-counting?

Skip-counting helps you learn multiplication tables faster and makes it easier to solve problems quickly.

Can I count in 6s with my fingers?

Yes! You can use your fingers to help you count in 6s. For example, hold up 6 fingers, then 12 fingers, then 18 fingers, and so on.

How can I remember 6 times table skip-counting?

Try chanting it out loud, using a number line, or playing a skip-counting game with a friend.

What if I forget the 6 times table?

You can always count in 6s to find the answer. For example, if you forget 6 × 7, count: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42. That’s 42!

Is skip-counting only for 6s?

No! You can count in 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 7s, 8s, 9s, 10s, 11s, and 12s too. It’s a useful skill for all multiplication tables.