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Times Tables

7 times table skip-counting practice

Count forwards and backwards in 7s with number lines, movement games and call-and-response practice.

Quick answer

Skip-counting in 7s means counting forwards and backwards by 7s, like 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119, 126, 133, 140, 147, 154, 161, 168, 175, 182, 189, 196, 203, 210, and so on. You can do this on a number line, with your body, or by chanting.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to count forwards and backwards in 7s, using number lines, body movements, and call-and-response games. Success signs:
  • You can say the 7 times table up to 12 x 7
  • You can count forwards and backwards in 7s on a number line
  • You can use your body or a game to help you remember
  • You can solve simple problems using skip-counting in 7s

Why this matters

Skip-counting in 7s helps you learn your 7 times table quickly. This skill is useful in many real-life situations:
  • When you're counting football scores
  • When you're sharing snacks equally among friends
  • When you're planning how many days are in a week
  • When you're learning multiplication facts for bigger numbers
  • When you're playing games that use 7s, like some board games or card games
Knowing your 7s helps you do bigger maths faster and easier. It's like having a superpower for counting!

How it works

Counting in 7s means adding 7 each time.
  • Start with 0
  • Add 7 to get 7
  • Add 7 again to get 14
  • Add 7 again to get 21
  • Keep adding 7
This is the same as repeated addition: 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 49. You can also think of it as 7 groups of 7 = 49. When you count backwards, you take away 7 each time:
  • Start with 140
  • Take away 7 to get 133
  • Take away 7 again to get 126
  • Keep taking away 7

Examples you can see

Here is the 7 times table skip-counting from 0 to 12:
7 × Answer
0 0
1 7
2 14
3 21
4 28
5 35
6 42
7 49
8 56
9 63
10 70
11 77
12 84
You can also show this on a number line:
  1. Start at 0
  2. Jump 7 spaces to 7
  3. Jump 7 more spaces to 14
  4. Jump 7 more spaces to 21
  5. Jump 7 more spaces to 28
  6. Jump 7 more spaces to 35
  7. Jump 7 more spaces to 42
  8. Jump 7 more spaces to 49
  9. Jump 7 more spaces to 56
  10. Jump 7 more spaces to 63
  11. Jump 7 more spaces to 70
  12. Jump 7 more spaces to 77
  13. Jump 7 more spaces to 84
Let’s imagine you are counting your marbles. You have 7 bags, and each bag has 7 marbles. How many marbles do you have in total?
  • 1 bag = 7 marbles
  • 2 bags = 14 marbles
  • 3 bags = 21 marbles
  • 4 bags = 28 marbles
  • 5 bags = 35 marbles
  • 6 bags = 42 marbles
  • 7 bags = 49 marbles

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a treasure hunt! You are a pirate looking for treasure on a secret island. The treasure is hidden in a chest that opens when you count in 7s. Here’s your mission:
  1. Start at 0
  2. Count forward in 7s to find the first clue
  3. Jump to 7
  4. Jump to 14
  5. Jump to 21
  6. Jump to 28
  7. Jump to 35
  8. Jump to 42
  9. Jump to 49
  10. Jump to 56
  11. Jump to 63
  12. Jump to 70
  13. Jump to 77
  14. Jump to 84
Now, let’s go backwards to find the treasure chest:
  1. Start at 84
  2. Count backwards in 7s to find the treasure
  3. Take away 7 to get 77
  4. Take away 7 to get 70
  5. Take away 7 to get 63
  6. Take away 7 to get 56
  7. Take away 7 to get 49
  8. Take away 7 to get 42
  9. Take away 7 to get 35
  10. Take away 7 to get 28
  11. Take away 7 to get 21
  12. Take away 7 to get 14
  13. Take away 7 to get 7
  14. Take away 7 to get 0
You found the treasure! Now you know how to count in 7s forwards and backwards.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Skipping numbers or jumping by 8s instead of 7s.
    Why it happens: It’s easy to get confused when counting quickly.
    Fix: Use a number line or count on your fingers to keep track.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 x 7 = 0.
    Why it happens: Some children think that 0 is not a number.
    Fix: Remember that 0 groups of 7 = 0 marbles.
  • Mistake: Counting backwards and getting confused.
    Why it happens: Counting backwards is harder than forwards.
    Fix: Practice counting backwards from 100 in 7s to build confidence.
  • Mistake: Thinking 7 + 7 = 15.
    Why it happens: Adding quickly can make mistakes.
    Fix: Use counters or draw groups to check your answer.

Parent and carer guide

Here are 5 ways you can help your child practice 7 times table skip-counting:
  1. Use a number line: Draw a line from 0 to 100 and mark every 7th number. Have your child jump along the line.
  2. Count together: Count in 7s together while walking or driving. It's a fun way to pass time!
  3. Use body movements: Have your child jump, clap, or stomp for each 7 in the count.
  4. Play games: Use dice or cards to make a game where your child counts in 7s.
  5. Use real life: Count the days in a week, or the number of legs on 7 cats.
Remember: Practice is important, but don’t push too hard. Keep it fun and positive. If your child makes a mistake, help them gently and encourage them to try again.

Practice questions

  1. What is 7 + 7 + 7 + 7?
  2. Count forward in 7s from 0 to 35.
  3. Count backwards in 7s from 84 to 21.
  4. What is 9 × 7?
  5. How many legs are on 7 spiders?
Answers:
  1. 28
  2. 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35
  3. 84, 77, 70, 63, 56, 49, 42, 35, 28, 21
  4. 63
  5. 56

FAQ

Why is it important to learn the 7 times table?

Learning the 7 times table helps you solve bigger maths problems faster. It’s useful in daily life, like when you're sharing things equally or counting in groups.

How can I remember the 7 times table?

You can remember it by counting in 7s, using songs or rhymes, drawing pictures, or using your fingers. Practice every day to build your memory.

Can I count backwards in 7s?

Yes! Counting backwards in 7s is just like counting forwards, but you take away 7 each time. It’s a great way to check your math.

What if I forget a number in the 7 times table?

Don’t worry! You can count in 7s from the start, or use a number line to help you. It's normal to need to think about it at first.

How can I make skip-counting fun?

You can make it fun by jumping, clapping, singing, or playing games. Try counting in 7s while playing a game or walking to school.