Ten Frame Puzzles for Early Childhood Math

These Ten Frame Puzzles help teach kids number concepts. Kids will put the puzzles together to make the 10 frames complete.

To prepare the ten frame puzzles:

Print out the ten frame puzzles. Cut the ten frame puzzles like the photo shown below. The puzzles have two different pictures on them, so be sure to separate those. For example, if you print out the Farm set, each 10 frame has cows and pigs. Cut the puzzles so that one puzzle piece is all cows and the other puzzle piece is all pigs.

The first ten frame has 1 square separated from the rest (1+9).
The second ten frame has 2 squares separated from the rest (2+8).
The third ten frame has 3 squares separated from the rest (3+7).
Etc.

I have also included one page of ten frames that have only one picture (for example, only pigs), and you could print out multiple pages of that set and cut them apart the same way as described above. (See photo.) This page is only included in case some people prefer it. You don’t need to print it if you are planning to use the other 10 frames.

The last sheet has a blank 10 frame grid. Print extra copies of this page so that you have 10 blank ten frame grids. Have children place their puzzles on the grid as they put them together.

How to use the ten frame puzzles:

Children will put these 10 frames together like a puzzle. It’s a number puzzle where they will make 10 each time. Mix up the pieces and spread them out so children can see all of the choices. Each puzzle has two pieces. Have them select one and find a piece that will fit in the “missing” space. For example, if a puzzle is missing 4 squares of the 10 frame, it should be filled with a puzzle piece that has 4 squares.

When my preschool students played this game, some kids were able to put them together quickly, and for other kids, it was more of a challenge (but a good challenge).