Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Skip Count Arcade: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Skip Count Arcade is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children fill in the missing numbers in counting patterns. They clear arcade style levels in 2s, 5s and 10s, then finish with a boss level about coins. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children work through the sheet like levels in an arcade game. Each level shows a row of numbers with some missing. Level 1 uses counting in 2s, Level 2 uses counting in 5s and Level 3 uses counting in 10s. Children spot the pattern, work out the jump from one number to the next and write the missing numbers in. The boss level is a short coin story, so children use their counting in a real life setting.
- Level 1: 2, 4, 6, ?, 10
- Level 1: 10, 12, ?, 16, ?
- Level 2: 5, 10, ?, 20, ?
- Level 2: 30, 35, ?, 45
- Level 3: 10, 20, ?, 40, ?
- Level 3: 70, 80, ?, 100
- Boss level: You have 3 coins. Each coin is 5p. How much money is that?
Counting in 5s with a different pattern
Fill in the missing number: 50, 55, ?, 65
This example uses different numbers from the sheet. It shows two ways children can find a missing number.
Method 1: find the jump- Look at two numbers that sit side by side: 50 and 55.
- Work out the jump between them. It is 5.
- Jump 5 on from 55 to reach the missing number.
- Start at 50 and say the numbers with a beat, pausing at the gap.
- Say the next number in the pattern.
- Check by saying it again and seeing that the next jump lands on 65.
Hands on ways to build the pattern
Counters in groups
Lay out counters in rows of 2, 5 or 10. Count the groups one by one and say the running total aloud as you add each group.
Floor number line
Write numbers on pieces of paper and lay them in order on the floor. Hop only on the numbers in a pattern and say each one as you land.
Coin piles
Use real or toy coins of the same value. Add them to a pile one at a time and say the total each time before you add the next.
What is skip counting?
Skip counting means counting in steps bigger than one. Instead of saying every number, children say every second, fifth or tenth number. It starts with counting in ones, so children need to be comfortable with numbers in order first. Skip counting also helps children see that numbers follow patterns, and that the pattern stays the same from one step to the next.
In Year 1, children count in multiples of twos, fives and tens. This is early groundwork for multiplication and division, because each jump stands for one group. It also links to money, where coins come in fives and tens. Saying the patterns aloud helps them stick, and it gives children a quick way to count larger amounts.
Skills and curriculum link
- Counting in 2s
- Counting in 5s and 10s
- Spotting number patterns
- Finding missing numbers
- Counting coins
Helper ideas for grown ups
- Say it aloudSaying the pattern out loud helps children hear the rhythm. Chant it together before writing anything down.
- Look at the gapAsk your child to look at two numbers that sit side by side. How far apart are they? That jump is the key to the pattern.
- Check by counting onAfter filling in a missing number, read the whole row again from the start. It should sound smooth, with the same jump each time.
- Use real thingsCounters, coins or small toys in equal groups let children see what each jump means before they write numbers.
Key words
- Skip countCount in jumps bigger than one, such as 2s, 5s or 10s.
- PatternNumbers that follow a rule again and again.
- Missing numberA number left out of a row. You work out what belongs in the gap.
- JumpThe amount you add each time when you skip count.
- Count onStart at a number and say the next numbers in order.
- PenceThe small units of UK money. The letter p stands for pence.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read each level aloud. Say the counting pattern together before your child writes the missing numbers.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice and ask how they knew.
- Check against the answers on page 2. Praise careful thinking as well as correct numbers.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use real counters or coins. Move them into groups of 2, 5 or 10 and count along. Start with the first level only and say the pattern aloud. Point to each number as you say it, and come back to harder levels later.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to count on in 2s, 5s or 10s from any number you choose, without a sheet. Then ask them to make up a missing number row of their own and see if you can solve it.
Make it a game
Give a high five for each level cleared. Say the arcade sound effects out loud as you go. Take turns to be the game master, who says a pattern with one number missing while the other player calls out the gap.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child counts in ones and fills the gap with the next number in order.
Try thisLook at two numbers side by side and ask how far apart they are. Then count the jump with counters to see it.
Watch forA child mixes up counting in 5s and counting in 10s.
Try thisCount the same row with counters, first in groups of 5 and then in groups of 10. Say each pattern aloud and notice the difference.
Watch forOn the coin question, a child writes the number of coins instead of the total value.
Try thisAsk what each coin is worth. Put the coins in a line and count their value aloud, one coin at a time.
Talk about it
- What do you notice about the numbers in this row?
- How far is it from one number to the next?
- How did you know what number was missing?
- Which level felt easiest and why?
- Can you think of a time you count in 2s, 5s or 10s at home?
- How could you check that your answer is right?
Take it off the page
Sock pairs
Match up clean socks into pairs. Count the socks in 2s as you go and say each total aloud.
Hand counting
Trace hands on paper. Count the fingers in 5s as you add each hand, then count in 10s with two hands at a time.
Tidy up by tens
Put small toys into piles of ten. Count the piles in 10s and see how far you can get.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first level, then let them lead. Say each pattern aloud together before writing. If they get stuck, bring out counters or coins and make the groups.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The levels move through 2s, 5s and 10s, so it suits mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider maths plan and pair it with counting walks, coin play and everyday talk. It is free to print again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in maths
Before this sheet, children learn to count forwards in ones, say numbers in order and count objects with care. These skills give them the sense of order that skip counting depends on.
After this, children keep counting in steps, including from different starting points and in new step sizes. Later, this becomes multiplication and division, where each jump stands for a group.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Skip Count Arcade for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Confident children in Reception may enjoy it with a grown up, and Year 2 children can use it for revision.
- What will children practise?
They practise counting in 2s, 5s and 10s, spotting number patterns and finding missing numbers. This links to the National Curriculum strand on number and place value, counting in multiples of twos, fives and tens.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use real counters or coins. Move them into groups of 2, 5 or 10 and count along. Try one level at a time and say each pattern aloud before writing anything down.
- Does the sheet come with answers?
Yes. Page 2 is for the grown up and has the answers, along with notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Children read, think and write by hand.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.