Number patterns games
Choose a game, or try a different year.
Reception
For parents and teachers
These maths games bring together related learning across Reception to Year 0. Start with a familiar skill, then try the next challenge when your child is ready. A school may teach these ideas in a different order; use the curriculum statements below to choose a suitable game.
The quoted headings and statements come from the National Curriculum in England. Reception statements are early learning goals quoted from the EYFS statutory framework. Every game has its own explanation and free printable. Talk through a question together before playing independently, and use the printable to return to a tricky idea away from the screen.
Notes on each game and its curriculum statement
Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception)
Reception: Is it a double?
Numerical Patterns: “Explore and represent patterns within numbers up to 10, including evens and odds, double facts and how quantities can be distributed equally”
A double is when two parts are the same, like 2 and 2. Children spot doubles and learn that they make a total, such as 2 and 2 make 4.
Each card shows two groups of yellow dots with numbers. Children sort them into "A double" or "Not a double".
Play Is it a double? · Free printable
Reception: Odd or even?
Numerical Patterns: “Explore and represent patterns within numbers up to 10, including evens and odds, double facts and how quantities can be distributed equally”
Even numbers can be shared into pairs with none left over. Odd numbers always leave one on its own.
Each card shows a number with that many socks, shoes, gloves, cherries or boots. Children pair them up and sort the card into even or odd.
Play Odd or even? · Free printable
Reception: Count beyond 20
Numerical Patterns: “Verbally count beyond 20, recognising the pattern of the counting system”
Counting beyond 20 means carrying on past 20, noticing the pattern: 21, 22, 23 follow the same 1 to 9 pattern as before.
Each round shows four numbers mixed up. Children put them in counting order, starting from the smallest.