MathBot Academy

Number Bonds Games for Kids

Number Bonds practice for children aged 4–7 across EYFS / KS1.

This page supports fluency-building, confidence checks, and progression into mixed-maths missions.

Curriculum focus: instant recall of complement pairs (to 5, 10, 20, 100).
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What to practise

  • Use short daily drills to build automatic retrieval.
  • Mix untimed explanation rounds with faster accuracy rounds.
  • Track weak patterns and revisit them every 2–3 days.

Teaching tips

  • Use visual pairing first, then move to rapid recall.
  • Connect bonds to both addition and subtraction equations.
  • Revisit mastered bonds weekly to protect retention.

How to work it out

Step-by-step worked examples to talk through together.

Bonds to 10: 3 + ? = 10

  1. 1 Count on from 3 to 10
  2. 2 3 + 7 = 10
  3. 3 So the missing number is 7

Bonds to 20: 14 + ? = 20

  1. 1 14 is 4 more than 10
  2. 2 10 + 6 = 16… try again: 14 + 6 = 20
  3. 3 Missing number is 6

Quick tips for parents & teachers

  • Use physical objects first (fingers, counters) before moving to mental recall.
  • Say the bond pair aloud together: "3 and 7 make 10" — rhythm helps memory.
  • Once bonds to 10 are solid, bonds to 20 and 100 come much faster.

Related pages

Continue with connected practice routes.

Addition Missing Number Brackets Division Multiplication Remainders Square Roots Squares Subtraction Times Tables

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should we practise this topic?

Most learners improve with 10–15 minutes on most school days.

Should we focus only on weak questions?

Prioritise weak areas, but keep a mix of secure questions to maintain confidence.

How do we know when to move on?

Move on when speed and accuracy are both stable across multiple sessions.