As your students progress in their counting skills, they will find that there will be instances where skipping some numbers is necessary to count faster and with more accuracy.

We call this exercise “skip counting”—or simply, counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, etc.

Not only does it help students identify relationships between numbers, skip counting reinforces number value, and sets up students for practicing algebraic thinking such as multiplication tables and basic division.

In addition, they’ll also see that not all counting has to start at 0.

With our Skip Counting to 120 Task Cards, students will practice forward skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.

How to Play Our Skip Counting 2s, 5s, and 10s Game

This resource can be used in a math center when learning about number patterns and skip counting.

To play, students will use a recording sheet to fill in the missing number on a task card, counting by either 2s, 5s, or 10s.

This activity can also be used to give your whole class or guided small group for some additional skip counting practice—see our ideas below!

Get More Out Of Our Skip Counting Game

Looking for skip counting review games, lesson support games, and scoot activities that get your whole class’ bodies and minds moving? We’ve thought up a few ideas for you.

Gallery Walk

Mix the cards up and hang all 20 around the room to have your students complete a gallery walk. Working either alone or in pairs, assign a task card to each and have them rotate around the cards (on your signal), writing the missing number on their recording sheet or a sheet of paper until they have completed each one.

Group Lesson 

Using your smartboard or another projection device, present each task card and work through the missing 2s, 5s, and 10s, sequences together as a whole class. When the number is decided, write it on the line for students to see. Challenge students to take the patterns farther by telling you the digit that should appear before the first number in the sequence, and the last number. Write them into the card.

Mirror Game

This activity is a spin on the classic “Newlywed Game” and works best with small groups because you’ll need enough dry erase boards and markers for each student. Divide the students into 2 groups, and have the students sit down in 2 lines facing each other. Show the students a sequence from one of the task cards, and say the numbers out loud. Students will get 10 seconds to write the missing number on their board. On your cue (for example, you say “Ready, Set, Go!”) the students turn their boards around so their partner can see their answer. If both students in a pair have the correct answer, they get 2 points. If one has the correct answer, the team gets 1 point.

Change the Difficulty Level if Needed

If your students need visual assistance, you can refer them to a number display.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print the task cards on cardstock for added durability and longevity. To make this game more sustainable, print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a dry-erase marker, then erase and reuse.

As a center activity, cut out the task cards and punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. Place all game parts in a folder or large envelope.

Before You Download

Please use the dropdown arrow on the Download button to choose between Google Slides or the PDF version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

This resource was created by Nicole Ellis, a teacher in New York and a Teach Starter Collaborator.

We’ve got lots more skip counting activities where that came from!

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Skipping Through 120 - Worksheet

A worksheet to practice skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.

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Skip Counting Robot Worksheets - 2s, 5s, and 10s

A set of 4 robot-themed worksheets for students to practice skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.

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Skip Counting by 10s Dominoes

A set of dominoes to use in the classroom when learning to skip count by 10.