Counting Backwards from 10

 


Learning to count backwards - and to understand what the numbers mean rather than just reciting them by rote - is another skill that gets built on in the future as children learn to subtract, get proficient with mental maths etc. Countdowns from 10 are fun but learn to count backwards from any number is important too.

Counting Backwards Practice

  • Practice a space ship countdown in suitably important voice! 
  • Play hide and seek and count backwards from 10 before calling out "Ready or not, here I come!"
  • Flash card practice. Print out some of our Number Cards - our Digit Cards would work well for this. Hold up the numbers and get your child to count backwards as you do so.
  • Hands on practice. Print out a set of our Number Cards and ask your child to put them in the correct order then count down - from 10, or from any other number that you point to.
  • Physical fun. Do you have 10 children? Give each of them a large number to hold (use some of our Number Cards or cut out large numbers using our Number Templates) and then ask them to line up from 1 to 10, and then from 10 to 1! Each time you get them to call out their number and bob up and down as they do so, with the rest of the class joining in with the counting.
  • Hopscotch counting. Draw the numbers 0 to 10 with chalk and get the kids to jump or hop along them and then hop back, counting as they go.
  • Use Ten Towers. Print out one of our numbered ten towers (from the resources section below). Put your finger on a number (you could pick one of our Number Cards to choose it) and count backwards to zero.
  • Use Number Lines. Print any of our Number Lines from 0 to 10 or 1 to 10 and display or use in front of you. Practise "hopping" down the line as you count. We've included appropriate Number Lines in the Resources section below.
  • Play Snap Challenge. At any time - in the car, out walking, in the bath, during a meal, surprise your child by saying "Snap Challenge! Count down from xx". Your child must answer as quickly as possible. Encourage your child to Snap Challenge you, too.
  • Play with cards. Use a set of our Number Cards. Place them face down on the table and shuffle them around. Take turns flipping a card over and counting down to zero from whatever number shows.
  • Worksheets. You will find a small collection of Missing Numbers "counting backwards" worksheets below.

Useful Printables

Our Resources

African Animals Number Line 0-10

African Animals Number Line 0-10

This African animals number line is such a fun way to cheer up tables and desks in the classroom. Just slice (and laminate if you wish) and get counting...

Birds Number Line 0-10

Birds Number Line 0-10

Learn to count with the help of our cute penguin, robin and owl! Slice these number lines up and laminate if you wish.

Farm Animals Number Line 0-10

Farm Animals Number Line 0-10

Who could resist a little counting practice when they are helped along with our pig, cow and sheep! These number lines have been designed to be extra quick to print, slice and use. Laminate for wearability if you wish.

Fill in the Missing Numbers 10 to 1

Fill in the Missing Numbers 10 to 1

The two worksheets in this pdf file provide lots of "counting down" practice for the kids. We leave out more and more numbers as we go! As an extra activity we ask the kids to colour or circle one number in each row.

Fill in the Missing Numbers Mixed to 10

Fill in the Missing Numbers Mixed to 10

We have 4 pages of these mixed "missing numbers" worksheets, progressing in difficulty throughout the pack. Use them when children need extra practice at counting up and down from 10, or for revision when these skills have been mastered.

Five Currant Buns Worksheet

Five Currant Buns Worksheet

This simple worksheet asks children to match each penny to a currant bun - just like in the rhyme Five Currant Buns. As they do that, colour in one of the numbers from left to right to see how many currant buns are left.

Minibeasts Number Line 0-10

Minibeasts Number Line 0-10

Help the kids learn to count with these extra cute minibeast number lines! We have an ant, bee and beetle to help them along...

Missing Numbers Worksheet Set 2

Missing Numbers Worksheet Set 2

Our second set of missing numbers worksheets works on "counting backwards" from 10 down to 1, and any number along the way. Help Felix the Fox with his counting backwards skills! There are 4 worksheets in the set, and they are available with UK and US school fonts.

Number Line 0-10 - Bees

Number Line 0-10 - Bees

These colourful number lines come with blue edges and cheerful bees to help the kids along. Just slice along the dotted lines to divide them up.

Number Line 0-10 - Kids

Number Line 0-10 - Kids

Cheerful children will encourage your kids to practise their counting skills on these cute number line printables...

Number Line 0-10 - Stars

Number Line 0-10 - Stars

Cheer up the desks or tables with these colourful number lines for little kids, complete with stars!

Sea creatures number line 0-10

Sea Creatures Number Line 0-10

Here are three easy-to-print number lines for early learning, with numbers 0 to 10 and some very cute sea creatures to help the kids learn to count!

Space countdown

Space Countdown

Count down with this fun, simple printable ... 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - Blast Off! You could put it up on your whiteboard or screen and click through the pages while the kids call out the numbers.

Ten Towers 0 to 10

Ten Towers 0 to 10

This useful Ten Towers printable can be used for counting practice or for display. Cut the "ten towers" apart (and laminate each one individually if you wish).

Ten Towers for Counting On and Counting Back

Ten Towers for Counting On and Counting Back

Print and cut out this set of 10 Ten Towers, on which we've highlighted the numbers in sequence. Pick up up and put your finger on the highlighted number, then show your child how to count on from that number, and count back from that number.

Ten Towers Numbered Black and White

Ten Towers Numbered Black and White

These simple black and white Ten Towers can help with counting activities, number bonds to 10, first addition, counting on and so on. Choose from 4 versions: with UK and US school fonts, and numbered up and down from 10.

Ten Towers Numbered Colour

Ten Towers Numbered Colour

Here are some colour versions of our Ten Towers, numbered both up and down from 10. Print and cut out 4 different towers to make counting colourful and fun. Choose from UK or US school fonts too.

Traffic Jam Number Line

Traffic Jam Number Line

Print out our traffic jam number line and leave it as it is to make a set of simple posters, or cut out the bright, simple cars and create a number line.

Become a Member to access 39,201 printables!