Ten Frame Games for Kindergarten: Winter Counting to 10

Looking for a fun kindergarten winter math idea? Let’s explore ten frame games for kindergarten as we work on numbers 1-10. This snowman counting activity is perfect for January!

Ten Frame Games for Kindergarten

Wintertime is the perfect season to make learning math extra cozy and fun! Ten frames are a wonderful way to introduce counting and number recognition for kindergarten students. But why stick with regular old number cards when you can bring some winter magic to the classroom? Learning becomes a snowy adventure with ten frame games for kindergarten, like worksheets where students count snowflakes around a polar bear and fill in the ten frame. Let’s explore why ten frames are essential, how these winter worksheets can make counting engaging, and a few more game ideas to keep the winter fun going! Plus don’t miss this glue snowman craft,  free winter coloring sheets, and winter activities for kids

What is a Ten Frame?

A ten frame is a simple yet effective tool used in early math education to help young learners understand numbers and basic counting. It’s a 2×5 rectangular grid with ten spaces, and it’s used to visually organize numbers up to ten. Each square can hold a single object (like a counter, dot, or drawing), helping students see numbers in a structured way.

The ten frame is especially useful for teaching number sense—the ability to understand numbers, their values, and their relationships to each other. By filling in the ten frame, children can see how numbers build up to ten, how numbers can be broken down (for example, 6 is 5 + 1), and how much is needed to reach ten. It provides a clear, consistent way to show quantities and helps kids recognize patterns and relationships in numbers.

For kindergarten students, ten frames are incredibly helpful in laying the groundwork for addition, subtraction, and understanding numbers in groups—skills that are essential for future math success. And when you add a seasonal twist, like snowflakes and polar bears, ten frames become even more engaging and memorable for young learners!

Why Ten Frames?

Ten frames are a powerful tool for helping young learners understand numbers. They provide a clear, visual way to see the relationship between numbers and how they add up to ten, which is foundational for future math skills like addition and subtraction. For kindergarten students, ten frames take abstract numbers and make them concrete, showing them “how many” and what’s “missing” in a simple, accessible way. And with winter-themed activities, counting and filling in ten frames becomes a delightful seasonal exercise that students look forward to.

Kindergarten winter math

This game or activity is a great way to get students started when it comes to using and understanding a ten frame. Allow them to work through the worksheet. Feel free to add some pom poms to make it even more interactive.

Counting Snowflakes and Polar Bears

Winter ten frame games for kindergarten add a seasonal twist to the classic ten frame. Imagine a page with a polar bear surrounded by a few snowflakes. The task? Have students count the snowflakes around the polar bear. After that, they fill in the ten frame with that number. Finally, trace the number to reinforce recognition. Here’s how each step helps kindergarteners build their math skills:

Counting the Snowflakes

The first step is counting the snowflakes around the polar bear, which builds number recognition and one-to-one correspondence. This step allows students to visually see each snowflake and practice saying the number aloud.

Filling in the Ten Frame

Next, students fill in the ten frame with the corresponding number of snowflakes. This step reinforces their understanding of quantity and allows them to practice placing objects in a ten frame, seeing how numbers relate to ten.

Tracing the Number

Finally, students trace the number associated with the snowflakes and ten frame. This step adds a bit of handwriting practice, helping students recognize and form numbers correctly.

Winter ten frame worksheets are a well-rounded activity, combining counting, visual organization, and handwriting in one engaging package!

Winter counting

Here are a few more ways to make ten frames a winter wonderland of learning!

Snowball Ten Frame Toss

Create a large ten frame on the floor using tape and give each student “snowballs” (white pom-poms or crumpled paper). Call out a number, and have students toss the right number of snowballs into the ten frame squares. This active game is perfect for getting kids moving while practicing counting.

Winter Puzzle Game

Use winter puzzles and have students complete the puzzles for 1-10 or 1-20. It is an easy game that can be developed and changed into whatever your classroom needs!

Winter Ten Frame Bingo

Make bingo cards with ten frames on each square, showing different numbers of snowflakes in each frame. As you call out numbers, students cover the corresponding ten frames on their cards. This game helps students recognize numbers in a different visual format and is a fun twist on traditional bingo.

Hot Cocoa Ten Frame Addition

For students ready for a challenge, create ten frames representing different numbers of marshmallows in a cup of hot cocoa. Give each student two cups (ten frames) and ask them to count how many marshmallows are in each cup, then add them together for a total. This activity introduces the basics of addition while keeping things simple and sweet.

Snowman counting

These winter ten frame games and activities bring counting and number recognition to life, letting students learn and play with numbers in a way that’s as fun as it is effective. Winter-themed worksheets and games give kindergarteners a bit of holiday magic and a solid foundation for future math skills. So bundle up, break out the ten frames, and let the winter learning begin!