What Are Number Bonds worksheets? A Parent’s Guide to Year 1 & 2 Maths

Is Your Child Struggling with Basic Addition? Here’s How Number Bonds worksheets can help Many parents notice their children freeze up when asked to solve simple sums like 7 + 3 or 5 + 5. It’s not that they don’t understand numbers — they just haven’t built mental fluency. This is where number bonds come in.

Number bonds are one of the most effective mental maths tools taught in Key Stage 1. Mastering them gives children the confidence and speed to calculate without fingers or frustration.

In this guide, we’ll explain what number bonds are, why they’re essential in Year 1 and 2, and how you can help your child practice them at home.

What Are Number Bonds?

Number bonds are pairs of numbers that add up to a given total. For example:

• 3 + 7 = 10
• 5 + 5 = 10
• 6 + 4 = 10

They help children understand how numbers are connected and how addition and subtraction are related. By knowing that 6 + 4 = 10, they also know that 10 – 4 = 6.

These facts are often memorised so children can solve maths problems quickly and without counting. This is key for mental arithmetic in Year 1 and 2.

Why Number Bonds Matter in Year 1 and 2

In the UK National Curriculum, number bonds are a core objective in Key Stage 1 maths. They support essential learning by:

• Improving mental maths fluency
• Laying the foundation for times tables and division
• Developing number sense (understanding how numbers work)
• Supporting future learning such as column addition and subtraction

Children who master number bonds tend to perform better in SATs and develop stronger maths confidence early on.

Key Number Bonds Children Should Know

Here are the essential number bonds your child should know by heart:

Number Bonds to 10

• 0 + 10
• 1 + 9
• 2 + 8
• 3 + 7
• 4 + 6
• 5 + 5

Number Bonds to 20

• 11 + 9
• 12 + 8
• 13 + 7
• 14 + 6
• 15 + 5
• 16 + 4
• 17 + 3
• 18 + 2
• 19 + 1
• 20 + 0

Doubles (often practised alongside number bonds)

• 1 + 1
• 2 + 2
• 3 + 3
• 4 + 4
• 5 + 5
• 6 + 6

How to Practise Number Bonds at Home

1. Play Quick Fire Games
   Use interactive tools like a Hit the Button-style number bonds game. These fast-paced challenges encourage recall without stress.
2. Use Real-Life Scenarios
   Involve your child in problems like, “We have 4 apples but need 10 — how many more?” This reinforces the purpose behind the numbers.
3. Create Flashcards
   Prepare cards with missing number equations like “__ + 4 = 10” to encourage independent thinking.
4. Print Number Bond Mats
   Use visual tools like number circles to show how parts make up a whole. Great for helping children spot patterns.
5. Sing Number Bond Songs
   Many children retain number bonds better with rhythm. Find simple songs online for number bonds to 10 or 20.

Tips to Help Your Child Master Number Bonds

• Start with number bonds to 10 before introducing 20 or higher
• Keep sessions short but consistent (5 to 10 minutes daily)
• Emphasise accuracy before speed
• Celebrate effort, not just right answers
• Let them “teach back” to reinforce learning

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Problem: Relying on fingers too much
Solution: Use games and repetition to build recall without counting.

Problem: Learning without understanding
Solution: Use real-life contexts to show why the bonds matter.

Problem: Moving ahead too fast
Solution: Ensure mastery of smaller numbers before increasing complexity.

Recommended Tools and Games

• Hit the Button Number Bonds Game (timed and untimed practice)
• Coconut Multiples (for early multiplication concepts)
• Coins Game (to reinforce number combinations)
• Daily 10 (adjustable difficulty for quick recall practice)

These resources support different learning styles and make practice more engaging than worksheets alone.

Final Thoughts: Number Bonds Build Strong Foundations

Number bonds are more than early addition facts. They help children develop speed, confidence, and a lasting understanding of how numbers work together.

With just a few minutes of practice each day using games and everyday maths, you can help your child go from finger-counting to confident calculating — and actually enjoy it.

Start practicing today with our free number bonds game and support your child’s learning journey.