Make 10 Pop

How to play

The board is full of numbered bubbles. Tap one bubble, then tap a second bubble so the two numbers add up to the target. If they make 10, both bubbles pop and new ones float in. If they don't, the bubbles wobble and the game shows what the first number really needed.

On a computer, click the bubbles, or use the arrow keys to move between them and Enter to pick one. Press P to pause and F for full screen.

Two ways to play

Relaxed has no clock. Pop 15 pairs at your own pace and earn up to three stars for careful play. If your child gets stuck for a few seconds, one bubble from a matching pair starts to glow as a gentle hint.

60-second rush is a race. Pop as many pairs as you can in one minute. Five pairs in a row earns bonus points.

Help for early learners

Turn on ten-frame dots and every bubble shows its number as dots in a ten frame. A child who sees 7 dots can count the 3 empty spaces to find the partner. Leave Say pairs out loud on and the game says each pair, like "seven and three make ten", so children hear the bonds as well as see them.

The number bonds to 10

There are only five pairs to learn, plus 0 and 10:

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

Once these are automatic, a lot of math gets easier. To work out 8 + 5, a child who knows 8 needs 2 to make 10 can split the 5 into 2 and 3: 8 + 2 = 10, then 10 + 3 = 13. This "make a 10" strategy is used all through first and second grade, and it only works if the bonds come instantly.

Four levels, one skill

Tips for parents

1. Start with real objects. Put 10 coins or blocks on the table, hide some under a cup and ask how many are hidden. That is a number bond.
2. Use fingers on purpose. Hold up 6 fingers: the 4 folded down are the partner. Ten fingers are a built-in ten frame.
3. Say the pairs out loud. "Seven and three make ten" said a few times a day sticks better than silent practice. Leave read-aloud on in the game.
4. Little and often. Two or three relaxed rounds a day beat one long session at the weekend.
5. Move up when it's easy. When your child gets three stars with quick answers, try Make 20. The end screen tells you when they're ready.

For teachers

Make 10 Pop works on an interactive whiteboard as a whole-class warm-up: students call out the partner number before a volunteer taps. Use the 60-second rush for a quick class challenge, and switch on ten-frame dots for students who still need a visual model. There are no logins and nothing is stored on our servers.

Pair it with the printable number bonds worksheets and addition facts worksheets, or build a quick quiz with an answer key in the free math test generator.

More practice

• Times Table BlasterMultiplication game, Grades 2–5
• Number bonds lessonHow to teach them step by step
• Mental mathMake ten, doubles, near doubles
• All math gamesFree games by grade