Skip Counting Practice

Practise counting by 2s, 5s and 10s — the bridge between counting and the multiplication tables.

Grades K–2 · 2.NBT⚡ Pattern sense
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How skip counting works

Skip counting means counting in equal jumps instead of by ones — 2, 4, 6… or 5, 10, 15… Spotting the pattern in the jumps is exactly the thinking behind the times tables later.

  1. Pick the step size (2, 5 or 10).
  2. Add that step each time to get the next number.
  3. Look for the pattern: 10s end in 0, 5s end in 5 or 0, 2s are all even.

Worked examples

Counting by 10s10, 20, 30, ? — add ten each time: the next is 40.
Counting by 5s25, 30, 35, ? — add five each time: the next is 40.
AD AREA (parent reading zone only — never shown during practice)

Tips & common mistakes

Skip counting by 2s, 5s and 10s is a direct head start on the 2, 5 and 10 times tables — the easiest tables to learn. Say the numbers in a rhythm; the pattern sticks faster that way. The first level lets you tap; the rest ask you to type the next number.

  • Adding by ones out of habit instead of the step size.
  • Losing the pattern partway (10, 20, 30, 31…).
  • Forgetting the step — check whether you’re jumping by 2, 5 or 10.

Frequently asked questions

What is skip counting?

Counting in equal jumps — by 2s, 5s or 10s — instead of one at a time. For example, 5, 10, 15, 20.

Why is skip counting important?

It builds the patterns behind multiplication. Counting by 5s is really the 5 times table.

What grade is skip counting?

It starts in kindergarten with 10s and develops through grade 2 with 2s and 5s.

How does it help with times tables?

Skip counting by a number gives you its multiples in order — a gentle on-ramp to learning that table.

Which step is easiest?

By 10s, because every number just ends in zero. Then 5s, then 2s.

Keep practising

← Number senseCountingTimes tables1st grade math

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