Making Maths Visual with Numicon
If you have a child in Year 1 or Year 2, you have probably seen those colourful plastic shapes with holes in them. Those are called Numicon tiles, and they are one of the best tools we have for helping children understand numbers.
Many children find maths a bit tricky because numbers can feel quite abstract. It is hard to imagine what “14” really looks like. Our Numicon Shape Addition Activities for Kids Within 20 are designed to turn those abstract numbers into something solid and visual.
This resource is perfect for children aged 5 to 7 who are starting to move beyond basic counting. By using the familiar shapes, children can literally see how two numbers join together to make a bigger total. It takes the guesswork out of addition and helps build real confidence.
What is included in this resource?
This pack is full of simple, clear activities that use the different Numicon shapes to represent numbers. Instead of just looking at the digits 8 + 5, children see the green 8-shape and the red 5-shape.
The Numicon Shape Addition Activities focus on sums that go up to 20. This is a big milestone in the UK National Curriculum for Year 1 and Year 2. Learning to “cross the tens boundary”—for example, seeing how 8 and 5 make 13—is much easier when you can see how the shapes fit together.
Our Numicon shape addition sheets give children plenty of space to work. They can count the holes, draw the shapes, or write the numbers underneath. It is all about making the connection between the physical shape and the written sum.
What will your child practise?
When children use these activities, they aren’t just memorising facts. They are developing a “number sense.” Here are a few things they will work on:
- Recognising numbers instantly without counting every hole.
- Understanding how two small numbers make a larger one.
- Learning “number bonds” (pairs of numbers that make 10 or 20).
- Building the confidence to try harder sums.
If your child is still working on smaller totals, you might also like to look at our EYFS Activities for more basic number games. For those who are ready for a bit more of a challenge, our KS1 Maths Resources cover a wide range of topics to keep them moving forward.
Tips for using this at home or in the classroom
You don’t need a degree in maths to help your child with these activities. Here are two simple ways to get the most out of them:
1. Use the “Look and Say” method Before your child starts writing, ask them to look at the shapes and tell you what they see. For example, “I see a blue shape and a yellow shape.” Ask them if they can remember what numbers those colours represent. This helps them learn the values of the shapes without feeling like they are doing “work.”
2. Match with real tiles If you have the physical Numicon tiles at home or in school, encourage your child to place the real plastic tiles directly on top of the pictures on our worksheets. This hands-on Numicon shape addition makes the learning much more memorable. Once they have matched the shapes, they can count the total holes to find the answer.
Helping your child feel confident
Maths should be about exploring and having a go, rather than just getting the right answer straight away. These activities are designed to be stress-free. The bright colours and clear layouts help children feel like they are playing a game rather than sitting a test.
Whether you are a teacher looking for a quick morning activity or a parent wanting to support your child’s learning at the kitchen table, these sheets are a great way to make addition feel simple.
You’re doing a great job supporting your child’s learning, and we’re here to help make it just a little bit easier for you.
