Skip Counting
Learn to count by 2s, 5s and 10s — forwards and backwards. Skip counting is a fast way to count big numbers!
Counting by 2s
When we count by 2s, we jump over every other number. We land on even numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 …
Hopping along by 2s
+2 each hop!
Going backwards by 2s: 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 … We take away 2 each time.
Counting by 5s
When we count by 5s, we add 5 each time. Numbers always end in 0 or 5. Think about counting fingers — each hand has 5!
Hopping along by 5s
+5 each hop!
Going backwards by 5s: 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 … We take away 5 each time.
Counting by 10s
When we count by 10s, we add 10 each time. The numbers always end in 0. This is the fastest way to count big groups!
Hopping along by 10s
+10 each hop!
Going backwards by 10s: 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 … We take away 10 each time.
Key Vocabulary
Skip Counting
Counting by jumping over numbers in equal steps, like 2s, 5s or 10s.
Pattern
A rule that repeats. Skip counting makes a number pattern where each step is the same size.
Forwards
Going up — adding numbers as you count. For example: 10, 20, 30 …
Backwards
Going down — taking away numbers as you count. For example: 30, 20, 10 …
Worked Examples
Fill in the missing numbers: 4, 6, ___, 10, ___
Step 1: Find the pattern. 6 − 4 = 2, so we are counting by 2s.
Step 2: 6 + 2 = 8. Then 10 + 2 = 12.
Answer: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
Count by 5s: 15, 20, ___, 30, ___
Step 1: Each hop adds 5. 20 + 5 = 25.
Step 2: 30 + 5 = 35.
Answer: 15, 20, 25, 30, 35
Count backwards by 10s starting at 50.
Step 1: Start at 50 and take away 10 each time.
Answer: 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 0
Knowledge Check
Pick the correct answer!
Question 1
What comes next? 2, 4, 6, 8, ___
Question 2
Count by 5s: 25, 30, 35, ___
Question 3
What is missing? 40, ___, 60, 70
Question 4
Counting backwards by 2s: 14, 12, 10, ___
Question 5
Which number does NOT fit in the pattern? 5, 10, 15, 22, 25
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Counting by 2s lands on even numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 …
- ●Counting by 5s always ends in 0 or 5: 5, 10, 15, 20 …
- ●Counting by 10s always ends in 0: 10, 20, 30, 40 …
- ●We can count forwards (adding) or backwards (taking away) in any pattern.
- ●Skip counting helps us count large groups quickly!