Free Printable Missing Numbers 1-20 Math Task Cards

Kids love solving mysteries! As a teacher, I have always found that a good way to get my students excited about math and practice the skill of missing numbers is to tell them we need to solve a mystery. We love pretending to be number detectives to see if we can find the missing numbers. These Free School Theme Missing Numbers 1-20 Math Task Cards are perfect for little math detectives looking for a case to solve! Get your detective hats ready and see if you can crack the case of the missing numbers!

missing number task cards with a school theme.

Recommended Grade Level:

Kinder g arten

1st Grade

Supply List
Coordinating Activities

Materials for the Missing Number Task Cards:

Paper
Laminating Supplies
Paper Cutter
Dry Erase Marker

Learning About Number Sequence:

kindergarten math activities

ASKING STUDENTS TO FIND THE MISSING NUMBER IN SEQUENCE HELPS IDENTIFY PATTERNS. STUDENTS CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE:

What number comes before 5?
When I’m counting what comes after 10?
How are the numbers 10 and 20 similar and different?

Before kids can start adding and subtracting numbers it’s important to know the pattern of numbers.

Our free math printable for kindergarten can be used alongside number lines, popsicle sticks and ten frames.

The number recognition activity can be used in small groups, in a math center, or with an individual child.

In addition to learning about number sense here are some more ideas for what you can teach using kindergarten math skills:

number counting
addition and subtraction
number patterns
skip counting (1,5,10)

write the missing number in the sequence with a dry erase marker.

What Can Students Learn With the Missing Numbers Activity For Kindergarten?

printable math kindergarten activity

ASKING STUDENTS TO BRAINSTORM THE MISSING NUMBER IS AN IMPORTANT COGNITIVE SKILL. STUDENTS CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE:

How can I figure out what number is missing?
How do I show the number I came up with?
Do any of these numbers look the same?

Why Is It Important For Kids To Practice Math Skills?

Besides the fact that kids love hands on activities, there are so many other reasons you should include math throughout your day:

Math Helps You Cook: When a child is cooking or baking with an adult they will use measuring and time related skills. This seems like so much more fun than a counting worksheet.

Math Helps You Tell Time: Children must understand numbers and counting in order to tell time and process how long a minute is versus 60 minutes.

Math Helps You Problem Solve: Do you have enough money in the store to buy the chips or the strawberries? Adding, subtracting and understanding more and less can help children problem solve.

Math Helps Create Pictures: When children draw or paint pictures they are using different shapes to construct their object. How many squares are in your building? How many lines did you have to draw to make a triangle in your bridge?

How To Use This Printable For Kindergarten Math:

Enter your email below and then check your email to get the activity.
Print and laminate the activity for durability.

Using the Printable

Add the free printable math activity to your math and writing center! Kids can use these to practice writing numbers, counting, and creating patterns.

Once the pages are laminated, there are many learning activities you can use them for, including using dry-erase markers.

Extend the Activity:

Sequencing Cards

Cut out the numbers and see if your child can put the numbers in the correct sequence. You can sort from least to greatest or greatest to least.

Ten Frame

Include a ten frame and some fun manipulatives or counters to give students a hands on opportunity to find the missing number.

Who Is Missing?

Give your students a number card and have two students stand in the front. The children will have to figure out which other child sitting down has the missing number. Talk about the different combinations they can make.

Write the Room

Place task cards around the room. Students must find the cards around the room and fill in the missing numbers. You could give each child a whiteboard to record answers.