Skip Counting — 1st Grade Lesson
Students will skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s to 100 and recognize the patterns.
1st Grade · Skip Counting · ~20 min lesson
What is skip counting?
Skip counting is counting by a number bigger than 1 — it skips over numbers. Instead of 1, 2, 3, you say 2, 4, 6. Each time you add the same step.
Count by 10s (easiest)
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
Notice: the tens digit goes up by 1, and the ones digit stays 0.
Count by 5s
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50
Fives end in 5 or 0, alternating.
Count by 2s
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
Twos stay even — they are all even numbers.
Why skip counting matters
Skip counting is fast addition — adding the same number over and over. It’s the direct stepping stone to multiplication:
Count by 5s to 25: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 → that’s 5 × 5 = 25.
Counting on a number line
Skip counting jumps the same distance each time on a number line — a pattern you can see and touch.
How to practice at home
- Count stairs by 2s as you climb.
- Count money with nickels (5s) and dimes (10s).
- Count fingers and toes by 10s.
- Skip-count songs to lock in the patterns.
Practice with the exercises above, then download these free printable worksheets:
Practice Exercises
Try these on your own, then reveal the answer to check.
Count by 2s: 2, 4, 6, ___
💡 Add 2 each time.
Count by 5s: 5, 10, 15, ___
💡 Add 5 each time.
Count by 10s: 10, 20, 30, ___
💡 Add 10 each time.
What comes next: 12, 14, 16, ___?
💡 This is counting by 2s.
What comes next: 45, 50, 55, ___?
💡 This is counting by 5s.
How many fingers do 3 students have if they all hold up both hands?
💡 Count by 10s: 10, 20, 30.
Printable Worksheets
Put this lesson into practice with free, printable worksheets — each with an answer key.
Before You Start
- Counting to 100 by ones
- Addition basics
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Skipping a number when counting (like saying 2, 4, 6, 9)
- Forgetting to keep the same step the whole way
What to Learn Next
Browse more Skip Counting worksheets or explore all 1st Grade worksheets.
Related Worksheets
1st Grade Skip Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s
Fill in the missing numbers. Each row counts by 2s, 5s, or 10s.
Skip Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s Worksheet
Fill in the missing numbers as you skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s — the bridge to multiplication.
Skip Counting by 3s and 4s Worksheet
Fill in the missing numbers as you skip count by 3s and by 4s — a step toward the 3 and 4 times tables.
Skip Counting Worksheet Set 2
Set 2 adds missing-number patterns and new starting points. Keep the step the same — 2, 5, or 10 — every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is skip counting important?
Skip counting is the foundation of multiplication. Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s builds the exact patterns used in the times tables and makes counting money and objects much faster.
When should a child learn skip counting?
Most children begin skip counting in 1st grade, first by 10s, then 5s and 2s. By 2nd grade they add 3s and 4s as they build toward multiplication.
Original & reviewed. Every worksheet is created in-house from a grade-level skill brief, checked for a correct answer key, and reviewed for grade-appropriateness. Our editorial policy.