Click here to read A String Obstacle Course to Find the Number Bonds to 10 on Hands On As We Grow®
I had a lot of fun making this string obstacle course. And the boys had a lot of fun practicing matching numbers as well as number bonds to 10.
Number bonds is a new term for me, so I think I should explain how I understand it.
Basically, its a math addition fact. What are all the number pairs that equal 10? 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 6+4, 5+5 and backwards. Those are the number bonds of the number 10.
This is how they’re teaching addition facts in kindergarten and first grade these days. Henry brings home several worksheets where he found all the number bonds of a given number.
We did this worksheet-free at home (of course) with a gross motor obstacle course that I made with string.
George did the string obstacle course to find the matching numbers, while Henry found the number bonds to 10.
I used a deck of cards for the numbers. But sticky notes, or index cards would work the same if we wanted to try higher numbers.
Before doing the activity with the kids, I first had to set it up quickly.
I wove string back and forth between a hallway of chairs. Much like we’ve done in the past with the S is for Spider Web and Lowercase Letters Scavenger Hunt. But this time, I kept the string low to the ground and mostly all at the same level (not really up and down at all).
The string setup reminds me of the tire courses that football players use to step through.
This had the same concept. The boys stepped through the string obstacle course.
Of course, I love move and learn activities, so I added a learning concept to this for both boys.
I clipped numbers from a deck of cards onto the string using clothespins. I used binder clips (affiliate link) for Henry to strengthen his fingers more.
For George, I made sure to have a match of each card for him to find. He found two fours, two twos, two fives and so on.
I set up Henry’s numbers to make number bonds to 10. He chose a number, 4 for example, and found the matching number bond, 6, as he stepped through the course.
I taped two lines on the floor with the cards separated for each boy. We took turns going through the course. Eventually when they were getting antsy to go, go, go, they went at the same time.
Henry chose his number to begin with and looked to find the number bond match.
And George the same with a more basic number match (perfect for a preschooler learning his numbers).
This activity had so much going on! It was definitely a hit.
Henry practiced number bonds to 10.
George practiced matching and recognizing numbers.
They each got up and moving working on gross motor skills.
They each worked on fine motor skills with the clothespins.
And we all had smiles and fun doing it!
I call that a winner of an activity!
More number activities you might like:
More move and learn ideas:
- Paper Airplane Game for Sight Words from This Reading Mama
- Fun Sight Word Ghost Zappers at Coffee Cups & Crayons
- Pumpkin Patch Pretend Play at Toddler Approved
- See all our Move & Learn Activities
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