Quick answer: Counting to 20 worksheets teach children to count objects up to 20, write the numbers 11 to 20 and see each teen number as ten and some more. This page has 5 free printable counting to 20 worksheets with answer keys for kindergarten. Updated October 2026.
About these counting to 20 worksheets
The numbers 11 to 20 are harder than they look. Their names do not follow the pattern of later numbers (“eleven” and “twelve” say nothing about ten and one), so children need extra practice seeing that 14 is ten and four more. Kindergarten children are expected to count up to 20 objects and write numbers to 20.
Count and write to 20: pictures in rows of five.
Double ten frames: one full frame is ten, so 16 is a full frame and six more.
Circle the number for teen numbers.
Counting on and back: fill in number sequences forwards and backwards.
Counting to 20 worksheets: what is in the set
There are 5 counting to 20 worksheets on this page, and every one has an answer key except for any cut-out games. The first three sets help children to count and show the teen numbers, and the last two ask them to fill in the missing numbers forwards and backwards.
Worksheet
What children do
Standard
Count and Write 11 to 20
Count up to 20 pictures in rows of five.
K.CC.B.5
Count and Circle 10 to 20
Count the pictures and circle the right number.
K.CC.B.5
Double Ten Frame Counting
Count to 20 using two ten frames.
K.CC.B.5
Counting On to 20
Fill in the missing numbers counting forwards.
K.CC.B.5
Counting Back From 20
Fill in the missing numbers counting backwards.
K.CC.B.5
Counting to 20: why the teen numbers are hard
When children are counting to 20, the teen numbers cause more trouble than any other part of the count. In English, the names do not follow the pattern of the numbers that come later. Here are the numbers 11 to 20 with their names and the part of the name that causes the trouble:
Numbers
Names
Why they are hard
11
eleven
from an old word meaning “one left”, so it does not say ten and one
12
twelve
from an old word meaning “two left”, so it does not say ten and two
13 to 19
thirteen to nineteen
the ones are said first (“thir-teen” means three and ten), then “teen”
20
twenty
means “two tens”, which starts the pattern for 30, 40 and 50
Children from some other countries find this easier, because their number names say “ten one, ten two”. In English the ten must be made visible with models, so the worksheets use double ten frames and rows of five.
Numbers 11-20 worksheets: every number as ten and some more
These numbers 11-20 worksheets show each number as one full ten frame and some more. The table lists each number with its word, its ten and ones, and the picture on two ten frames. The kindergarten standards ask children to see the teen numbers as ten ones and some further ones (K.NBT.A.1), and this idea is the start of place value:
Number
Word
Ten and ones
Letters in the word
On two ten frames
11
eleven
10 + 1
6
one full frame and 1
12
twelve
10 + 2
6
one full frame and 2
13
thirteen
10 + 3
8
one full frame and 3
14
fourteen
10 + 4
8
one full frame and 4
15
fifteen
10 + 5
7
one full frame and 5
16
sixteen
10 + 6
7
one full frame and 6
17
seventeen
10 + 7
9
one full frame and 7
18
eighteen
10 + 8
8
one full frame and 8
19
nineteen
10 + 9
8
one full frame and 9
20
twenty
10 + 10
6
one full frame and 10
Kindergarten counting worksheets: the standards for counting to 20
Kindergarten counting worksheets follow the Common Core standards for counting and cardinality. Children count to 100 by ones and tens (K.CC.A.1), write the numbers from 0 to 20 (K.CC.A.3) and count up to 20 objects in a line or array (K.CC.B.5). The Common Core standards for kindergarten counting and cardinality describe all of them, and the worksheets on this page cover the part up to 20. When children are secure with counting to 20, they move on to the hundreds charts, which extend the count to 100 and beyond.
Teen numbers worksheets: counting on from 10
Teen numbers worksheets are easier when the child starts from 10 and counts on. This is faster than counting from 1, and it shows the structure of the numbers. The table shows four examples:
Double ten frames. One full frame is ten.
Number
Ten frame model
Second frame
Counting on from 10
12
two ten frames: 10 + 2
a full frame and a few more
counting on from 10: 11, 12
15
two ten frames: 10 + 5
a full frame and the first row
counting on from 10: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
17
two ten frames: 10 + 7
a full frame and the first row
counting on from 10: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
20
two ten frames: 10 + 10
a full frame and the first row
counting on from 10: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Counting backwards from 20
Counting backwards from 20 is the first step in subtraction. Children who can count back can find one less than any number, and this is a skill they use in kindergarten and grade 1. On a ten frame, taking one counter away shows what one less looks like. The table shows ten numbers on the way down from 20:
Count back from 20
Ten frame picture
What is taken away
20
two full frames
one counter from 20 gives 19
18
one full frame and 8
one counter from 18 gives 17
15
one full frame and 5
one counter from 15 gives 14
12
one full frame and 2
one counter from 12 gives 11
10
one full frame
one counter from 10 gives 9
7
7 counters
one counter from 7 gives 6
5
5 counters
one counter from 5 gives 4
3
3 counters
one counter from 3 gives 2
1
1 counters
one counter from 1 gives 0
0
0 counters
nothing is left
The worksheet for counting back asks children to fill in the missing numbers in a sequence, such as 20, 19, __, 17. A number line can help, and you can print one from the number line tool.
Common mistakes when counting to 20
Teen numbers are often written in the wrong order, because the ones are said before the ten in thirteen to nineteen. This table shows six common reversals:
The number
A common reversal
Why it happens
12
21
the digits are written in the wrong order
13
31
the child writes the digits in the order they hear them in “thirteen”
14
41
the child writes the digits in the order they hear them in “fourteen”
16
61
the child writes the digits in the order they hear them in “sixteen”
17
71
the child writes the digits in the order they hear them in “seventeen”
18
81
the child writes the digits in the order they hear them in “eighteen”
Other mistakes are to skip a number in the count (often 13 or 15), to say “twenty-ten” instead of 30, and to lose track of the objects. Rows of five, a pencil to touch each picture and a ten frame all help.
Counting to 20 word problems
Word problems show where counting to 20 is used in real life. Ask children to say what the question asks, to write a number sentence or a short answer, and to say the answer in a full sentence:
Word problem
Working
Answer
There are 12 eggs in a box. How many eggs?
count 1 to 12, or 10 and 2 more
12 eggs
Leo has 15 marbles. How many marbles does he have?
count 1 to 15, or 10 and 5 more
15 marbles
A shelf holds 17 books. How many books?
count 1 to 17, or 10 and 7 more
17 books
There are 14 children in a line. How many children?
count 1 to 14, or 10 and 4 more
14 children
Ana picks 19 apples. How many apples?
count 1 to 19, or 10 and 9 more
19 apples
A bag holds 20 candies. How many candies?
count 1 to 20, or two tens
20 candies
Games and activities for counting to 20
Children learn counting to 20 best when they play with it. These games use things that are found at home or in a classroom:
Teen names. Eleven to nineteen.
Teen number hunt: find the numbers 11 to 20 on clocks, calendars and street signs
Double frame race: fill two ten frames with counters, and say the number as fast as you can
Count the steps: count to 20 as you climb the stairs, and count back as you come down
Teen number bingo: make a 3 by 3 card with teen numbers and call out numbers in words
Beads on a string: thread 20 beads, 10 of one color and 10 of another, and count them
Blast off: count backwards from 20 to 0 like a rocket countdown
Extra support and extra challenge with counting to 20
For children who need more support: use two ten frames, and do not move on until the child can show 10 and a few more. Practice the teen numbers three at a time: 11, 12 and 13 first. Say the number and the ten and ones together, such as “fourteen is ten and four”.
For children who need more challenge: ask the child to count on from any number, such as from 8 to 17, to count in the other direction and to find the number that is one more or one less than any teen number. The counting on and counting back worksheets can be used for this.
How to tell that a child is ready to move on from counting to 20
The child counts 20 objects without losing their place.
The child shows a teen number on two ten frames, as a full frame and some more.
The child writes the numbers 11 to 20 in the right order.
The child counts on from any number to 20, and counts back from 20.
This page is also searched as counting worksheets for kindergarten, kindergarten counting worksheets, counting worksheets kindergarten, counting worksheet for kindergarten, counting worksheet kindergarten, kindergarten counting, counting kindergarten, counting pages for kindergarten, counting printables for kindergarten and counting sheets for kindergarten. They are all the free PDFs above, each with an answer key. Free counting worksheets for kindergarten and counting practice kindergarten pages work best in short sessions of ten minutes.
Counting activities for kindergarten and counting money worksheets for kindergarten
Counting activities for kindergarten should be hands-on: count steps, stairs and snacks before you count on paper. Once children can count to 20, counting money worksheets kindergarten start with pennies; see our counting coins worksheets page for sheets that count pennies and then nickels and dimes.
Frequently asked questions
6 quick answers
Why are teen numbers hard?
In English, eleven to nineteen do not say “ten and one” or “ten and nine”, and in words like fourteen the ones are said first. Ten frames make the ten visible.
Should children count backwards?
Yes. Counting back from 20 builds number sense and is the first strategy most children use for subtraction.
At what age do children learn counting to 20?
Most children can count to 20 by the age of 5 or 6, in kindergarten. The standard is to count to 100 by the end of the year, and to count up to 20 objects.
Why do children say “twenty-ten”?
Children who know that 20 follows 19 and that 30 follows 29 sometimes see a pattern and apply it to 29. The mistake shows that they are learning the rules of the number names, and they need to hear and see the next ten.
Should children count by ones or by tens to 20?
Both. Counting by ones shows how every number fits, and counting by tens (10, 20) shows the structure. After counting to 20, children begin to count by tens to 100.
Where can I download free counting worksheets for kindergarten?
Open any worksheet in the gallery above, choose US Letter or A4, then print or save the PDF. They are free and each has an answer key.
