Find the Missing Numbers Worksheet

Kids can count along just fine and still stall when one number is hidden. This printable asks a first grader to find missing numbers in short counting sequences, then fill one missing part in a simple addition or subtraction equation. The numbers stay in an early range from 0 through 20, so the work is about looking closely, counting in order, and checking what is already shown.

This is a good fit when a 6-year-old can recognize most numbers to 20 and is starting to see how numbers come before and after one another. If the sequence part feels like a big jump, read the given numbers together and point to each space from left to right. For a smaller warm-up, next whole number practice helps children focus on just one step forward before they try several blanks on the same row.

The practice works in two clear moves. On the sequence side, the child uses neighboring numbers to decide what belongs in each blank. On the equation side, the child reads the addition or subtraction sentence and figures out the one part that is missing. Saying the numbers softly while writing can help keep the order steady, especially on rows where more than one space is blank.

Sit nearby with a pencil and let your child try the first row before stepping in. If they guess, ask, “What number comes right before this one?” or “What number would make this fact true?” Keep it short if focus starts to fade. As a next step, count and draw circles practice gives a concrete way to match a number to a drawn amount, which can support children who still like to see the quantity while they count.