Find the Missing Numbers Worksheet

Kids can stall when a number is missing from the middle, even when they can count out loud with ease. This printable gives four short number rows with two blanks in each row, plus one addition or subtraction sentence in each row with a missing part. Sit together, point to the numbers that are already printed, and have your child fill in the empty boxes.

It fits a first grader who can count forward and is starting to connect counting with written numerals. The number rows use small stretches from 4 to 18, so the work stays focused on order, before-and-after thinking, and missing parts. If a blank feels tricky, count the whole row out loud slowly before writing.

The practice works in two connected ways. In the rows, your child uses counting order to decide which numerals are missing. In the math sentences, the blank may be the answer, the first number, an addend, or the number being subtracted, so counters, fingers, or a quick drawing can help check the thinking.

Stay nearby for the first row and ask which number comes before the blank and which one comes next. If your child needs a lighter warm-up first, try the next whole number worksheet to practice one step at a time. When this page is finished, the find the missing numbers worksheet gives a similar follow-up for more blank-number practice.