Odd and Even Numbers

A notebook with colorful even numbers on the left and colorful odd numbers on the right.

Odd and Even Numbers: Teaching Tips, Activities, and Printables

Here’s how to explain odd and even numbers to your child, plus some fun activities and games for practice.

By Jill Staake

Reviewed by Owen Bissell

What Are Even Numbers?

What Are Odd Numbers?

Is the Number Zero Even or Odd?

Deciding if Large Numbers are Even or Odd

Odd and Even Numbers on Number Line and Charts

Printable Even and Odd Numbers and Charts

Odd and Even Numbers Activities

What Are Even Numbers?

Odds and evens are a simple concept, but one that kids have to learn as part of developing number sense.

Even numbers are those that can be divided equally by two, with no remainder. If that explanation feels too complex for your child, you can simply say this: “A number is even when you can break it into two groups that each contain the same number of items.”

Example: If we have 8 apples, we can put them into two equal groups of 4 apples each. That means it’s an even number.

ABC mouse with a group of 8 apples on one side and 2 groups of 4 apples on the other side.

What Are Odd Numbers?

An odd number is one that can’t be divided evenly in half; it will always have a remainder. Any number that isn’t even is odd.

Example: If you have 9 chairs and try to divide them into two equal groups, you’ll end up with one left over (two groups of 4, with 1 left over). That makes 9 an odd number.

Tip:

When explaining the concept of “remainders” to your child, try saying something like this: “A “remainder” in math is like the leftover pieces you have after sharing something equally with your friends; it’s the extra bit that you can’t divide up evenly, so it just “remains” after you’ve given everyone their fair share.”

Is the Number Zero Even or Odd?

Zero is considered an even number, because when you divide it by two, the answer is zero with no remainder. You can simply explain that any number ending in a zero is an even number.

How to Decide if a Larger Number is Even or Odd

When you’re determining whether a larger number is even or odd, the only digit you need to look at is the final one (in the ones place). Even with very long numbers, the last digit will always determine whether that number is even or odd.

Even numbers end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.

Odd numbers end in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

Example: The number 36 is even, because the final digit is an even number, while 83 is an odd number, because it ends in an odd number. 5,971,392 is an even number, because the final number (2) is even.

Odd and Even Numbers on a Number Line

Whole numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) alternate even and odd on a number line. After every even number, there’s an odd number—and after every odd number is an even number. If you start on an even number and skip count by two, you’ll only land on even numbers, and vice versa.

Printable List and Chart of Odd Numbers

Odd Numbers Between 0 and 100

The odd numbers between 0 and 100 are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, and 99.

Printable List and Chart of Even Numbers

Even Numbers From 0 to 100

The even numbers from 0 to 100 are 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, and 100.

Printable Chart of Odd and Even Numbers

When discussing even and odd numbers with children, it can be helpful to look at them together in a hundreds chart, with the odd and even numbers highlighted in different colors.

A chart of black odd numbers and red even numbers from one to one hundred.

Tip:

When looking at the chart, ask your child if they see any patterns in the numbers or notice any similarities.

Get a Free Printable Version of These Charts

Odd and Even Numbers Activities

These fun games, worksheets, and activities give your child opportunities to practice mastering this basic but key math concept. Find even more engaging number and counting activities here.

Hands On Practice

One of the easiest ways to help children learn about even and odd numbers is to practice dividing a set of items into two groups. If they’re able to create two even groups with no leftovers, the number is even. If not, it’s odd. Try it with small snacks like grapes or goldfish crackers, or with stuffed animals, shoes, acorns, or any other item you like.

Color by Number Worksheets

These free printables are a great way for young children to practice deciding which numbers are odd and which are even. Have your child color all the even numbers first, then the odd ones.

Number Sort

Use number cards or magnets for this counting activity. Set up two bins, one for even numbers and one for odds. Then, have your child sort each card or magnet into the proper bin. Make it even more fun by trying to toss the card/magnet into the right bin from a few feet away!

Connect the Dots Worksheets

Free printable connect the dot worksheets from ABCmouse.com.

Use these free printable worksheets to practice counting as well as determining evens and odds. As your child connects the dots, have them say out loud whether each number is odd or even.

Hundreds Chart Coloring

Print our free hundreds chart worksheet, then have your child color all the even numbers in one color and all the odds in a different color.

Tip:

Use highlighters so they can clearly see the numbers underneath the color.

Odds and Evens Online Games by ABCmouse

Online educational games offer instant feedback and make learning both fun and engaging for kids. Give these ABCmouse math games a try!

Draco's dash even number dinosaur game on ABCmouse.com.

Draco’s Dash Even Numbers

Join a friendly dinosaur on a journey through a prehistoric landscape, picking out the even numbers along the way.

Odd and Even number sort game on ABCmouse.com.

Odd and Even Number Sorter

As numbers slide down a conveyor belt, click the bin to indicate whether they’re odd or even.

Fun even and odd number sort game on ABCmouse.com.

Evens and Odds With Ivan:

Help Ivan build an automatic dog-washing machine by sorting parts to determine if the numbers are odd or even.

Fun Crazy Race odd and even number learning game on ABCmouse.com.

Crazy Race: Odd and Even Numbers

Choose your player and car, then win the race by correctly clicking on even or odd numbers as requested.

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Odd and Even Numbers: Teaching Tips, Activities, and Printables

Here’s how to explain odd and even numbers to your child, plus some fun activities and games for practice.

Table of Contents

What Are Even Numbers?

What Are Odd Numbers?

Is the Number Zero Even or Odd?

How to Decide if a Larger Number is Even or Odd

Odd and Even Numbers on a Number Line