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.
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.
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.”
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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.
Tip:
When looking at the chart, ask your child if they see any patterns in the numbers or notice any similarities.
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
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!
Our online games are designed by experts to make screen time educational and enjoyable. Please note that some of these games may require an ABCmouse subscription to play.
Join a friendly dinosaur on a journey through a prehistoric landscape, picking out the even numbers along the way.
As numbers slide down a conveyor belt, click the bin to indicate whether they’re odd or even.
Help Ivan build an automatic dog-washing machine by sorting parts to determine if the numbers are odd or even.
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.
ABCmouse’s expert advice review process:
Our team of ABCmouse Curriculum Experts, made up of talented professionals in early childhood education and development, take a close look at educational content and learning claims. They put in the effort to make sure our information is accurate and current. We have a certified educator or another respected authority review the content, matching their expertise with the topic at hand. They’ll make sure the content is thorough and follows the latest research and educational guidelines. If they think we can make things even better, they’ll chat with our editorial team, and we’ll make those improvements right away. Only after a reviewer gives their thumbs-up does a piece of content get the official stamp of approval in the byline.
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