A make-ten puzzle game for practicing number bonds
Knowing which pairs make ten is a building block for addition, subtraction and mental math. Puzzles can make that practice feel like play.
Why number bonds to ten matter
When children know pairs like 4 and 6 or 7 and 3 automatically, bigger sums and subtraction get easier because they can regroup numbers in their head.
What to look for in a number puzzle
- Real planning, not random luck.
- A clear preview of what a move will do.
- Consequences for waste, so strategy matters.
- No ads or pressure for young players.
How Number Beasts approaches it
Number Beasts: Bond Lab is a free iPhone app from Honest Little Apps. Everything below comes from its App Store description.
- In Number Beasts: Bond Lab the number is the projectile; hit a beast and make exactly 10 and it pops (Bond).
- Fall short and the beast grows (Feed); overshoot and the leftover keeps flying (Bridge); an unused leftover falls back as a new beast (Spill).
- Nothing is random, and with aim assist on the path and the exact sum appear before you press Launch.
- There are three worlds with different rule sets, such as Candy Circuit and Gravity Grove.
See Number Beasts on the App Store Read the full Number Beasts page
Questions
What are number bonds?
Pairs of numbers that add to a target, most often 10, such as 3 and 7.
Is there a free make-ten puzzle game?
Number Beasts: Bond Lab is listed free on the App Store. Check the listing for optional purchases.
Is it random?
The App Store description says nothing is random.
