Help children learn first, second, third, and other ordinal numbers with fun printable activities. This collection includes ordinal number worksheet sets covering number words, matching, position, tracing, writing, and crossword activities for Grade 1 learners.
Children can practice ordinal numbers from 1st to 20th through visual and hands-on activities. These worksheets are suitable for classroom lessons, home learning, math revision, and independent practice.
Contents
- What Are Ordinal Numbers?
- Cardinal Numbers vs. Ordinal Numbers
- Ordinal Numbers from 1st to 20th
- Ordinal Numbers 1 to 20 in Words Worksheets
- Match Ordinal Numbers 1–20 with Words
- Find the Correct Ordinal Number
- Write Ordinal Positions from 1st to 10th
- Ordinal Position Worksheets
- Ordinal Numbers Tracing Worksheets
- Ordinal Numbers Crossword Puzzle Worksheets
- How to Teach Ordinal Numbers to Kids
- Fun Ordinal Number Activities for Kids
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Download Free Ordinal Numbers Worksheets
What Are Ordinal Numbers?
Ordinal numbers tell us the position or order of a person, object, or event in a sequence.
For example:
- Riya finished first in the race.
- The red car is second in the line.
- The yellow flower is third in the row.
- We are reading the fourth chapter of the book.
Numbers such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th are ordinal numbers because they tell us where something appears in an order or sequence.
Cardinal Numbers vs. Ordinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers tell us how many.
Ordinal numbers tell us the position or order.
| Cardinal Number | Ordinal Number |
|---|---|
| One | First – 1st |
| Two | Second – 2nd |
| Three | Third – 3rd |
| Four | Fourth – 4th |
| Five | Fifth – 5th |
| Six | Sixth – 6th |
| Seven | Seventh – 7th |
| Eight | Eighth – 8th |
| Nine | Ninth – 9th |
| Ten | Tenth – 10th |
For example, five children tells us how many children there are. The fifth child tells us the position of one child in the line.
Ordinal Numbers from 1st to 20th
Use this ordinal numbers chart to help children learn the number form and word form of each ordinal number.
| Number | Ordinal Number | Word Form |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st | First |
| 2 | 2nd | Second |
| 3 | 3rd | Third |
| 4 | 4th | Fourth |
| 5 | 5th | Fifth |
| 6 | 6th | Sixth |
| 7 | 7th | Seventh |
| 8 | 8th | Eighth |
| 9 | 9th | Ninth |
| 10 | 10th | Tenth |
| 11 | 11th | Eleventh |
| 12 | 12th | Twelfth |
| 13 | 13th | Thirteenth |
| 14 | 14th | Fourteenth |
| 15 | 15th | Fifteenth |
| 16 | 16th | Sixteenth |
| 17 | 17th | Seventeenth |
| 18 | 18th | Eighteenth |
| 19 | 19th | Nineteenth |
| 20 | 20th | Twentieth |
Now, you can browse Our Ordinal Numbers Worksheets.
Ordinal Numbers 1 to 20 in Words Worksheets
Children look at an ordinal number and identify its correct word form. The worksheets cover ordinal numbers from 1st to 20th, helping learners connect forms such as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with first, second, and third.
The activity is useful for children who recognize number symbols but need more practice reading and identifying ordinal number words.
Match Ordinal Numbers 1–20 with Words
In this matching activity, children connect ordinal numbers with their correct word forms.
For example, students match 1st with first, 2nd with second, and 3rd with third. The activity continues with ordinal numbers up to 20th.
Matching the number and word forms helps children recognize different ways ordinal numbers are written.
Find the Correct Ordinal Number
Children observe the position of pictures or objects and identify the correct ordinal number.
They may need to find an object in the first, third, fifth, or another given position. The visual activity helps learners understand that ordinal numbers describe where an object appears in a sequence.
Write Ordinal Positions from 1st to 10th
These worksheets use animals arranged in a sequence to help children practice ordinal positions.
Students look at each animal and write its position using ordinal numbers from 1st to 10th. For example, a child may identify an animal as first, fourth, or eighth in the row.
The activity combines visual observation with ordinal number writing practice.
Worksheet: Write Ordinal Position (1–10) Worksheets for Grade 1
Ordinal Position Worksheets
Which animal is first? Which one is fourth? Can you find the seventh animal?
Children follow the instructions and identify animals based on their position in a sequence. They may be asked to find or color the animal in a particular ordinal position.
These visual worksheets help children understand how ordinal numbers are used to describe order.
Worksheet: Ordinal Position Worksheets for Grade 1
Ordinal Numbers Tracing Worksheets
Young learners can trace ordinal numbers to become familiar with their written forms.
Tracing forms such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gives children guided writing practice while reinforcing ordinal number recognition.
These worksheets can be used before children begin writing ordinal numbers independently.
Worksheet: Ordinal Numbers Tracing Worksheet for Grade 1
Ordinal Numbers Crossword Puzzle Worksheets
Children use ordinal number words to complete fun crossword puzzles.
The puzzles include words such as first, second, third, seventh, tenth, twelfth, seventeenth, and twentieth. Students read the clues and write the correct ordinal number words in the crossword.
This activity combines ordinal number practice with spelling, reading, and problem-solving.
Worksheet: Ordinal Numbers Crossword Puzzle Worksheets for Grade 1
How to Teach Ordinal Numbers to Kids
Start with real objects that children can arrange in a line. Toys, pencils, books, toy cars, or classroom objects work well.
Place several objects in a row and ask questions such as:
- Which toy is first?
- What is the position of the blue car?
- Which pencil is third?
- Can you point to the fifth book?
Once children understand position using real objects, introduce the written forms 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and connect them with the words first, second, and third.
Children can then use printable ordinal number worksheets to practice identifying, matching, and writing ordinal positions.
Fun Ordinal Number Activities for Kids
Ordinal numbers can be practiced through simple everyday games and activities.
Arrange ten toys in a line and ask the child to identify different positions. Hold a pretend toy race and decide which toy finished first, second, and third.
You can also use a calendar to find the first, fifth, tenth, or twentieth day of a month.
Story sequencing is another useful activity. Ask children what happened first, second, and third in a familiar story.
These activities help children connect ordinal numbers with real positions and sequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cardinal and ordinal numbers?
Cardinal numbers tell us how many, while ordinal numbers tell us position. For example, “three books” uses a cardinal number, while “the third book” uses an ordinal number.
What grade learns ordinal numbers?
Ordinal numbers are introduced during early elementary math. These printable worksheets are primarily designed for Grade 1 learners and can also be used for additional practice with kindergarten or Grade 2 students.
How do you teach ordinal numbers to children?
Use real objects and arrange them in a sequence. Ask children to identify the first, second, third, and other positions. After children understand the idea of position, introduce ordinal number forms such as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Download Free Ordinal Numbers Worksheets
Explore the ordinal number worksheets above and choose an activity based on the skill your child needs to practice.
Children can start with identifying ordinal positions and learning number words before moving to matching, writing, tracing, and crossword activities.
Use these free printable ordinal numbers worksheets for Grade 1 math lessons, classroom activities, home learning, revision, and extra number practice.
