Chinese Numbers for Kids — and Everything Numbers Unlock

Chinese numbers are one of the first things children learn. They quickly become useful for much more than counting.

Once children know 1–10, they can start talking about birthdays, dates, weekdays, months and time. This 12-page printable booklet brings these topics together in one simple reference, with pinyin for every word.

一 → 一月 → 星期一 → 一点钟

One number, four everyday topics. That’s the idea behind this booklet.

Want to understand how Chinese numbers work first? Read our Chinese Numbers guide.

What’s Inside

• Number gestures – Photos showing how to sign 1–10 with one hand, as Chinese speakers commonly do.
• Numbers 1–10 – Count pictures of apples, strawberries, cats and fish, with each number’s character and pinyin.
• Counting by tens – 十, 二十, 三十… up to 一百, with pictures to count along.
• Ordinal numbers – 第一 to 第二十, plus examples such as 第五十二 and 第一百, so children see how bigger numbers are built.
• Months – 一月 to 十二月.
• Weekdays – 星期一 to 星期六, plus both ways to say Sunday: 星期日 and 星期天.
• Dates – The 年 + 月 + 日/号 pattern, with 11 example dates written in numerals and in characters.
• Time – O’clock, half past (点半), quarter past and quarter to (过一刻, 差一刻), and minutes (点…分). Includes 两点钟, a time many beginners say wrong.
• My Numbers – A personal page where children write their lucky number, birthday and phone number in simple Chinese sentences, such as 我的生日是……

How to Use It

You don’t need to teach everything at once.

Start with 1–10. Count objects, play simple number games, or ask children to show a number with their fingers.

Then keep the booklet handy as you introduce new topics.

• Teaching birthdays? Open the months and dates pages.
• Talking about the school week? Look at the weekdays page.
• Teaching daily routines? Use the time pages.

Children see the same numbers again and again in different situations. Over time, they begin to see how the pieces fit together.

One section at a time is enough.

Who It’s For

This booklet is especially useful for:

• Chinese teachers working with beginner classes
• Parents and homeschoolers teaching Mandarin at home
• Heritage families supporting their children’s Chinese
• Children learning Chinese as an additional language
• Beginner learners, especially ages 5–10

Product details

• Format: Printable PDF, digital download
• Pages: 12
• Script: Simplified Chinese
• Pinyin: Included, with tone marks
• Paper size: US Letter (prints on A4 with “fit to page”)
• Print: Full colour
• Licence: For personal use and use in one classroom. [Contact us for a school licence.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this booklet for?
It is especially suitable for beginner learners ages 5–10. Younger children can start with the number gestures and 1–10 pages, while older beginners can use the booklet as a quick reference.

Does it include pinyin?
Yes. Every number, month, weekday, date and time has pinyin with tone marks next to the Chinese characters.

Is it simplified or traditional Chinese?
Simplified Chinese.

Does it list every number from 1 to 100?
No. It teaches the pattern instead: 1–10, counting by tens up to 100, and ordinal examples such as 第五十二 and 第八十九 that show how any number up to 100 is built.

Can I use it in my classroom?
Yes. One purchase covers one teacher’s classroom. Please do not share the digital file with other teachers.

Is this a physical book?
No. This is a digital PDF that you can download and print at home or at school.

Pair It With Chinese Measure Words

Once children start making simple Chinese phrases, numbers and measure words naturally come together:

一个苹果
两只猫

Our Chinese Measure Words Flashcards help children practice these useful combinations with pictures and real-world vocabulary.