Number 1 (One) for Kids: Counting, Writing and Fun Facts
1 is written in words as one. It means a group of 1 thing, like one nose on your face. In counting, 1 comes after 0 (zero) and before 2 (two). 1 is an odd number.
The number 1, written as "One"
Number 1 at a Glance
| Number word | one |
|---|---|
| Comes after | 0 (zero) |
| Comes before | 2 (two) |
| Odd or even | Odd |
| More needed to make 10 | 9 |
What 1 Looks Like
A ten frame has 10 boxes. Here, 1 of them is filled, so you can see that 1 needs 9 more to make 10.
Counting to 1
Count out loud and touch one object for each number you say: 1. The last number you say, 1, tells you how many there are altogether.
How to Write the Number 1
- Start at the top.
- Draw one straight line down to the bottom.
- Some people add a small slanted flag at the top and a line across the bottom.
The word is spelled O-N-E. Practice tracing 1 in the tracing game or on the Number Writing Practice worksheet.
Ways to Make 1
Two smaller numbers can be put together to make 1. These are called number bonds:
- 1 + 0 = 1
Try it with real objects: put 1 blocks in a row and split them into two groups in different ways.
One in Real Life
- One nose on your face
- One sun in our sky
- One moon around Earth
Fun Facts About 1
- One is the first counting number.
- When you multiply any number by 1, it stays the same: 7 x 1 = 7.
- One is an odd number.
- The number 1 can look like a lowercase l or capital I, so write it carefully.
Quick Quiz: Number 1
Answer each question, then tap it to check.
What number comes right after 1?
2 (two).
Is 1 odd or even?
Odd. If you split 1 into pairs, one is left over.
If you have 1, how many more do you need to make 10?
9, because 1 + 9 = 10.
🏫 Classroom Activity
Give each child one object — one block, one crayon, one sticker — and go around the circle naming what everyone is holding: "I have one block!" It reinforces that "one" always means a single item, no matter what it is.
🏠 Homeschool Activity
Point out single things around the house together — one front door, one refrigerator, one you! Naming "one" objects throughout the day builds the concept naturally, without needing a dedicated activity every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you spell the number 1?
1 is spelled one.
Is 1 an odd or even number?
1 is odd. If you split 1 into pairs, one is left over.
What comes before and after 1?
0 comes before 1, and 2 comes after it.
How do you write the number 1?
Start at the top. Draw one straight line down to the bottom. Some people add a small slanted flag at the top and a line across the bottom.
Summary
1 is spelled one and is an odd number. It comes after 0 and before 2. Next, learn the number 2.