Let’s Defend – Friends of 20

The robots are coming! In this exciting digital game, students work together to defend a town under attack from giant robots. Each correct answer powers a defence move—whether that’s building stronger town walls, upgrading homes to grow the population, or launching a direct counterattack against the invaders.

To defend the town successfully, students must identify the missing number needed to complete a sum that equals 20. Each question encourages number fact fluency and quick recall of number bonds—perfect for building a solid understanding of basic addition strategies.

Will your students save the town before the robots take over?

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Recall and apply number bonds that total 20
• ✅ Identify missing addends in addition equations
• ✅ Develop fluency and confidence with early number facts
• ✅ Strengthen mental computation and number sense
• ✅ Engage in interactive, fast-paced number play

How to Play:

1. Students are presented with an addition sentence missing one part (e.g. ? + 7 = 20).
2. A correct answer powers up a defence move to block or fight off robot attackers.
3. Players can choose between reinforcing the town, upgrading houses, or launching an attack.
4. Incorrect answers allow robots to advance closer to the town.
5. The game continues through a series of questions. The more correct answers, the stronger the town becomes!

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during early number or addition units for fact fluency practise
• 💡 Add to rotations with hands-on number bond resources like tens frames or linking cubes
• 💡 Great for Year 1–2 students building fluency with Friends of 20
• 💡 Pair with follow-up activities where students write or model number bonds using classroom tools

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Let students personalise their experience by choosing from six characters before the game begins
• 💛 Select the number of players or teams at the start of the game to suit individual, paired, or group play
• 💛 Send the QR code home for students to play as a homework or revision task

Let’s Defend – Friends of 20 transforms number bond practise into an energetic mission to save the town—building fluency and focus through engaging, action-packed play!