Prime Numbers for Kids (2026): Fun Guide | Montreal Tutoring Services

What is a Prime Number? A Fun Guide for Kids!

Hi there! Are you a student in Grade 3 or Grade 4 in Montreal? Learning about prime numbers is really fun! Whether you go to school in Westmount, NDG, Laval, or anywhere in Montreal, this guide will help you understand prime numbers using simple examples.

A prime number is a special number that can only be divided into equal groups in 2 ways:

Way #1: Put ALL the objects in ONE big group
Way #2: Put ONE object in each group

Let’s look at an example! Imagine you have 7 buttons. Can you make equal groups?

🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘

Try making 2 equal groups… Nope! You’d have 1 button left over.
Try making 3 equal groups… Nope! You’d have buttons left over.
Try making 4, 5, or 6 equal groups… Still doesn’t work!

The ONLY ways that work are:

• 1 group of 7 buttons (all together)
• 7 groups of 1 button each (one in each group)

That means 7 is a prime number! ✨

Why Isn’t 1 a Prime Number?

Here’s something tricky: The number 1 is NOT a prime number. Why? Because with just 1 object, you can only make 1 group of 1. That’s only ONE way, not two ways! Remember, prime numbers need TWO different ways to make equal groups.

Also, 0 is not a prime number because you can’t make groups with zero objects!

What Are the Prime Numbers From 1 to 30?

Here are all the prime numbers between 1 and 30. Can you spot a pattern?

2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29

Wow! That’s 10 prime numbers! Notice something cool? After the number 2, all prime numbers are odd numbers. Can you guess why?

It’s because if a number is even (like 4, 6, 8, 10…), you can always make 2 equal groups! So even numbers (except 2) can’t be prime.

Let’s See More Prime Numbers!

Here are prime numbers from 30 to 50:

31, 37, 41, 43, 47

Can you find prime numbers on your own? Try checking the numbers from 50 to 60!

How to Check if a Number is Prime: The Fun Way!

Want to know if a number is prime? Let’s use objects and drawings to find out! This is the best way for kids to learn.

The Equal Groups Method (Perfect for Kids!)

Here’s the easiest way to check if a number is prime:

Example: Let’s check if 11 is prime!

Draw 11 stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Can we make 2 equal groups? Nope! (We’d have 1 star left over)
Can we make 3 equal groups? Nope! (Stars left over)
Can we make 4 equal groups? Nope!
Can we make 5 equal groups? Nope!

The ONLY ways that work:

• 1 group of 11 stars ← Way #1
• 11 groups of 1 star each ← Way #2

That’s only 2 ways! So 11 is PRIME! 🎉

Need help with prime numbers? Montreal’s best math tutors can help!
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Let’s Try a NON-Prime Number!

Example: Is 12 prime?

Draw 12 circles: ⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕

Can we make 2 equal groups? YES! → ⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕ | ⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
Can we make 3 equal groups? YES! → ⭕⭕⭕⭕ | ⭕⭕⭕⭕ | ⭕⭕⭕⭕
Can we make 4 equal groups? YES! → ⭕⭕⭕ | ⭕⭕⭕ | ⭕⭕⭕ | ⭕⭕⭕

Wow! We found MORE than 2 ways! That means 12 is NOT prime. We call it a composite number.

What Are More Examples of Prime Numbers?

Let’s practice finding prime numbers using fun examples with objects you can see and touch!

Example 1: Is 5 Prime?

Draw 5 stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Try making equal groups:

• 2 groups? Nope! (1 star left over)
• 3 groups? Nope! (Stars left over)
• 4 groups? Nope!

Only 2 ways work: (1 group of 5) or (5 groups of 1)

Answer: 5 is PRIME! ✓

Example 2: Is 6 Prime?

Draw 6 buttons: 🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘🔘

Try making equal groups:

• 2 groups? YES! → 🔘🔘🔘 | 🔘🔘🔘
• 3 groups? YES! → 🔘🔘 | 🔘🔘 | 🔘🔘

We found MORE than 2 ways!

Answer: 6 is NOT prime (it’s composite) ✗

Example 3: Is 13 Prime?

Imagine you have 13 candies: 🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬

Can you share them equally between 2 friends? Nope!
Can you share them equally between 3 friends? Nope!
Can you share them equally between 4, 5, or 6 friends? Nope!

Only 2 ways work: Keep all 13 for yourself, or give 1 to each of 13 friends!

Answer: 13 is PRIME! ✓

Want to get better at math? Our Montreal tutors make it fun and easy!
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10 Fun Practice Problems for Kids!

Now it’s your turn! Try these fun problems to practice what you learned. Click « Show Answer » to check your work!

Easy Problems (Great for Grade 3!)

Problem 1: Is 3 prime or composite?

Problem 2: Is 9 prime or composite?

Problem 3: Circle the prime numbers: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10

Problem 4: What is the smallest prime number?

Problem 5: Is 4 prime or composite?

Medium Problems (Perfect for Grade 4!)

Problem 6: Is 17 prime or composite?

Problem 7: List all prime numbers between 10 and 20.

Problem 8: Is 15 prime or composite?

Problem 9: Is 23 prime or composite?

Problem 10: You have 8 cookies. Can you share them equally with 3 friends?

Need help with these practice problems?
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Questions Parents Ask About Prime Numbers

Elementary Math Tutoring in Montreal

Is your child in Grade 3 or Grade 4 and struggling with prime numbers? Mentora Academy provides fun, engaging math tutoring for elementary students across Greater Montreal, including Westmount, NDG, Laval, South Shore, and West Island.

Our experienced tutors make math fun for young learners! We use games, objects, and visual activities to help kids understand prime numbers and build confidence in math. Whether your child attends public school or private school in Montreal, we understand the Quebec elementary curriculum and can help them succeed.

We serve families across Montreal: Westmount, NDG, Côte-des-Neiges, Outremont, Ville-Marie, Laval, Brossard, Longueuil, and all surrounding areas. Flexible scheduling available to fit your family’s busy schedule!