Alligator Comparison Worksheet: Greater Than, Less Than, and Equal To!
This worksheet teaches children ages 4-6 to compare two numbers using the 'hungry alligator' mnemonic, where the alligator's mouth always opens toward the larger number. Understanding greater than, less than, and equal to is an essential building block for later place value, ordering, and basic algebra concepts.
Part of the pack
Month 2: Learning & Development | Ages 5-6Curriculum
How to use this worksheet
Look at the two numbers on either side of the circle with your child and ask them to figure out which one is bigger, using fingers or counters if helpful. Remind them that the alligator is always hungry and wants to 'eat' the bigger number, so its open mouth points toward the larger value. Have your child draw the greater-than, less-than, or equal-to symbol in the circle to show their answer. Work through several rows, having your child say the full comparison sentence aloud each time, like '7 is greater than 4.'
Materials needed
- Pencil
- Eraser
Extension activities
- •Use two piles of small toys or snacks and have your child physically show which pile the alligator would 'eat' first.
- •Draw your own alligator symbol on paper and use it to compare pairs of numbers you call out.
- •Roll two dice and compare the results using greater than, less than, or equal to.
- •Line up family members by height and use the same comparison language to describe who is taller or shorter.
Tips for parents and teachers
Some children reverse the symbol direction, so let them draw the alligator's eyes on the pointed end of the symbol as a memory trick if they're struggling. Saying the comparison sentence out loud every time reinforces the vocabulary alongside the symbol, which matters more at this age than symbol accuracy alone. If a child finds two-digit comparisons hard, start with single digits and count up from one number to see which is 'further along.'
Written by
Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena
MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai
Every RaisoActive worksheet is designed and checked by the founder before publishing.
Published · Last reviewed
Related worksheets
Comparing Numbers Worksheet: Greater Than, Less Than, and Equal To!
Children ages 4-6 learn to compare two numbers and choose the correct symbol — greater than, less than, or equal to — building an essential foundation for later work with inequalities and algebra. Comparing quantities and representing the relationship symbolically is a more abstract skill than simple counting, so this worksheet stretches children just past straightforward number recognition into true numerical reasoning.
Many vs. Few: Object Counting Worksheet for Preschoolers
This worksheet builds early quantity comparison skills as children ages 3-5 look at groups of objects and decide whether each group shows 'many' or 'few.' Beyond simple counting, this task develops relative reasoning — understanding that quantity is judged by comparison, not just a fixed number — which lays groundwork for later concepts like greater than and less than. Circling the correct group also reinforces visual scanning and attention to detail.
More or Less Worksheet: Comparing Quantities for Preschoolers
This worksheet helps children ages 3-5 understand the concepts of 'more' and 'less' by counting and comparing different groups of pictured objects, like eggs in a nest or fruits in a basket. Comparing quantities visually and numerically builds early number sense that supports later addition, subtraction, and greater-than or less-than reasoning.
Comparing Numbers: Apples, Soccer Balls, and More! - Math Worksheet
This worksheet teaches children to compare two quantities using the symbols greater than (>), less than (<), and equal to (=) by counting groups of everyday objects like apples and soccer balls. For four- and five-year-olds, learning to read and use comparison symbols is an early step toward understanding mathematical relationships beyond simple counting.
Comparing Objects: A Fun Counting Worksheet for Preschoolers!
This worksheet has 4-5 year olds count two groups of objects and then compare the totals using the greater-than, less-than, and equal-to symbols — an early but genuine step into formal math notation that goes beyond simple counting into representing a comparison symbolically. Because your child has to count accurately before comparing, this worksheet also reinforces that math symbols stand for real relationships between quantities, not arbitrary marks to memorize.
Count and Compare: Fun Math Worksheet for Preschoolers
Counting two groups of objects and then choosing the correct greater-than, less-than, or equal-to symbol introduces children ages 3-5 to comparative reasoning, a step beyond simple counting that asks them to judge relationships between quantities. This worksheet turns an abstract math symbol into something concrete by grounding it in objects they've just counted themselves, rather than presenting the symbol in isolation. Learning to compare quantities this early builds the number sense needed for later addition, subtraction, and general mathematical reasoning.
Cut and Glue: Comparing Quantities Worksheet for Preschoolers
Comparing quantities using the greater than, less than, and equal to symbols is an early step toward formal mathematical notation for children ages 3-5, building on the counting skills they already have. This cut-and-paste worksheet asks children to count two sets of objects, decide which set is larger, smaller, or the same, and then physically select and glue the correct comparison symbol between them. Handling the symbol pieces themselves, rather than writing the symbols freehand, lets younger children engage with this abstract math concept before their fine motor skills are ready for symbol writing.
Tall and Short Worksheet: Comparing Sizes for Preschoolers
Comparing height is one of the earliest measurement concepts children encounter, and this worksheet asks children ages 3-5 to visually judge which of two objects is taller or shorter without using any numbers or rulers. This kind of direct visual comparison builds the intuitive sense of relative size that formal measurement skills will later be built on top of. Practicing the comparison in both directions — identifying the taller object in one set and the shorter object in another — also reinforces that 'tall' and 'short' are relative terms, not fixed labels.
Guides for this topic
Number Formation Rhymes 0–9 and How to Fix Reversals
Original number formation rhymes for 0–9, the correct stroke order for each digit, why 3, 5 and 7 get reversed most often, and multisensory fixes that work.
Age-Appropriate Problem-Solving Activities: Building Critical Thinkers from the Ground Up
Discover fun, age-appropriate problem-solving activities for children ages 1-8. Build critical thinking, logic, and reasoning skills through play-based learning.
Critical Thinking Activities That Actually Work for Young Children: Building Tomorrow's Thinkers Today
Discover proven critical thinking activities for young children. Age-wise logic games, questioning techniques, and hands-on ideas to build thinking skills at home.
Reviews
Every worksheet for ages 4–6, no watermark
Members download the full library of 1,000+ worksheets and every activity pack without watermarks or daily limits. One year costs ₹1,000 in India or $20 elsewhere.
See membership plansOr download any worksheet free with a watermark (5 a day).