Fun Add & Subtract Worksheet for Preschoolers!
This worksheet introduces children ages 4-6 to the basics of addition and subtraction by having them count pictured objects, record the quantities, and then combine or take away groups to find a total. Working with visual objects rather than abstract numbers alone helps children build a concrete understanding of what addition and subtraction actually mean before they're expected to solve equations using numbers only.
Part of the pack
Month 9: Multi-Subject Early Learning | Ages 6-7Curriculum
How to use this worksheet
Start each problem by counting the first group of objects aloud together and writing that number in its box, then do the same for the second group. For addition problems, ask your child to count all the objects from both groups combined and write the total in the answer box. For subtraction problems, have your child count the starting group, then count how many are being taken away, and figure out how many are left. Once every problem is solved, go back and add up the totals from all the problems together as a final check.
Materials needed
- Pencil
- Crayons
Extension activities
- •Use real snacks, like crackers or grapes, to physically act out an addition or subtraction problem before eating them.
- •Roll two dice and have your child add the numbers shown, then roll again and practice subtracting the smaller from the larger.
- •Draw your own simple addition or subtraction picture problem and ask your child to solve it using counters or fingers.
- •Play a 'take away' game with toy cars or blocks, starting with a group and removing some while your child counts what remains.
- •Create a number line on the floor with chalk or tape and have your child hop forward for addition and backward for subtraction.
Tips for parents and teachers
Let your child count on their fingers or use small objects as counters rather than rushing them toward mental math, since concrete counting builds the number sense abstract addition later depends on. A common difficulty at this age is losing track while counting a combined group, so encourage them to touch each object as they count it. Celebrate the counting process as much as the final answer, since accurate one-to-one counting is the real milestone being built here.
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
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