Free printable worksheets · India
LKG Subtraction Worksheets (Ages 4–5)
LKG subtraction worksheets are practice sheets for children aged 4–5 in Lower Kindergarten (Junior KG) in India. Subtraction is taking a smaller group away from a larger one, or comparing two groups, to find how many or how much remain. The sheets on this page cover taking away from a group, counting back from a number, finding the difference between two numbers and fact families linked to addition.
Lower Kindergarten turns a scribbling hand into a writing one: capital letters A to Z and numbers up to twenty become the daily target, alongside pattern practice that keeps curves and loops steady. Reversed letters and numerals are still common at this stage and settle with repetition rather than correction. At four to five, subtraction is something a child does with hands before it is anything on paper. A worksheet should show a small group of objects, five or fewer to begin with, mark some as taken away, and ask the child to count what remains and say the number. Expect finger counting, expect the answer to be found by recounting from one, and do not expect the minus sign or a written number sentence to mean anything yet.
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LKG Subtraction Worksheets to print
Browse all worksheets for ages 4–5
Subtraction Worksheet: Count and Subtract for Preschoolers
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
Counting a group of pictured objects and then subtracting a stated number introduces children ages 4-5 to the concept that a quantity can decrease, building on their counting skills to form an early foundation for subtraction. Working from a visual group of objects, rather than abstract numbers alone, lets children physically cross out or count away items, which matches how young children naturally understand 'taking away.' This concrete, visual approach to subtraction sets up a much smoother transition to number-only subtraction problems later.
Spooky Math Worksheet: Halloween Counting Fun!
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
This Halloween math worksheet has children ages 4-5 count grouped pictures and then solve simple addition and subtraction problems, moving from concrete counting toward the more abstract skill of combining or taking away quantities. Writing each answer inside a tombstone shape keeps the seasonal theme playful while practicing genuine early arithmetic.
Truckload Addition Worksheet for Preschoolers
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
Counting bricks loaded on two trucks and adding the totals together teaches children ages 4-5 basic addition through a playful, visual context that makes the abstract idea of combining quantities easier to grasp. This truck theme also keeps counting practice engaging for children who love vehicles, building both number sense and sustained attention.
Skip Counting by 10 Worksheet: Fill in the Blanks!
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
This worksheet builds skip counting fluency by 10s, a foundational skill that helps children recognize number patterns and prepares them for place value concepts and faster counting strategies later on. For ages 4-5, seeing numbers grouped in tens on signs reinforces both sequencing and the visual structure of our base-ten number system.
Subtraction Worksheet: Counting and Subtracting for Preschoolers
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
This worksheet introduces children ages 4-5 to the concept of subtraction as 'taking away' by having them count a group of objects, cross out the number indicated, and write how many remain. Building this concrete, visual understanding of subtraction before introducing abstract number sentences helps children grasp what the minus sign actually means rather than just memorizing a procedure.
Subtraction Fun: Cross Out and Count the Cupcakes!
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
This worksheet introduces subtraction to 4-5 year olds through a very concrete take-away model: your child crosses out one cupcake from a group and counts what remains, which makes the abstract idea of 'subtracting' visible and immediate rather than something happening only inside a number sentence. Because the crossing-out step comes before the counting step, this worksheet keeps the connection between the physical action and the resulting number crystal clear.
Subtraction Fun: Counting Fingers Worksheet for Kids
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
Children ages 4-5 use their own fingers as a built-in counting tool to practice subtraction, connecting an abstract number sentence to something they can physically see and touch. This bridges the gap between counting objects and solving take-away problems with numbers alone.
Subtraction Worksheet: Count and Subtract for Preschoolers
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
This worksheet introduces basic subtraction by having children count a starting group of objects, remove or cross out a specified number, and count what remains to find the answer. For ages 4-5, grounding subtraction in physical counting rather than abstract numbers alone helps children understand that subtraction means 'taking away' a quantity, not just manipulating symbols.
Subtraction Worksheet: Count and Subtract!
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
This worksheet gives children ages 4-5 hands-on practice with subtraction as 'taking away' from a visible group, helping them understand that a number decreases when items are removed rather than treating subtraction as an abstract symbol on paper. Counting the starting group and then physically crossing out or covering objects before writing the difference builds the concrete number sense that later supports mental subtraction.
Summer Addition Worksheet for Preschoolers: Counting and Adding Fun!
Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
Adding two small groups of summer-themed pictures — ice creams, beach balls, sunglasses — gives a 4-5 year old a concrete, countable version of addition before they ever see the plus sign written abstractly. Counting each group separately and then counting the combined total builds the core idea that addition means 'put together and count again', which underlies every later addition strategy.
Navratri Counting Worksheet: Count the Festival Fun
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
Children count small groups of festival pictures and write the number, trace and write the numbers 1 to 9, compare two groups to find the one with more, and colour a set number of diyas.
Golu Doll Fun: Navratri Golu Counting and Sharing Worksheet
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
Children learn that a golu is a display of dolls on steps set up for Navratri. They count the dolls on each step and find the total, then share cups of sundal among friends and count what is left over.
Subtraction Fun: Count and Subtract with Cute Animals!
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
Counting a group of animal pictures and then crossing out or removing a specified number teaches children ages 4-6 the concept of subtraction as taking away from a starting quantity, which is easier to grasp visually than through numbers alone. Writing the remaining total after the take-away step reinforces that subtraction results in a smaller, specific number, connecting the physical act of removing objects to a written numeral. Using cute animal pictures as the countable objects keeps a potentially tricky math concept approachable and fun.
Addition and Subtraction Sums Worksheet for Preschoolers
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
Practicing addition and subtraction problems within 10 together, rather than in separate worksheets, helps children see the two operations as related, that subtraction can undo addition, which builds more flexible number sense than drilling each skill in isolation. For ages four to six, working within small numbers keeps the focus on understanding the operations rather than on managing large quantities.
Subtraction Fun: Candy and Treats Worksheet for Kids!
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
This worksheet gives children ages 4-6 concrete practice with subtraction by counting pictured candies and treats, then taking away a stated amount to find the difference. Using a visually appealing, countable context like candy makes the abstract idea of 'taking away' easier to grasp than numbers alone, helping children build the one-to-one counting and comparison skills that subtraction depends on.
Subtraction Worksheet: Practice Subtracting with Fun Pictures!
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
Children ages 4-6 practice subtraction by looking at a set of pictured objects, crossing out or removing the indicated amount, and writing the resulting total. Seeing subtraction visually, rather than only as abstract numbers, helps children genuinely understand what 'taking away' means before relying on memorized facts. This visual approach builds a strong foundation for mental math strategies used in later grades.
Diwali Sweet Shop Sums: Ten-Frames, Sharing and Number Stories
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
Children count sweets in ten-frames and find how many more make 10. They share sweets equally onto plates and use pictures to add, subtract and complete number sentences in three short stories.
Subtraction Fun: Cut and Paste the Answers!
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
This worksheet grounds subtraction in something concrete for children ages 4-6 by having them count visual object groups, subtract, and then physically select and paste the correct numeral answer from a set of choices. Counting objects before subtracting keeps the math anchored in real quantities rather than abstract numerals alone, which is exactly the kind of support young learners need before they're ready for purely symbolic subtraction. The cut-and-paste answer selection also adds a layer of verification, since your child has to search through several numeral options to find the one that truly matches their calculated answer.
Subtraction Worksheet: Count and Subtract with Fun Objects!
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
This worksheet grounds subtraction in something 4-6 year olds can actually see and count — a group of objects being taken away — rather than starting with abstract numerals and symbols. Because your child has to count the starting group, physically account for the number being subtracted, and then count what's left, this builds real number sense about what subtraction means, not just a memorized fact.
Subtraction Fun: Counting and Subtracting Worksheet for Kids
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
This worksheet teaches children ages 4-6 the concept of subtraction by having them count a group of stars, cross out a specified number, and write how many remain — making the abstract idea of 'taking away' visible and countable rather than purely symbolic. Physically crossing out objects before writing the answer helps children understand subtraction as an action, which is more intuitive at this age than memorizing subtraction facts.
Navratri Laddoo Maths: Add, Take Away and Share
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
Children add two picture groups, take away by crossing out, share laddoos equally between plates and find the missing part of number bonds that make 9.
Subtraction Worksheet: Count and Subtract for Preschoolers
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
This worksheet introduces children ages 4-6 to subtraction by having them count a group of objects, take away the indicated amount, and write the resulting difference. Grounding subtraction in physical counting rather than abstract number facts helps children build real number sense, understanding subtraction as 'taking away' rather than just memorizing symbols and answers.
Flower Power Subtraction Worksheet for Kids
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
This worksheet gives children ages 4-6 hands-on subtraction practice using a flower-themed counting context, asking them to count pictured objects, subtract a given amount, and write the difference in a circle. The visual, countable format helps make subtraction concrete rather than abstract, reinforcing that 'taking away' reduces a group's total in a way children can see and verify by recounting.
Crossword Math Worksheet: Fill in the Missing Numbers!
Ages 4-6 · Pre-K–KindergartenAges 4-6 · Reception–Year 1Ages 4-6 · LKG–UKGAges 4-6
This crossword-style worksheet has 4-6 year olds solve a series of subtraction equations to fill in missing numbers, then cross-check their answers by matching them across and down within the grid — a built-in accuracy check that regular subtraction worksheets don't offer. Because an answer has to be correct in both directions to complete the crossword properly, this format naturally encourages your child to double-check their subtraction rather than move on after a single attempt.
What LKG subtraction worksheets cover
At four to five, subtraction is something a child does with hands before it is anything on paper. A worksheet should show a small group of objects, five or fewer to begin with, mark some as taken away, and ask the child to count what remains and say the number. Expect finger counting, expect the answer to be found by recounting from one, and do not expect the minus sign or a written number sentence to mean anything yet.
- Count five apples, cross out two, count and circle how many are left
- Say "one less" for any group of up to five pictures
- Act out take-away with blocks or snacks before touching the sheet
- Match a picture of three left to the numeral 3
How to use these worksheets at home or in class
Ten to fifteen minutes with one warm-up pattern sheet followed by a single letter or number page fits a four-year-old's attention span. Read each instruction aloud before your child begins, and show a correct starting point once rather than repeatedly erasing an attempt.
Start with the sheet that matches what your child can already do, then move one step up. Keep finished sheets in a folder: LKG teachers often ask for evidence of practice, and children like seeing their own progress.
Is your child ready for LKG subtraction work?
A child entering this stage should already trace straight and curved lines confidently, hold a pencil with three fingers rather than a fist, sit for ten minutes without wandering off, and recognise a handful of capital letters from their own name.
Frequently asked questions
Is a four-year-old too young for subtraction worksheets?
Not if the sheet shows pictures rather than numbers. A four-year-old can take two toys from five and count the three left over, which is the whole idea of subtraction. What a child this age cannot yet do is read 5 − 2 = 3 as an instruction, or count backward. Keep every problem inside five, keep real objects beside the sheet, and let the answer come from counting the pictures that remain.
What should a LKG child be able to do in subtraction?
At four to five, subtraction is something a child does with hands before it is anything on paper. A worksheet should show a small group of objects, five or fewer to begin with, mark some as taken away, and ask the child to count what remains and say the number. Expect finger counting, expect the answer to be found by recounting from one, and do not expect the minus sign or a written number sentence to mean anything yet. A child entering this stage should already trace straight and curved lines confidently, hold a pencil with three fingers rather than a fist, sit for ten minutes without wandering off, and recognise a handful of capital letters from their own name.
Do these worksheets follow the LKG curriculum?
The sheets cover taking away from a group, counting back from a number, finding the difference between two numbers and fact families linked to addition, which sit inside the NEP 2020 Foundational Stage (NCF-FS 2022) outcomes for LKG. Pre-K (US), Reception (UK) use the same skills at this age, so the sheets also fit families following those programmes.
Are the LKG subtraction worksheets free to download?
Yes. Every sheet on this page can be downloaded free as a watermarked PDF after creating an account, up to five downloads a day. The annual membership (₹1000) removes the watermark and the daily limit across the full library of more than 1,000 worksheets and all activity packs.
Written by
Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena
MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai
Written and reviewed by Hemsweta Jain (Teacher Cheena), who designs every RaisoActive worksheet.
Last reviewed
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