Kindergarten addition and subtraction worksheets give young learners their first practice with putting groups together and taking them apart. These free printable worksheets stay within 10, use pictures and counting, and have an answer key on every PDF. Use the maker above for 1-digit facts, or choose a ready sheet from the list below.
Quick answer: Kindergarten students add and subtract within 10, and fluently within 5. Start with objects and pictures, then move to number sentences like 3 + 2 = 5 and 5 − 2 = 3. This page has free kindergarten addition and subtraction worksheets (PDF) with answer keys and a maker for 1-digit facts. Updated October 2026.
Ready-to-print samples
A few of the free PDFs from the lists below. Each has an answer key, and the full set for each grade is further down the page.
Addition and subtraction worksheets for kindergarten
Here are the ready-to-print kindergarten addition and subtraction worksheets, with pictures, counting and facts within 10.
35 free addition and subtraction worksheets for kindergarten across 2 topics, each with an answer key.
Addition worksheets for kindergarten
All addition worksheets →
Subtraction worksheets for kindergarten
All subtraction worksheets →
Start with pictures and objects
Before any symbols, let children act out stories with counters, blocks or snacks. Then move to drawings and number sentences. Each of these picture ideas matches a number sentence:
| Picture idea | Number sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 3 apples and 2 more apples | 3 + 2 = ? | 5 |
| 4 birds, 1 flies away | 4 − 1 = ? | 3 |
| 2 red cars and 5 blue cars | 2 + 5 = ? | 7 |
| 6 cookies, you eat 2 | 6 − 2 = ? | 4 |
| 5 stars and 4 more stars | 5 + 4 = ? | 9 |
| 10 balloons, 3 pop | 10 − 3 = ? | 7 |
Adding and subtracting within 5
Fluency within 5 is the kindergarten goal. Children should know these facts without counting, and use their fingers as a bridge:
| Within 5 | Addition facts | Subtraction facts |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 + 3, 1 + 2 | 3 − 0, 3 − 1, 3 − 2, 3 − 3 |
| 4 | 0 + 4, 1 + 3, 2 + 2 | 4 − 0, 4 − 1, 4 − 2, 4 − 3, 4 − 4 |
| 5 | 0 + 5, 1 + 4, 2 + 3 | 5 − 0, 5 − 1, 5 − 2, 5 − 3, 5 − 4, 5 − 5 |
Number bonds to 10 worksheet ideas
A number bond splits a whole into two parts. Knowing the pairs that make 10 is the key to adding and subtracting later, and kindergarten standard K.OA.A.4 asks for exactly this:
| Number bond of 10 | Addition | Subtraction |
|---|---|---|
| 1 and 9 | 1 + 9 = 10 | 10 − 1 = 9 |
| 2 and 8 | 2 + 8 = 10 | 10 − 2 = 8 |
| 3 and 7 | 3 + 7 = 10 | 10 − 3 = 7 |
| 4 and 6 | 4 + 6 = 10 | 10 − 4 = 6 |
| 5 and 5 | 5 + 5 = 10 | 10 − 5 = 5 |
Try ten kindergarten addition and subtraction problems
Read each problem aloud. Children can use fingers, counters or a number line.
| # | Problem | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 + 3 | 5 |
| 2 | 4 + 1 | 5 |
| 3 | 5 − 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 6 + 2 | 8 |
| 5 | 7 − 3 | 4 |
| 6 | 3 + 6 | 9 |
| 7 | 9 − 5 | 4 |
| 8 | 4 + 4 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 − 6 | 4 |
| 10 | __ + 5 = 10 | 5 |
Kindergarten addition worksheets and kindergarten subtraction worksheets
This page is also searched as kindergarten addition worksheets, kindergarten subtraction worksheets, addition and subtraction for kindergarten and addition and subtraction within 10 worksheets. All of them are the free PDFs above, with an answer key, for US Letter or A4. Start with addition, because children find adding easier than taking away, then add subtraction once adding within 5 is secure.
Kindergarten math vocabulary
Students answer questions faster when they know the words. These are the terms used on the worksheets and answer keys:
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add | Put groups together | 2 + 3 |
| Subtract | Take away or find how many are left | 5 − 2 |
| Equals | The same amount as | 2 + 3 = 5 |
| Number bond | A whole and its two parts | 10 = 6 + 4 |
| Plus and minus | The signs for adding and subtracting | + and − |
| Fewer and more | Words for comparing amounts | 3 is fewer than 5 |
Common Core standards for kindergarten addition and subtraction
These worksheets support the Common Core kindergarten operations and algebraic thinking standards:
| Grade | Standard | What students do |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | K.OA.A.1 | Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, drawings and equations |
| Kindergarten | K.OA.A.2 | Solve word problems within 10 using objects or drawings |
| Kindergarten | K.OA.A.3 | Decompose numbers up to 10 in more than one way |
| Kindergarten | K.OA.A.4 | Find the number that makes 10 when added to a given number |
| Kindergarten | K.OA.A.5 | Fluently add and subtract within 5 |
Common mistakes in kindergarten addition and subtraction
| Mistake | Example | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Counting the first number again | 4 + 2: counting 4, 5, 6 as 3 steps | Start at 4 and count two more: 5, 6 |
| Subtracting in the wrong direction | 2 − 5 = 3 | Subtract the smaller from the larger: 5 − 2 = 3 |
| Adding when the picture shows some taken away | 5 birds, 2 fly away: 7 | Away means subtract: 5 − 2 = 3 |
| Reversing digits when writing | Writing 6 as a backwards 6 | Practice number writing alongside counting |
| Guessing without counting | Saying 8 for 3 + 4 | Use objects or a number line to check |
| Not understanding the equals sign | 3 + 2 = 5 + 1 seen as wrong | Equals means the same amount on both sides |
| Stopping at 5 | Cannot continue past 5 | Count up with fingers on two hands to reach 10 |
Games to practice at home
Play beats drilling at this age. Try these quick games:
| Game | How to play | Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Dice add | Roll two dice and add the dots | Adding within 12 |
| Snack subtraction | Count 10 crackers, eat some, count what is left | Subtracting within 10 |
| Number bond hunt | Find two groups of toys that make 10 | Pairs to 10 |
| Hop the number line | Hop forward to add and back to subtract on a floor number line | Counting on and back |
| Story time | Tell a story problem and let the child act it out | Word problems |
How to use these kindergarten addition and subtraction worksheets
Use the kindergarten addition and subtraction worksheets in short bursts of five to ten minutes. Begin with the picture worksheets and let your child count each group. Move to the number sentence worksheets when counting is easy. Keep a set of counters nearby, because physical objects make the idea real.
Praise the explanation, not just the answer. Ask, “How do you know?” after each problem. The kindergarten addition and subtraction worksheets on this page include an answer key so that you can check the work together without any prep.
A weekly plan for kindergarten addition and subtraction
| Day | Focus | Suggested block |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Adding with pictures | 10 min |
| Tuesday | Subtracting with pictures | 10 min |
| Wednesday | Number bonds to 10 | 10 min |
| Thursday | Number sentences | 10 min |
| Friday | Play a math game | 10 min |
| Weekly total | Five very short sessions | 50 min |
Frequently asked questions
5 quick answers
Where can I download free kindergarten addition and subtraction worksheets?
Open any worksheet in the list on this page, choose US Letter or A4, then print or save the PDF. They are free, with answer keys, and no account is needed.
What numbers should kindergarteners add and subtract?
They add and subtract within 10, and are expected to be fluent within 5 by the end of the year.
Should kindergarteners learn addition or subtraction first?
Start with addition, then add subtraction. Children find putting groups together easier than taking away.
How can I help my child add and subtract?
Use real objects, a number line and games, and ask them to explain their thinking.
What are number bonds?
A number bond shows how a whole splits into two parts, such as 10 = 6 + 4. Bonds to 10 are a key kindergarten skill.
More math practice
- Addition and subtraction worksheets for the full range.
- Kindergarten math worksheets.
- Ten frames for numbers to 20.
- Number lines.