Kindergarten Word Problems Worksheets

Kindergarten word problems are tiny stories that children can see. On these worksheets every story comes with pictures to count: balloons, ducks, apples, cookies, fish, stars and flowers. Children count the pictures, then fill in a number sentence such as 3 + 2 = 5. In the take-away stories, the pictures that leave the story are already crossed out, so children can count what is left.

What is on these worksheets

• Picture addition to 5: two small groups join together. The best place to start.
• Picture addition to 10: the same kind of story with bigger groups.
• Picture take-away to 10: some things go away, and the crossed-out pictures show which ones.
• Mixed stories to 10: two addition and two take-away stories, so children decide which one it is.

Every sheet has four stories in big, easy-to-read type, and page 2 is the answer key. These word problems follow the Common Core standard K.OA.A.2: solve addition and subtraction word problems within 10, using objects or drawings.

How to teach kindergarten word problems

1. Read the story aloud. Most children in kindergarten cannot read the story yet, and that is fine. Read it slowly and point to each picture.
2. Act it out. Use real toys, blocks or snacks to show the story: “Ava has 3 balloons. A friend gives her 2 more.”
3. Count the pictures. Touch each picture once while counting. For take-away stories, count only the pictures that are not crossed out.
4. Fill in the number sentence. Write the first number, the second number and the answer. Say the whole sentence out loud: “Three plus two equals five.”

A worked example

“There are 6 ducks in a pond. 4 ducks fly away. How many ducks are still in the pond?”

Count all the ducks: 6. Four of them are crossed out because they flew away. Count the ducks that are left: 2. The number sentence is 6 − 4 = 2, so 2 ducks are still in the pond.

Common mistakes

• Counting a picture twice. Show children how to touch each picture once, from left to right.
• Counting the crossed-out pictures. In take-away stories, ask “how many are still here?”
• Writing the numbers in the wrong order. In take-away stories, the biggest number always comes first.

When children can do these without help, move on to the addition and subtraction word problems for grades 1 and 2, or try our list of 40 simple word problems with answers.

Word problems drawn as pictures

Drawing is the main strategy at this age: children show the story with circles, cross out what goes away and count what is left. These three pictures show the three moves your child will use most.

10 kindergarten math word problems to read aloud

These ten problems are for extra practice away from the worksheets. They use numbers up to 10 and everyday things a child can picture or act out with toys.

Read each problem aloud or let your child read it, then check the answer below it. To print the problems as a quiz, with or without the answers, use the print buttons on this page.

1. Mia has 2 red apples and 3 green apples. How many apples does Mia have?
   Answer: 5 apples (2 + 3 = 5)
2. There are 7 frogs on a log. 3 frogs jump into the water. How many frogs are still on the log?
   Answer: 4 frogs (7 − 3 = 4)
3. Leo has 4 blocks. His sister gives him 4 more. How many blocks does Leo have now?
   Answer: 8 blocks (4 + 4 = 8)
4. 9 bubbles float up into the sky. 5 bubbles pop. How many bubbles are left?
   Answer: 4 bubbles (9 − 5 = 4)
5. There are 6 toy cars in the box and 1 toy car on the floor. How many toy cars are there in all?
   Answer: 7 toy cars (6 + 1 = 7)
6. A plate has 10 grapes. Sam eats 2 grapes. How many grapes are left on the plate?
   Answer: 8 grapes (10 − 2 = 8)
7. 3 birds sit on a fence. 3 more birds land next to them. How many birds are on the fence now?
   Answer: 6 birds (3 + 3 = 6)
8. There are 8 crayons in a cup. 4 crayons are blue and the rest are red. How many crayons are red?
   Answer: 4 red crayons (8 − 4 = 4)
9. Ana has 5 stickers. Ben has 2 stickers. How many stickers do they have together?
   Answer: 7 stickers (5 + 2 = 7)
10. There are 10 children at the park. 6 children go home. How many children are still at the park?
    Answer: 4 children (10 − 6 = 4)

The four kinds of word problems

Kindergarten stories come in four kinds. Children do not need the names, but knowing them helps you mix the stories you tell at home.

“Take apart” problems have more than one right answer, which surprises children. They match the Common Core standard K.OA.A.3: break numbers up to 10 into pairs in more than one way.

Word problems in everyday life

• Snack time: “You have 5 crackers. If you eat 2, how many will be left?” Let your child check by eating them.
• Tidying up: “There are 3 books on the bed and 4 on the floor. How many books go back on the shelf?”
• Getting dressed: “You have 2 socks on. How many more do you need for both feet and both of Teddy’s feet?”
• On a walk: count dogs, red cars or birds, then ask how many there would be if one more came along.

Is my child ready for 1st grade word problems?

By the end of kindergarten, most children can do the following (from the Common Core kindergarten math standards):

• Count out up to 20 objects and say how many there are.
• Solve add-to and take-from stories within 10 with objects or drawings (K.OA.A.2).
• Add and subtract within 5 quickly, without counting on fingers (K.OA.A.5).
• Find the number that makes 10 with any number from 1 to 9, such as 7 and 3 (K.OA.A.4).

If your child can do these, move on to the 1st grade word problems.

More word problems

• Addition and subtraction word problems
• Multiplication and division word problems
• Two-step word problems
• Money word problems
• Time word problems
• Fraction word problems
• Multi-step word problems
• 40 simple word problems with answers
• How to solve math word problems

Last updated: October 2026