Kindergarten subtraction
Kindergarten subtraction (KG): a quiz for kids, then every skill in order with lessons, a checklist and a 4-week plan for parents.
🧒 Kids: answer 10 kindergarten subtraction questions. Tap Check ✓ after each one!
⚡ Subtraction practice 🏆 Subtraction levels 🎮 Subtraction games
What kindergarteners learn about subtraction
In kindergarten, subtraction is about taking away. Children take away with fingers, objects and drawings, act out short stories, break numbers into two parts, and by the end of the year know the facts within 5 quickly. Writing number sentences such as 5 − 2 = 3 starts here, but real objects come first.
- K.OA.A.1: show subtraction with objects, fingers, drawings, acting out and number sentences.
- K.OA.A.2: solve subtraction word problems within 10 with objects or drawings.
- K.OA.A.3: break numbers up to 10 into two parts in more than one way.
- K.OA.A.5: subtract fluently within 5.
Other grades: Kindergarten · 1st grade · 2nd grade · 3rd grade · 4th grade
The big idea in kindergarten
Kindergarten subtraction is about taking away real things. A child who has eaten 2 of 5 crackers and counted the 3 left knows what 5 − 2 = 3 means. The symbols come after many stories like that.
Two habits matter most this year. The first is seeing the parts of a number: 5 is 3 and 2, so 5 take away 2 leaves 3. The second is counting back by 1 or 2 on fingers or a number path.
Keep sessions short and playful. Five to ten minutes with toys, snacks or a five frame is plenty. Stop while your child still wants more.
Kindergarten subtraction skills, in order
Work down the list. Each lesson explains the idea for parents with pictures and has a tool or quiz for your child.
| # | Skill (lesson) | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What subtraction means | Take-away maker |
| 2 | Subtraction within 10 | Practice |
| 3 | Counting back | Practice |
| 4 | Number line hops | Number line tool |
| 5 | Taking away from 10 | Practice |
| 6 | Fact families | Quiz on the page |
By the end of kindergarten, your child should be able to…
- Show 5 − 2 with fingers or blocks and say what is left.
- Solve a story like “6 ducks, 2 swim away” with a drawing.
- Break 5 into two parts in more than one way.
- Count back 1 or 2 from a number up to 10.
- Answer facts within 5 without counting on fingers.
Unsure where your child is? The subtraction levels page has a short test for every step from taking away to big numbers.
A 4-week plan for kindergarten subtraction
| When | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Taking away with toys and snacks |
| Week 2 | Parts of 5 with fingers and a five frame |
| Week 3 | Story problems within 10, acted out and drawn |
| Week 4 | Counting back 1 and 2; quick facts within 5 |
Add 5 minutes of fact practice every day with the subtraction practice trainer. Practice the matching addition facts in the same week.
More for kindergarten
All kindergarten math · Kindergarten addition · Subtraction quiz for every grade · Subtraction for kids
What to say to your child
A short script for teaching it the first time. Pause after each line and let your child do the next step.
- “Here are 5 crackers. You eat 2. How many are left?” (3.)
- “We had 5, took away 2 and got 3. We can write 5 − 2 = 3.”
- “Show me 5 fingers. Fold down 1. How many now?” (4.)
- “Start at 7 and count back 2.” (6, 5.)
- “Can you make up a take-away story for 4 − 1?”
More worked examples
Example 1: 5 − 2 with fingers
Hold up 5 fingers and fold down 2. Count the fingers still up: 3.
Example 2: a story within 10
“8 birds sit on a fence. 3 fly away.” Draw 8 dots, cross out 3 and count the rest: 5 birds.
Example 3: parts of 5
5 is 4 and 1, 3 and 2, or 5 and 0. So 5 − 1 = 4, 5 − 2 = 3 and 5 − 5 = 0.
Practice questions (answers below)
Ask these out loud or write them down. Check each answer, and ask “how did you get that?” for one or two.
- 2 − 1
- 4 − 2
- 5 − 1
- 5 − 3
- 3 − 0
- 4 − ? = 1
- 7 − 2
- 6 apples. You eat 2. How many are left?
- Show 5 as two parts in two ways.
- 10 − 1
Show the answers
- 1
- 2
- 4
- 2
- 3
- 3
- 5
- 4 apples
- For example 4 and 1, 3 and 2
- 9
Common mistakes
How to teach it at home
Five minutes a day
Short daily practice beats long weekend sessions.
Talk it through
Ask “how did you work that out?” for one problem each day.
Use real life
Change from shopping, pages left to read and days until a birthday are all subtraction.
By grade
- Before: what is subtraction
- After: 1st grade subtraction
Not sure where to start?
The free kindergarten math check-up tests every kindergarten topic in 8–12 minutes. It shows which topics are solid and which lesson to start with.
Worksheets and practice
Subtraction within 10 worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key.
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
What subtraction should a kindergartener know?
By the end of kindergarten, children take away within 10 with objects and drawings, solve simple story problems, break numbers into two parts and know facts within 5 quickly.
How do I teach subtraction to a kindergartener?
Use real objects: start with a group, take some away and count what is left. Then move to fingers, drawings and a five frame, and only then to writing 5 − 2 = 3.
Is there a kindergarten subtraction quiz?
Yes. The quiz at the top of this page has 10 mixed kindergarten subtraction questions. Each one is marked straight away, with a hint for every mistake. Play again for a fresh set, or try the subtraction quiz for every grade.
What is kindergarten (KG) subtraction?
Kindergarten (KG or UKG) in India and kindergarten in the US cover the same subtraction skills. This page lists them in order, starting with what subtraction means, subtraction within 10, counting back.
How much subtraction practice does a kindergartener need?
About 10 minutes a day: 5 minutes of facts with the trainer and 5 minutes on the current skill. Short daily practice works better than long weekly sessions.