🔢 Numbers & shapes · Ages 4–5 · about 4 weeks

Adding and Taking Away

Goal: Add two small groups and take some away, using objects and fingers, within 10.

For parents: Real objects first, pictures second, numbers last. Every sum should start as a story: 'You have 3 biscuits and I give you 2 more…'

Do together

  1. Story sums

    You need: Toy cars, dolls or fruit

    Tell a story: '4 cars are parked. 2 more come. How many now?' Your child acts it out and counts all.

  2. Dice adding

    You need: Two dice

    Roll both, count all the dots. Later, start from the bigger number and count on: 'five… six, seven'.

  3. Take-away snack

    You need: A few pieces of fruit

    Count them. Eat one. How many are left? Keep going until none are left: 'Zero!'

Talk about it

  • How many altogether?
  • If I take 2 away, how many are left?
  • Did we get more or fewer?

Words to use

  • add
  • altogether
  • take away
  • left
  • equals
  • zero

Play

  • Add & Take Away
    Adding & taking away
  • Make the Number
    Number bonds
  • Ten-Frame Fill
    Ten frames
Play these games free

Every game is free for every family until 20 November 2026.

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