🔢 Numbers & shapes · Ages 5–6 · about 4 weeks

Adding and Subtracting to 20

Goal: Add and subtract within 20 by counting on, counting back and using number bonds.

For parents: Encourage counting on from the bigger number instead of counting everything from one — it is faster and it is the bridge to mental maths.

Do together

  1. Number line jumps

    You need: A chalk number line 0–20

    Stand on 8. Jump forward 5: where do you land? Jump back 3 from 15. Write the sum afterwards: 8 + 5 = 13.

  2. Shop sums

    You need: Toys with price tags from 1 to 10

    Buy two toys: how much altogether? You have 15: after buying a 6, how much is left?

  3. Double trouble

    You need: Dice

    Roll one die and double it. Then roll two: are they a double? Doubles (3 + 3, 5 + 5) are easy facts to learn first.

Talk about it

  • Which number should you start counting from?
  • Is 9 + 6 the same as 6 + 9?
  • How did you work that out?

Words to use

  • add
  • subtract
  • plus
  • minus
  • equals
  • double
  • count on

Play

  • Add & Take Away
    Adding & taking away
  • Make the Number
    Number bonds
  • Number Train
    Number order
Play these games free

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

Your child can…

Ticks are saved on this device only. Move on when most are ticked.