Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Once kindergarteners have learned the numbers, the next step is to teach them how to add and subtract numbers. Kids in kindergarten are naturally curious and love learning new things, but math learning is never on top of their list. Sitting in a classroom and learning addition and subtraction might become a drag. But including hands-on activities like subtraction worksheets for kindergarten and games, the same math class becomes lively and interesting. These math worksheets for kids are a great way to introduce subtraction and help them master the concept.

Simple Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Once the students have grasped the concepts of subtraction, it’s time to reinforce the knowledge. The best way to do this is to solve simple subtraction worksheets for kindergarten. These subtraction worksheets for kids include pictures and coloring pages to help children learn how to subtract easily. 

List of Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten Kids

Subtraction Worksheet for Kindergarten

Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Check out this subtracting integers worksheet to improve your child’s subtraction skills.

Single Digit Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Subtracting Numbers within 5 Worksheet for Kindergarten

Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Subtraction Using the Take Away Method Worksheet

Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Subtraction Using the Take Away Method Within 5

Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Find How Many are Left Over Subtraction Worksheet

Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Subtract by Crossing Out Objects 

Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Subtraction Coloring Worksheet for Kindergarten

Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Tips to Teach Subtraction with Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten

Addition is a math concept that most children pick up easily. They realize that adding objects or numbers together make the total sum more. However, subtraction isn’t as easy. The concept of taking away is not as easy to grasp straight away. It sometimes feels like a foreign language to most children. But, it’s not impossible. Here are a few strategies that will help you make learning subtraction fun and easy for your children.

  • A firm understanding of numbers

According to several studies, little children who don’t understand the concept of numbers usually have trouble learning basic arithmetic operations. To remedy this, kindergarten students must first learn what numbers are, what they represent and understand how they relate to the other numbers. Counting is the first step to understand numbers. They should learn to count everything around them. Once they have a solid grasp of numbers and counting, they can start learning addition and subtraction.

  • Teach children how to add using direct modeling or concrete counting

For most kindergartners, numeracy development happens in stages. Teach them how to add before you tackle subtraction. At this age, kids learn better with real-life or physical objects that they can manipulate than with numbers on paper. This method of adding and subtracting using these objects is called direct modeling or concrete counting. 

For example: Place three apples in front of the child. Ask the child to count the number of apples. Then, place two more apples in front of the child alongside the other three apples. Now, ask the child to count the total number of apples.

Once the child grasps the concept of adding using manipulatives, teach them to count on their fingers. And then when they’re confident, you can start teaching them to add numbers on paper. 

  • Subtraction through stories

Subtraction is nothing but finding the difference or taking away. Once the students understand this concept, they’ll find subtracting easier. Little kids always love listening to stories. So introducing subtraction or taking away using stories or songs is a great idea. 

For example: Hand the children 5 bird stickers or foam bird cutouts and a tree cutout. Ask them to count the number of birds on the tree. Then sing,

“Five little birdies sitting on the tree

 Two fly away, so how many are there?”

Ask the children to remove two of the birds and count the remaining number of birds on the tree. Continue the activity with a different number of birds each time until they understand the concept of subtraction.

  • Practice subtraction using concrete counting

Children understand better when you use concrete counting to help them understand subtraction. Use physical and real objects to help them to count objects and grasp the concept of taking away. 

For example: Place 4 oranges in front of the child. Ask them to count the total number of oranges. Now take two of the oranges away and ask them to count the remaining oranges. Help them understand that when you took the two oranges away, you were subtracting. Try with a different number of oranges each time to help them understand subtraction. 

Once they understand subtraction using manipulatives, teach them to subtract using their fingers and finally move on to numbers on paper.

  • Subtraction facts

Subtraction facts are an essential foundation for teaching children how to subtract. Subtraction facts are all the differences of the numbers from 1 – 1 to 18 – 9. Once kids know the full subtraction facts chart they’ll be ready to tackle subtracting bigger numbers and word problems. Here is the subtraction facts chart:

10 – 1 = 911 – 2 = 912 – 3 = 913 – 4 = 914 – 5 = 915 – 6 = 916 – 7 = 917 – 8 = 918 – 9 = 9
9 – 1 = 810 – 2 = 811 – 3 = 812 – 4 = 813 – 5 = 814 – 6 = 815 – 7 = 816 – 8 = 817 – 9 = 8
8 – 1 = 79 – 2 = 710 – 3 = 711 – 4 = 712 – 5 = 713 – 6 = 714 – 7 = 715 – 8 = 716 – 9 = 7
7 – 1 = 68 – 2 = 69 – 3 = 610 – 4 = 611 – 5 = 612 – 6 = 613 – 7 = 614 – 8 = 615 – 9 = 6
6 – 1 = 57 – 2 = 58 – 3 = 59 – 4 = 510 – 5 = 511 – 6 = 512 – 7 = 513 – 8 = 514 – 9 = 5
5 – 1 = 46 – 2 = 47 – 3 = 48 – 4 = 49 – 5 = 410 – 6 = 411 – 7 = 412 – 8 = 413 – 9 = 4
4 – 1 = 35 – 2 = 36 – 3 = 37 – 4 = 38 – 5 = 39 – 6 = 310 – 7 = 311 – 8 = 312 – 9 = 3
3 – 1 = 24 – 2 = 25 – 3 = 26 – 4 = 27 – 5 = 28 – 6 = 29 – 7 = 210 – 8 = 211 – 9 = 2
2 – 1 = 13 – 2 = 14 – 3 = 15 – 4 = 16 – 5 = 17 – 6 = 18 – 7 = 19 – 8 = 110 – 9 = 1
1 – 1 = 02 – 2 = 03 – 3 = 04 – 4 = 05 – 5 = 06 – 6 = 07 – 7 = 08 – 8 = 09 – 9 = 0
  • Games and activities

Children learn quicker when learning is combined with playing. All kinds of play can be educational. Try teaching subtraction using games and activities to help children understand how to find the difference. Check out these amazing games and activities on Osmo to help your child learn math – math facts games and kindergarten math games.


For more activities, games and worksheets that make learning fun, check our kids learning section.