Preschool addition activities


9 Easy Addition Activities for Kids That Are Totally Hands On - %%sitename%%

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Teaching Ideas

Written by Holly (Teach Starter)

Updated | 3 min read

Teaching addition can be a whole lot of fun for teachers and kids both, but there’s no question the same old activities can get stale after a while. Looking for creative ways to teach addition to your young students that will make your math centers a blast?

The Teach Starter teachers put our heads together to come up with some of our very favorite addition activities from our years in the classroom. Bonus: They’re all hands-on math activities!

Explore hundreds of addition strategies resources, created by teachers! 

Addition Activities for Kids

1.

Addition Card Game

Using a deck of cards, this addition activity can be played with 2 to 4 players, making it perfect for small groups. Each player picks up two cards. They then need to add the two numbers together and provide the answer. If they get it right, they get to keep the cards. If they don’t, they have to put their cards back at the bottom of the pile. Play continues to the right. The student with the most cards at the end wins!

2. Use Addition Flashcards

Print and laminate these cute owl addition flashcards for a number of games and activities. Have students play snap or memory or simply match up the number algorithm to its answer card.

Need more pre-designed flashcards? Check out our teacher team’s favorite flashcards! 

3. Play Adding Jenga

Using wood blocks, write simple addition problems on sticky labels and stick a variety to the end of each block. This addition game is played just like Jenga, with a small twist! The students must come up with the correct answer to the addition problem before they can attempt to remove the block.

4. Ladybug Addition Activity

Print this ladybug addition and subtraction template, and cut out the black dots and number cards for a great addition activity played with dice. Students can roll two dice or pick two number cards to create a number sentence.

They then place the black dots on the ladybug to show the answer to the addition number sentence.

Don’t want to always have dice flying across the classroom? Try the digital dice roller!

5. Use Beads and Cards for Adding

This addition activity can be varied to suit the resources you have available to you. We used a deck of cards, but you could also use two dice depending on the skill level of your students.

In the activity, students pull two cards from a deck of cards. They then thread the beads onto the pipe cleaner to show the two numbers. The students then have concrete objects to count to figure out the answer to the number sentence.

6.

Make a Coat Hanger and Clothespins Addition Machine

This is another great hands-on activity to reinforce the concept of addition. Have students roll two dice and then place the clothespins on the coat hanger to show the two numbers rolled. This provides them with concrete materials to then count the total.

Dive into Addition Quest: a fun whole class addition activity!

7. Create a Shoe Box Addition Machine

Create an addition machine using a shoe box and two cups with the bottoms cut out. Students roll two dice and then use the machine to figure out the answer by putting balls/counters through the cups to add the two numbers together. 

8. Put Together Polygon Puzzles — Addition Style

The aim of the game is for students to put the Polygon Puzzle back together by looking at the addition question and then placing the answer next to it.

Print the polygon puzzle template pages (there are seven in all!) and laminate them so they can be used over and over again. Then print out the puzzle pieces and cut and laminate them also. The aim of the game is for students to put the polygon puzzle back together by looking at the addition question and then placing the answer next to it.

9. Play Addition Catch

Using a beach ball, write simple addition number sentences on the ball. Students throw the ball to each other and pick a number sentence close to one of their hands to answer. As a fun alternative, play a class game of catch, time how long it takes for every student to catch and answer a problem.

See more fun and engaging resources for teaching about addition!
  • Year Level Us
  • Teaching Ideas
  • Mathematics
  • Operations
  • Addition
  • Pre-Kindergarten
  • Kindergarten
  • Grade 1
  • Grade 2

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25 Awesome Addition Activities That All Add Up to Fun

1 + 1 = 2. It’s the basic foundation for every child’s math education and the building block to a whole world of learning. Addition is usually the first of the four operations that kids tackle, and mastering it is key to success for years to come. Try these fun addition activities in the classroom or at home to help your students become math wizards in no time!

1. Build block towers.

Lay out flashcards, and then use blocks to create towers that answer the problems. Addition activities like this incorporate visual and hands-on techniques, honoring a variety of learning strategies.

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Learn more: Nurture Store

2. Make a dice calculator.

This is bound to be a ton of fun! Kids drop a die through each cup, then add up the numbers that fall through. So simple, and so enjoyable. Learn how to make a dice calculator here.

3. Play a game of addition Jenga.

Stick addition problems to the ends of Jenga blocks. Kids must solve the equation before they can attempt to remove the block.

Learn more: TeachStarter

4. Create an addition apple tree.

Hands-on addition activities really make learning stick. Learn how to make and use this adorable addition apple tree at the link.

Learn more: CBC Parents

5. Use stickers for hands-on practice.

Sticker dots are inexpensive; you can usually pick them up at the dollar store. Little ones will really get a kick out of using them to answer a series of addition problems.

Learn more: Busy Toddler

6. Park and add some toy cars.

Roll out the toy cars and trucks! Use them as math manipulatives as you work on your addition facts.

Learn more: What We Do All Day

7.

Thread beads onto pipe cleaners.

You can use pipe cleaners and beads for a variety of addition activities. In this one, put beads at opposite ends of a pipe cleaner, then bend them together and solve the equation.

Learn more: Creative Family Fun

8. Deal UNO cards.

Use UNO cards or a regular deck with the face cards removed for this addition game. Simply lay out two cards and add them together!

Learn more: Planning Playtime

9. Cut out addition flowers.

This pretty math craft gives kids a chance to work on addition activities like number bonds and mastering math facts. Get the free printable at the link.

Learn more: Fantastic Fun and Learning

10. Clip clothespins to a hanger.

Who doesn’t love inexpensive math manipulatives you can put together yourself in a snap? Grab some hangers and clothespins to create these addition toys.

Learn more: TeachStarter

11.

Fingerpaint addition clouds.

What a sweet idea! Write addition problems on clouds, then use finger paints to add the correct number of raindrops underneath. 

Learn more: Preschool Play and Learn

12. Use sticky notes to make 10.

Sticky notes have so many uses in the classroom. Write individual numbers on them, then use the notes to “make 10” or any other number you choose.

Learn more: Life Over Cs

13. Practice regrouping with LEGO bricks.

When you’re ready to move onto slightly more advanced addition activities, use LEGO bricks to help kids understand the concept of regrouping. (Find many more LEGO math ideas here.)

Learn more: Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls

14. Toss a beach ball.

Jot numbers all over a beach ball using a Sharpie. Then, toss it to a student and wherever their thumbs land, have them add up the two numbers closest. Ready for trickier addition activities? Add up all the numbers their fingers are touching!

Learn more: Saddle Up for 2nd Grade

15.

Twist up pool noodle equations.

Who knew you could use pool noodles for so many cool things in the classroom? We love this interchangeable equation maker, perfect for practicing addition facts.  Learn how to create a pool noodle equations maker here.

16. Assemble Play-Doh addition spiders.

Nothing scary about these little spiders! They’re just here to help kids practice their math facts. Insert pipe cleaner legs and find the total!

Learn more: The Kindergarten Connections

17. Try mini-clothespins and wood craft sticks.

Similar to the hanger activity above, this idea uses wood craft sticks and mini-clothespins. It’s a nice way to work in some fine motor skill practice too.

Learn more: Planning Playtime

18. Pull out the dominoes.

Here’s an easy one! Just turn dominoes sideways and they become math problems to be solved. Say them out loud, or write the equations for more practice.

Learn more: Simply Kinder

19. Grab a handful of toys.

Kids will like the mystery element in this addition activity. Fill bags with small toys or mini erasers, then have them grab a handful from each and add them together!

Learn more: Susan Jones Teaching

20. Color by number.

Pull out the crayon box—it’s time to color by number! The twist? Kids have to solve the equations first to learn the right colors to pick. Get the free printables at the link.

Learn more: The STEM Laboratory

21. Add and sort dominoes.

You can do a variety of addition activities with dominoes. For this version, lay out a number line, then sort the dominoes by the sum of their two sides.

Learn more: Busy Toddler

22. Battle it out in Double Dice War.

Have you ever seen dice-in-dice? They’re so cool, and kids can’t get enough of them. Play addition war by having each student roll a die and add the numbers together. The one with the higher sum wins. Got a tie? Break it by looking at the number on the outside die. ( Find more dice-in-dice games and activities here.)

23. Pick up some pom poms.

Use double dice or regular ones along with a package of pom poms for this easy addition activity. Or try it with goldfish crackers for a tasty way to learn!

Learn more: Simply Kinder

24. Flip a flashcard pancake.

These pancakes aren’t very tasty, but they’re definitely a clever take on traditional flashcards. Kids will have fun flipping them with a spatula to check their answers.

Learn more: I Can Teach My Child

25. Be the first to fill your grid.

Get the free printable game boards for this addition activity at the link. Kids roll the dice and try to be the first to make sums that fill in their grids.

Learn more: Susan Jones Teaching

Addition and number bonds go hand-in-hand. Discover 20 Terrific Number Bonds Activities here.

Plus, enhance early math skills with these clever 10 frame activities.

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    As soon as a child enters the first grade, parents immediately have a question - what to do with free time? On the one hand, lessons, classmates, new interests and activities. But on the other hand, school is only one type of activity, and the child wants to be given all-round development.

    The circles and sections themselves are still very useful for both preschoolers and schoolchildren. They allow you to develop those skills and abilities that are not always possible to obtain at school. In addition, additional classes outside the school walls teach you how to properly organize your day and simply switch from one lesson to another, giving yourself a break. And even if we discard the practical benefits, mugs and sections bring new experiences and new friends.

    Extra activities for preschoolers and preschoolers are a great choice. But only if you don't "overdo it" with them. A typical mistake: parents are afraid that the child in their absence will be busy “do not understand what”, and therefore enroll him in all circles in a row - from karate to French. But such an approach will not work. The result of additional classes will only be constant fatigue, irritability and deterioration in school performance. And it is unlikely that a child will receive the same pleasure from all his circles.

    The best way to choose extra activities for preschoolers and schoolchildren is to ask your child where they would like to go after kindergarten or school. That is, to give the baby the right to vote. Just before that, tell us what circles exist and how serious efforts they require. Not all schoolchildren, and even more so, preschoolers, understand what it means to purposefully engage in, for example, playing the piano, and how much effort it requires.

    It happens that a child, simply because of a lack of experience, chooses a circle, but quickly becomes disillusioned with it and does not want to go to classes. If this has happened more than once, do not scold him. He's just looking for his own. You can even see this as a positive side - your child is very inquisitive and shows interest in many things. Soon he will definitely find something that suits him, because there are a lot of additional activities for preschoolers and schoolchildren, so the kid will have plenty to choose from.

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    Extra activities for children

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    And if, on the contrary, there are no questions or errors, the guys will be able to study interesting additional material and work on the subject even deeper.

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