Subtraction is an essential mathematical skill that allows us to find out what number is left when we take a number away from another number. The skill of subtraction can often be challenging for students. Therefore, it is crucial to find the best activities to help students understand and strengthen their subtraction skills. We created a list of 18 super subtraction activities to assist you as you plan the best and most engaging subtraction lessons for your students.
1. Get Off My Boat Subtraction Game
This great subtraction activity gets kids moving and engaged! Use tape and make a boat on the classroom floor. Place a few students on the boat, count them, then remove a few students from the boat. This allows the students to solve the equation!
Learn more: The Kindergarten Smorgasboard
2. Penguin Subtraction
This adorable hands-on subtraction activity provides lots of fun for students. This subtraction mat can be used with whole groups or as independent work in math centers. You can assign students numbers or have them choose the number of fish to start.
Learn more: Natalie Lynn Kindergarten
3. Locks and Keys Subtraction
Increase student engagement with locks and keys. This clever idea will become a favorite instructional tool in your classroom. It will even improve students' fine motor skills as they work to solve the equations and open each lock with the correct key.
Learn more: Differentiated Kindergarten
4. Pete the Cat Subtraction
Your students will demonstrate subtraction success with this Pete the Cat subtraction activity. First, read Pete The Cat and His 4 Groovy Buttons and then create this cute craft. Let the students decide the number of Pete's buttons that are going to pop off and have them write a number sentence to match. Use short paper strips with an accordion fold to demonstrate the buttons popping off.
Learn more: Kroger's Kindergarten
5. How Many Am I Hiding?
This is one of the cutest activities for teaching subtraction to preschoolers and kindergartners. You can use any small object, but these plastic ants work perfectly. Begin the game with a certain number of ants and then cover up a particular number of them with your hand. Allow the students to tell you how many you are hiding. They can also hide the ants and allow their classmates to identify the answer.
Learn more: Pre Kinders
6. Subtraction Bowling
Kids will love playing this awesome subtraction bowling game! Begin with 10 toilet paper rolls. The students will take away the number of toilet paper rolls they knockdown. Begin with the difference for the next roll. Students will get a final opportunity to knock all of the toilet paper rolls down. They will record the subtraction sentences as they play.
Learn more: Planning Playtime
7. Silly Monster Subtraction Mat
These silly monster subtraction mats are a favorite subtraction activity among preschoolers and kindergartners. They are also simple to use and terrific addition to your math centers. Googly eyes make perfect manipulative for this activity.
Learn more: Fun Learning for Kids
8. Beaded Number Rods
This hands-on and engaging subtraction activity is tons of fun for little ones! The supplies needed for this activity are very inexpensive. The sticks can be used for subtraction by simply sliding the beads down the stick.
Learn more: Tips and Ideas from Anne Gardner
9. In the Bag Subtraction
This easy prep subtraction activity is engaging, fun, and hands-on. It is also a super activity for math centers, and it is easily differentiated for all learners. Students will choose one of the subtraction flashcards, solve the equation, and then put it in the correct bag.
Learn more: The Kindergarten Smorgasboard
10. Lily Pad Subtraction
This is one of the cutest elementary math ideas! Use these plastic frogs and lily pad math manipulatives to teach students how to subtract. You can create this subtraction activity inexpensively and very quickly.
Learn more: No Time for Flashcards
11. Goldfish Subtraction Mat
This cute subtraction work mat is great for teaching students to practice subtracting from 20. Students will use goldfish crackers and the free printable to have fun while learning how to subtract. Use this activity for extra practice in classroom math centers or at home.
Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
12. Loose Tooth Subtraction
The loose tooth subtraction activity is a terrific resource for teachers! Give each student a picture of a child who has ten teeth. They will roll a die and blackout that number of teeth and then write the subtraction equation. This activity is perfect for struggling students.
Learn more: Heidi Songs
13. Football Subtraction
Football fans will love this amazing subtraction game! This football subtraction sorting game is perfect for subtraction beginners. It is a simple activity to create and can be used in math centers, small groups, and partner work. Print the activity, cut out the field goal cards and football cards, and the students are ready to play.
Learn more: Kindergarten Connection
14. Love Monster Subtraction
Love Monster Subtraction is a fun, hands-on activity that keeps students engaged as they practice subtraction skills. These Love Monster Subtraction within 10 cards are a wonderful hit in classroom math centers, especially on Valentine’s Day!
Learn more: Kindergarten Connection
15. Double-Digit Subtraction Card Game
This subtraction activity incorporates playing cards to provide extra practice with double-digit subtraction problems. You will only need the A and cards 2-9 for this subtraction practice activity. Keep rearranging four cards to find the difference between them.
Learn more: Line Upon Line Learning
16. Knock Over Dominoes Subtraction
Setting up dominoes and knocking them down is so much fun! This engaging subtraction activity provides hands-on fun with visual math. Students will read the problem on the subtraction card and set up the appropriate number of dominoes. They will then knock the correct number down. The difference is what is left standing.
Learn more: Planning Playtime
17. Cupcake Subtraction
Begin this lesson by reading aloud Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes to the students. Then have them create this hands-on math subtraction activity. Encourage the students to create different subtraction problems, or you can create the problems for them. They will use the cupcakes as counters to solve the subtraction problems.
Learn more: Primary Playground
18. Hungry Monster Subtraction
Your students will enjoy feeding the hungry monsters in this subtraction activity which also serves as a terrific sensory activity. All you will need is the monster printable, hair gel, ten buttons, a dice, and a plastic bag.
Learn more: Planning Playtime
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