1: Sticky Note Addition

For this whole group, hands-on addition activity, the teacher begins by writing numbers on the whiteboard. These numbers will serve as the sums for the activity, so you can differentiate them by writing numbers to 5, 10, or beyond.

Next, the teacher passes out sticky notes with addition sentences written on them. Taking turns, students read their addition sentence aloud, find the sum, and stick their addition sentence over it to complete the equation.

2: Addition to 10 Boom Cards

This addition activity is a 2-for-1 when it comes to learning as it's both hands-on AND digital! These Addition to 10 Boom Cards allow students to practice various addition equations up to 10. Students will count the ladybugs in each jar and use the digital number tiles to build the equation.

They get 30 different digital task cards to practice with. That's not all, though. They are self-checking, too. Students get instant feedback and you save time grading. What a win!

3: Addition Towers

This hands-on addition activity requires nothing more than plastic math cubes and sticky notes or notecards. Simply prep the sticky notes or notecards with addition equations. You can even use the same sticky note equations from the first activity above. Students will draw an equation and model it using 2 colors of plastic math cubes.

Another way to do this activity in a small group is by laying out all of the sticky notes and having students choose an equation, model it, and place their cube tower on the equation, working together until all of the equations are covered.

4: Flip and Solve

Addition practice mats offer a variety of ways to solve addition problems. Students can use various manipulatives and number lines to model equations. You could also make your own addition mats out of colored card stock or grab some done-for-you Flip and Solve mats.

Flip and Solve is jam-packed with hands-on learning opportunities. There are a variety of mats included, giving students different ways to model and solve equations. Students will flip a card, solve the equation using either manipulatives or a number line, and complete the addition sentence using a magnetic number tile. Recording sheets are also included for students to practice.

5: Ten-Frame Addition

The next of the hands-on addition activities is a great whole group game. You'll need painters tape and 2 colors of paper plates (like the ones from the party section). Use the tape to make a giant ten-frame on the carpet. Start by making the outside perimeter, then do a long strip down the middle, and then smaller strips to make the 10 sections. Pro tip- evenly space five plates to measure how long your ten frame needs to be, then move one down to measure how tall it should be, then make the rest of the tape strips.

Next, write addition sentences on notecards and turn them over face down. Call a student up to pick a card. They will read their addition sentence aloud and use the colored paper plates to model and solve the addition sentence on the ten-frame. While the student is solving, the other students can write and solve the problem on dry-erase boards and compare their answers.

6: Grab and Add

This hands-on addition activity is a great math center idea for students. Simply fill two containers with different types of objects. You can use anything! Plastic math cubes, counting bears, mini-erasers, or even marshmallows and chocolate candies. Students will reach in and grab a small handful of each object. They'll count the objects and write an addition sentence and sum on this FREE recording sheet or a dry-erase board.

7: Crack the Code

What kid doesn't love a good mystery? Your students are going to have a blast with this crack the code addition game! They'll use the secret code at the top of the page to build addition and subtraction sentences. There are 15 no-prep pages each for addition, subtraction, and mixed practice. These can be used for small groups, centers, morning tubs, etc. Hello math detectives!

8: Addition War

To play this addition game, all you need are regular playing cards. Remove the face cards from the deck. You can use the Aces as ones or remove those as well. Students will play with a partner. They both flip one card, laying them side by side. The first player to add the numbers correctly wins the round and gets to keep both cards. The first player to collect all of the cards wins the game.

9: Addition Story Problems

Story problems require a lot of practice and problem-solving. Students must learn how to solve story problems in a variety of ways. These 40 pages of addition and subtraction story problems will help them do just that! Students will solve 1 problem per page in a variety of ways, helping them practice multiple problem-solving strategies with one fun, no-prep activity.

10: Dice Addition

For this hands-on addition activity, students will roll 2 dice. The jumbo foam dice are fun for this and aren't so loud! The students will write the addition equation and solve it on a dry-erase board. This is a fun small group or math center game.

11: Domino Addition

Need an engaging addition game for your morning tubs or independent practice centers? Domino Addition is perfect for that. Simply write numbers 1-10 on notecards or use any number card you have and line up the cards. Students will draw a domino from the pile, add the dots on each side, and find the number card that matches the sum, placing the domino on top of it.

12: Addition and Subtraction to 10 Bundle

If you are craving even more hands-on addition activities but aren't wanting a ton of prep, look no further than the addition and subtraction to 10 bundle! This bundle includes 9 different addition and subtraction resources, all designed to help your students practice these math concepts in a hands-on way. From games and activity mats to mystery worksheets, your students will enjoy practicing all year long!

Addition practice doesn't have to be a drag. Spice up your curriculum with these hands-on addition activities and watch those light bulb moments come alive!

Ways to Make 5 and 10 Activities

Teaching students different ways to make 5 and 10 helps them learn how to compose and decompose numbers. This is a critical skill that students must learn before moving on to addition and subtraction.

This skill requires a lot of practice and exposure, which is why it's important to have a vast selection of ways to make 5 and 10 activities for your students to work with. Read on for 9 low-prep, effective activities for practicing making 5 and 10.

#1. Number Beads

For this activity, all you need are pipe cleaners and beads, such as those you find at the craft store. String 5 or 10 beads, depending on what number you're practicing, of the same color onto the pipe cleaner. Form the pipe cleaner into a circle.

Take a small piece of masking tape and write the number you're practicing on the tape. Use the tape to secure the pipe cleaner by taping the seam. Students can then move the beads on each side of the tape to show different ways to make 5 and 10.

#2. Roll a Number Pair

This Roll a Number Pair activity is a great ways to make 5 and 10 activity for kindergarten. Determine what number you're working on, either 5 or 10. Write different number pairs on a dry erase cube.

Students will take turns rolling the cube, reading the number pair, and telling if it makes 5 or 10. If you wanted to add an extra challenge, you could have students model the number pair using manipulatives and a ten-frame.

#3. Mini Eraser Ten-Frames

For this ways to make 5 and 10 activity, choose 2 colors or patterns of mini erasers. You can also use plastic math cubes or counting bears. Have students arrange the 2 colors in a 5 or 10 frame to show various ways to make 5 or 10.

Then, have them write the number pair on a whiteboard to show their understanding. This is great practice for beginning addition skills.

You can also use number pair cards and have students draw a card and then model the number pair with their mini erasers or manipulatives.

#4. Race to Make 5 or 10

This math game is a simple, yet exciting way to practice making 5 and 10. Write number pairs to 5 and 10 on notecards. Pass out the cards so each student has one. Give them a few seconds to look at the card without showing it to anyone.

When you say “GO,” students will hold up their card and look around the room, racing to get in groups of “Makes 5” and “Makes 10.” Each student in the group will then read their number pair aloud. This is a great way to practice differentiating number pairs to 5 and 10.

#5. Number Tower Match

For this activity, supply individual students with 2 colors of plastic math cubes. If you're practicing making 5, give them 5 of each color. If you're practicing making 10, give them 10 of each color.

Write number pairs to 5 or 10 on notecards. Students will draw a card and model the number pair using their counters.

You can differentiate this activity by giving them number cards with pairs to 5, pairs to 10, or both pairs to 5 and 10.

#6. Sticky Note Number Pairs

To prepare this activity, draw a simple 5 or 10 frame on the whiteboard. Call out a number pair and have students take turns coming to the whiteboard and using 2 colors of sticky notes to model number pairs.

After they've modeled the number pair, have them write the number pair on the whiteboard, such as “3 and 2 make 5.” You can even use this as an opportunity to practice writing addition equations and have them write “3+2=5.”

You can also do this activity using a magnetic ten-frame set on the whiteboard. If you wanted to do this as a game at the carpet, you could make a giant ten-frame out of painter's tape and have students use 2 colors of party plates to model the number pairs.

#7. Shake and Spill

Shake and Spill is a fun, hands-on way to practice making 5 and 10. Supply students with 2-color counters and a plastic or styrofoam cup. Students will put the counters in the cup, place their hand over the top, and shake the cup.

Then they will spill the counters onto the table and sort the colors to show the number pair. They will write the number pair on a whiteboard and continue shaking and spilling.

There are several Shake and Spill activities you can do to practice showing number pairs to 5 and 10. Students can color in a 5 or 10 frame to show the number pair, use counters on a five or ten-frame mat, practice writing equations, etc.

#8. Making 5 or 10 Rainbow

You can also practice ways to make 5 and 10 using a Making 5 or 10 Rainbow. You'll need a large piece of chart paper and rainbow colored markers. Begin by writing “Ways to Make 5” or “Ways to Make 10” on the top of the paper.

Use the first color of the rainbow, red, to draw a large rainbow arch. At one end of the arch, write the number 0 and at the other end, write the number 5. Use an orange marker to draw the next arch. Write the numbers 1 and 4 at the ends. Then, use a yellow marker to draw another arch and write the numbers 2 and 3 at the ends.

On the left side of the rainbow, you have the numbers 0, 1, and 2. On the right side of the rainbow, you have the numbers 3, 4, and 5. Under the left side, read the number pairs left to right, across the arch, and write the addition equations. For example, on the left side, you'll write 0+5=5, 1+4=5, and 2+3=5.

Under the right side, read the number pairs right to left, across the arch, and write the addition equations. For example, on the right side, you'll write 5+0=5, 4+1=5, and 3+2=5.

You can add more arches and equations to show ways to make 10.

#9. Magnetic Number Pairs

Mix up the making 5 and 10 practice by using magnetic numbers and counters to model and show number pairs. You can use these in various ways to differentiate the learning.

Students can draw a number pair notecard and model the number pair using the magnetic counters. They can then build the equation using the magnetic numbers.

They can also model their own number pairs to 5 or 10 using the counters and then build the matching equation.

Students could even work in partners for this activity. Each partner would model a number pair using counters. They would switch places, look at the number pair, and build the equation.

I hope these ways to make 5 and 10 activities for kindergarten have given you new ideas to practice this important skill with your students.

If you'd like to see more activities for making 5 and 10, including the ones shown in this blog post, check out my Ways to Make 5 and 10 Bundle.

#1. Subtraction Bowling

This subtraction activity for kindergarten is engaging and so much fun for students. You can play in whole group or small groups. To play subtraction bowling, simply set up 10 plastic party cups or toilet paper tubes in the shape of bowling pins. Stagger them in rows, 4 in the back row, then 3, 2, and 1 “bowling pin” in the front. Use a small ball to go bowling.

Students will take turns rolling the ball to see how many bowling pins they knock over. Each student will write the subtraction problem on whiteboards and read the subtraction sentence aloud. For example, if one student knocks down 5 bowling pins, all students will write 10-5=5. This activity works great if played in an open area of your classroom or even in the hallway. 

You can also grab your own bowling set to keep in your classroom. You could use this for several activities, including subtraction bowling, addition bowling, number recognition, color recognition, indoor recess, and more. Talk about working those gross motor skills, too!

#2. Subtraction to 10 Boom Cards

This engaging subtraction activity for kindergarten is the perfect way to incorporate technology into your math lessons. Students will solve subtraction problems on 30 digital task cards. Each task card has audio directions so your students know exactly what to do to be successful. Use this as a whole group or small group activity, independent learning center, or assessment.

Not only will your students have fun moving the digital bees into the honey jar to solve the problem and type their answer, but they'll love getting instant feedback on their answers. Plus, that means less grading and no prep for you as the teacher. These subtraction to 10 Boom Cards are great for active learners, visual learners, and auditory learners. 

#3. Act It Out

Act it out is a hands-on and engaging subtraction activity that encourages teamwork and collaboration amongst students. To play, line students up in a ten-frame shape. You can even use painters tape to make a giant ten-frame. Start by making the outside perimeter, then do a long strip down the middle and smaller strips to make the 10 sections.

Have students take turns standing in the spaces to represent 10 counters. Read a subtraction story problem aloud and have students act the problem out, using themselves as counters in the ten-frame. Have them all say the subtraction sentence aloud. You can also have them write it on a white board.

Act It Out-Dice Edition

For another way to play, have students line up in the ten-frame. Students will take turns rolling a large foam dice. Whatever number they land on is the number of students that will be taken away from the ten-frame. 

#4. Roll and Race

Roll and Race is a kid favorite subtraction activity for kindergarten. It brings an element of excitement and competition to your subtraction lessons that is highly motivating for kids. There are 30 no prep games included, 10 addition, 10 subtraction, and 10 mixed practice. 

Students will roll a dice and match the number to the column on their game board. They'll solve the first available problem, either coloring in or covering the space with a manipulative when they've solved it correctly. Students can play independently or with a partner to race to see who can fill a column up first. 

#5. Play Dough Smash

Just the name of this subtraction activity for kindergarten sounds like fun, doesn't it? To play this hands-on game, roll play dough into 10 small balls. This is great fine motor practice as well as size comparison practice for your students. Then, lay the play dough in a ten-frame pattern.

Write subtraction equations on a notecard or sticky note. Students will draw a problem and model it with their play dough by smashing the play dough balls they need to take away. After they've solved it, they can write their subtraction sentence on a white board and roll their play dough back into shape to play again.

#6. Know and Show

Know and Show is another hands-on subtraction activity for kindergarten to help them learn to solve equations and model them using a variety of strategies, including modeling with manipulatives, using a number line, using a ten-frame, and using number bonds.

Students will read the math sentence on the activity card and solve using the strategy shown on the addition or subtraction mat. Then, they'll show their answer using either dry-erase markers, magnetic numbers, number tiles, etc. There are 130 different addition and subtraction problem cards included for a ton of meaningful practice and differentiation. 

#7. Cookie Flip

Subtraction Cookie Flip is a math center treat your students will love. Using cardstock or foam circle cutouts, have your students decorate the circles to look like cookies. You can have students decorate 5 cookies each if you're playing in partners or 10 cookies each if playing independently.

To play, place 10 cookies on a cookie sheet. Students will roll the dice, flipping that number of cookies over with a flat spatula to model the subtraction problem. They can write the equation on a whiteboard for extra practice. If playing in partners, students will take turns rolling, flipping, and solving. 

Bonus: Addition and Subtraction to 10 Bundle

If you're loving the subtraction activities for kindergarten included in this blog post, you can check out all 9 games, activity mats, and worksheets included in this low prep, highly engaging addition and subtraction to 10 bundle. The activities included are perfect for learning all year long. 

Your students will have their brains trained for subtraction and be mastering the art of “take away” in no time. I hope you and your students have a blast with these subtraction activities for kindergarten!