Subtraction games for kids, on screen and at home

Subtraction means taking away, comparing and figuring out what's missing. This page explains how young children tend to make sense of it, how our addition and subtraction game works, and simple games you can play at home with things you already have.

Ages 5 to 7 · Free, no sign-up

How children make sense of subtraction

To an adult, 7 − 3 is one thing. To a 5 or 6 year old it can mean several different situations, and it helps to meet all of them over time, with real objects in hand.

You don't need to name these ideas for your child. Just keep them in mind so you can mix up the questions when you play together.

Taking away: I had 7 crackers and ate 3. How many are left? This is the most natural starting point.
Comparing: you have 7 cars and I have 3. How many more do you have?
Counting back: from 7, say 6, 5, 4. Handy when the number taken away is small.
The missing part: there are 7 ducks and 3 are outside the box. How many are inside? Here subtraction looks like an addition with a gap.

Objects first, numbers later

Before writing 7 − 3 = 4, a child needs to see and touch it many times. Fingers, counters, blocks or buttons let them check the answer for themselves instead of waiting for someone to say it's right.

Once they can solve small take-away problems with objects, try drawing them: circles on paper that get crossed out. Written numbers come last, as a shorthand for something they already understand. Every child takes this path at their own pace, and going back to objects when something doesn't click is a normal part of it.

How subtraction works in our game

Our addition game is made for ages 5 to 7 and is free to play in the browser, no sign-up needed. It has 4 levels you choose from the game's menu: counting, adding, subtracting, and a mix of adding and subtracting.

The screen shows things to count, like apples, fish or stars. In a subtraction problem, the objects taken away are crossed out, so your child sees what's gone and can count what's left. The problem is read aloud, and a speaker button repeats it as often as needed. There's no timer during play; at the end, your child gets 1 to 3 stars.

Level 3: subtraction only, with numbers from 1 to 10 and never a negative answer.
Level 4: adding and subtracting mixed together, up to 20.
If your child is still working hard to count, start with the counting and adding levels.

Screen-free subtraction games

Some of the best subtraction practice happens at the kitchen table. These games are quick, use things you have at home and leave room for conversation.

The grape plate: put 6 grapes on a plate, count them together, then eat 2. How many are left? Then swap roles.
Under the cup: show 5 buttons, hide some under a cup and ask how many are hiding. Lift the cup to check.
The toy bus: 8 toys get on, and at every stop some get off. How many are still riding?
Homemade bowling: set up plastic bottles and count how many are still standing after each roll.
Countdown: count back from 10 to 0 together on the stairs or before heading out the door.

Common stumbling blocks and how to help

Mistakes in subtraction are normal, and they tell you a lot about how your child is thinking. Instead of correcting right away, ask how they got their answer. The explanation often shows exactly where the mix-up is.

Counting the starting number when counting back (7 take away 3: "7, 6, 5" and answers 5). Try it with objects: take one away and say 6, take another and say 5, take the last one and say 4.
Adding when they meant to subtract. Go back to the story: "Are the crackers going up or running out?"
Getting lost with bigger numbers. Return to numbers up to 5 or 10 with objects and build up slowly.
Getting frustrated. Stop, play something else and come back another day. A short, cheerful session does more than a long, tense one.

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Frequently asked questions

When do kids start learning subtraction?

Many children play at taking things away long before they see a written subtraction. Our addition game is made for ages 5 to 7, but there's no exact age: every child goes at their own pace, and understanding it with objects comes first.

How do I pick the subtraction level in the game?

From the game's menu. Level 3 is subtraction only, with numbers from 1 to 10 and no negative answers. Level 4 mixes adding and subtracting up to 20.

Is there a time limit?

No. There's no timer during play. At the end your child sees 1 to 3 stars and can play again as many times as they like.

My child can't read yet. Can they still play?

Yes. Each problem is read aloud and a speaker button repeats it. The objects on screen let your child count their way to the answer.

Should my child use fingers or do it in their head?

Fingers and objects are a perfectly good way to solve subtraction, especially at first. With practice, many kids stop needing them on their own. There's no need to ban them.

Is it free? Are there ads?

Yes, the game is free to play in the browser with no sign-up, and it has no ads.

By ABC Kids Learning