Subtract a Number with Pets — Kindergarten

Each problem shows one group to count and one number to take from it: a set of cats, dogs and a rabbit, a minus sign, a written numeral, and an empty answer. The child finds how many pets are left by counting the pictures and then subtracting the number, counting back from the total. Because amounts stay within ten, the answer is always reachable by counting rather than by recalling a fact, and the page quietly links a pile of pictures to the figure that means the same amount.

Reading the amount to remove as a numeral, while the starting group stays a set of pets the child counts, keeps subtraction meaningful without keeping it forever in crossing-out. It is the gentlest introduction to written numbers in take-away — the pictures stay countable, the totals stay small, and the child learns the figure names the same amount they could have struck through.

Children who enjoy pets settle into this quickly once crossing-out feels easy, and it suits a calm independent task. When this feels easy, take some away in subtract a number with post office, or try subtract a number with tools. You can also browse every subtraction worksheet or the whole pets collection for kindergarten — each sheet prints cleanly in black and white or plays online for free.