Cover Up! Subtraction Activities for Kindergarten

Who wants CANDY?! Pose that question to a room full of Kindergartners and you’re bound to get unanimity. These subtraction activities for kindergarten with a fun candy theme are a fantastic way to explore a new math concept. Using Google Slides and Seesaw is an exciting way to engage kids in math time!

When you get kids thinking about something they all understand (candy), and something they all have had to do at some point (share), you lay the foundation for teaching and learning a foreign concept (subtraction).

And, a little bribery never hurts (Sorry, I meant to say a sweet reward after a job well done).

This candy-themed slide show will surely pique the interest of young learners. Cover Up! Subtraction Activities for Kindergarten is ready-made subtraction practice for numbers 1-10 at your fingertips.

Each slide contains one target number and six subtraction problems. Students must figure out which problems match the target number.

Then, little fingers will gain strength and dexterity as they drag cubes over to cover up all of the possible answers. There are three correct answers on each slide.

This activity for Google Slides or Seesaw is truly a sweet way to hone those subtraction skills.

How to Teach Subtraction

In Kindergarten, we often introduce subtraction later in the year after the students have had experiences with counting, number recognition, hands on addition, ten frames, and other math skills like shapes and measurement.

However, teaching addition and subtraction simultaneously lets students compare and contrast the two to form deeper understandings.

I recommend implementing fun subtraction activities for Kindergarten as early as possible. When teaching addition facts, note that subtraction facts are just the opposite.

Turn addition games into subtraction games by posing the question: What if we start with the sum and then take away one of these numbers? How many do we have left? Are the numbers the same but in a different order?

Kids love to be able to touch and move objects when working with math facts. Hands on subtraction activities are a great way for young learners to firmly understand what it means to subtract.

Hands on activities let children see a group of objects getting smaller as objects are taken away, or subtracted. It is a concrete, visual way to learn math while learning to add and subtract.

Math centers should include plenty of manipulatives, number lines and charts, ten frames, and math games so children can explore subtraction at their own pace.

Any games or activities for Kindergartners to practice subtraction should be fun, interactive, and interesting. The best way to understand an abstract concept like subtraction is to make it real for young learners.

How to Use Cover Up! Subtraction Activities for Kindergarten

Click on the link below. Then, choose which version you want: Google Slides or Seesaw. When you clink on the link, it will open in the appropriate app and you’re good to go.

Remember to click the blue button that pops up, “Make a Copy.” When the interactive subtraction activity opens in Slides, click on a cube to highlight it in blue and drag it when the cursor resembles a plus sign with an arrow on each end.

*In Google Slides, you must be in ‘Edit’ mode as opposed to ‘Present’ mode in order to manipulate the objects on the slide.

In Seesaw, use the Text tool (click on the large T) to be able to highlight each cube to move it. 

Using Manipulatives with the Slides

Some learners might need the support of hands on manipulatives in order to complete the slides.

Support children to build the math facts listed on each page with buttons, mini erasers, cubes, counters, coins, or something else.

Once they determine the answer to the subtraction problem, make a note to refer to later when they are ready to drag the cubes.