Little Math Stories Addition and Subtraction Worksheet

Story problems can trip kids up because they have to slow down, read, and decide what the numbers mean. This page keeps the work small and clear with three little math stories: 6 rabbits with 9 more hopping in, 14 frogs with 3 jumping away, and 3 apples with 5 more added. The child reads each situation, notices what changes, and answers the question at the end.

This is a good fit for a first grader who can count within 15 and is starting to connect words like more, adds, away, and left with math actions. If reading the sentences takes too much energy, you can read them aloud while the child focuses on the math. That still gives solid practice with addition and subtraction because the key work is understanding the story and finding the result.

The practice works by linking each action in the sentence to a math choice. Rabbits hop in, so the amounts are combined. Frogs jump away, so part of the group is taken away. Apples are added, so the total grows. For the rabbit problem with 6 and 9, the make ten number bonds worksheet can help with a useful counting strategy before coming back to the story.

Sit nearby and ask, “What happened first?” then “Did more come, or did some go away?” Let the child use fingers, small counters, or quick dots on scrap paper if needed. After finishing, have them retell one problem in their own words, then try another little math stories addition and subtraction page for more practice with the same read, think, solve routine.