Little Math Stories Addition and Subtraction Worksheet

Six-year-olds can count confidently and still stall when the question is tucked inside a little story. This printable keeps the page small: three math stories about apples, rabbits, and flowers. Together, you read what happens, decide whether the amount goes up or down, and write the answer to each question.

It is a good fit when a child can count small groups and is starting to understand that “more” means joining and “away” means taking from a group. The numbers stay within 10, so fingers, pennies, buttons, or small toys work well as counters. Read the first sentence, build that starting amount, then act out Sam adding apples, rabbits hopping away, or Mia putting in more flowers.

The first and third stories practice addition by joining two groups: 2 apples and 8 more apples, then 5 flowers and 4 more flowers. The rabbit story practices subtraction by starting with 5 rabbits and taking 3 away. This mix helps a child slow down, listen to the action in the sentence, and connect the story to the answer instead of grabbing the last number they heard.

Sit beside your child and ask, “Did the group get bigger or smaller?” before any counting starts. If the apples problem feels smooth, the make ten number bonds worksheet gives extra practice with combinations that make 10. For another round of reading short math situations, try another addition and subtraction math stories worksheet next.