Subtraction Games for Kids

What Is Subtraction?

Subtraction is a math operation to find the difference between two numbers. It's like taking away or removing something. For example, if you have 8 apples and you eat 3, subtraction helps you know you have 8 - 3 = 5 apples left.

Subtraction means you are taking away something from a number of things or a group of things. A subtraction equation looks like this:

 

• Minuend: Minuend is the number you start with (the number from which we subtract another number)
• Subtrahend: Subtrahend is what you take away (the number being subtracted)
• Difference: Difference is the result you get after subtracting.

What Are Subtraction Sentences and Subtraction Facts?

Subtraction Sentences: 

Subtraction sentences are mathematical statements that show the process of taking away one quantity from another, along with the final result (difference). For example, "5 apples - 2 apples = 3 apples" is a subtraction sentence, where the minuend is 5, the subtrahend is 2, and the difference is 3.

Explore these simple Subtraction Sentences Games to strengthen the concept!

Subtraction Facts: 

Subtraction facts are basic calculations that involve finding the difference between two numbers. These are memorized math facts that help solve subtraction problems quickly. 

Example: Here are some example of subtraction Facts of 1

1 - 1 = 0, 2 - 1 = 1, 3 - 1 = 2, 4 - 1 = 3, 5 - 1 = 4, 6 - 1 = 5, etc.

Play Subtraction Facts Games for better understanding!

Learning Methodologies for Subtraction

Subtraction based on Counting Skills

• Subtracting with pictures: In this learning method, kids are presented with pictures of objects (like pictures of 5 apples). Kids use their counting skills to count the number of objects left after some objects are taken away. From learning subtraction within 5 to learning subtraction within 10, it enables the kids to perform subtraction using their fingers.

Check out Subtraction with Pictures Games for learning subtraction with fun activities.

• Subtraction Sentence: In this learning method, the kids are expected to write a subtraction equation for the given description.

Example:  If you take away 2 from 3, you get 1

Equation: 3 – 2 = 1

• Count back to subtract: In this learning method, kids count back on a number line to find the difference between two numbers. 

Example: Subtract 5 – 3. 

Start from 5. Move 3 units to the left. The answer is the number you end up at.
 

 

• The relationship between addition & subtraction: This learning method enables the student to understand subtraction as an unknown-addend problem. The kids are presented with two equations, an addition equation with unknown addend and a subtraction equation with unknown subtrahend or unknown minuend. The kids are expected to find this unknown number.

Example: Find the unknown number in the following equations.

5 – ? = 3

3 + ? = 5

The student needs to think of a number that should be subtracted from 5 to get 3 or a number that should be added to 3 to get 5.

• Subtraction using mental strategies (subtraction within 20): The students at this stage are expected to know from memory all sums of one digit numbers. This enables them to find the difference within 20 by applying their understanding of the relation between addition and subtraction.

 Example: Find 15 – 7.

We know that 8 + 7 = 15

So 15 – 7 = 8.

• Work with subtraction equations: In this learning method, the student determines the missing whole number in a subtraction equation.

Example: Find the unknown number in the equation 6 – ? = 2.

Subtraction based on Place Values

To perform subtraction with larger numbers, a strong grasp of place value is crucial. The rule of subtracting hundreds from hundreds, tens from tens, and ones from ones must be understood.

• Subtracting Multiples of 10: Visualize multiples of 10 as bundles of 10s. For instance, 80 – 60 involves subtracting 6 tens from 8 tens, giving 2 tens.
• Subtracting Multiples of 100: Visualize multiples of 100 as bundles of 100s. For instance, 700 – 400 entails subtracting 7 hundreds from 4 hundreds, yielding 3 hundreds.
• Subtraction without Regrouping: Leverage place value to solve. 

Example: 82 – 31 means subtracting 3 tens and 1 one from 8 tens and 2 ones

8 tens 2 ones – 3 tens 1 ones = 5 tens and 1 ones = 51

Try your hand at more such subtraction problems with Subtraction without Regrouping Games!

• Subtraction with Regrouping: Break hundreds into tens and tens into ones. For example, subtracting 125 from 752 involves regrouping.

Example:
 

 

1. Start with ones place: Since 8 ones cannot be subtracted from 7 ones. So, borrowing 1 ten = 10 ones from tens place makes  1 ten 7 ones = 17 ones and 2 tens – 1 ten = 1 ten.
   17  – 8 = 9
2. Move to tens place: Since 5 tens cannot be subtracted from 1 ten. So, borrowing 1 hundred = 10 tens from hundreds place makes 10 tens 1 ten = 11 tens and 5 hundred – 1 hundred = 4 hundred.
   11  – 5 = 6
3. Conclude with hundreds place: Finally, 5 hundred 2 tens and 7 ones become 4 hundreds 11 tens and 17 ones.
   4  – 1 = 3

Let’s see the complete calculation.

 

 

The above process illustrates subtraction with regrouping.

Practice more and more problems with Subtraction with Regrouping Games and master subtraction concepts with ease!

Fun Math Tools for Teaching Subtraction

1. Counters: Counters are one of the most useful math manipulatives in understanding base math. This method is particularly useful in understanding basic subtraction. It provides the student visual understanding of subtracting smaller numbers. This primitive step can set the foundation for learning subtraction as a simple mathematics process and further enhance their ability to subtract larger numbers as well. 

Example: To subtract 3 from 7, the student should place 7 counters on a table, take away 3 from them and then count the remaining number of counters to find the difference.

 

 

Counters can be effectively used for performing subtraction within 20. Using counters to solve subtraction problems involving bigger numbers can make it cumbersome and time-consuming. The following methods can help resolve this limitation of the counter method.

Here’s a simple subtraction game online - Subtraction with Counters Game! Check it out for fun math practice!

2. Base Ten Blocks: The base ten blocks represent the model of the base ten number system. The smallest cube is called 1 unit. Each rod consists of 10 such cubes and is called 1 ten or 10 ones. The flat square consists of 10 such rods and is called 1 hundred or 10 tens or 100 ones. The block consists of 10 flat squares and each square has 100 ones, therefore each block is called 1 thousand or 10 hundreds or 100 tens or 1000 ones.
 

 

The base 10 blocks make understanding of subtraction with regrouping really easy. It involves trading some of the bigger blocks with blocks of smaller value.

Example: Subtract 29 from 87.

Trade 1 ten from 8 tens with 10 ones. Now, 8 tens 7 ones becomes 7 tens 17 ones.

Subtracting 2 tens 9 ones from 7 tens 17 ones gives 5 tens 8 ones.

So, it gives 87 – 29 = 58.

Take a look at this Subtract using Base-10 Blocks Game for better understanding!

Progression of Subtraction Concepts with Grades
 

Grade	Subtraction Concepts
Pre-K	Understand subtraction as taking apart and taking away from. Concept of finding one less  Subtract using pictures, counters, etc. Use concrete objects to model real-world subtraction problems up through five.
Kindergarten	Introduce subtraction through pictures, counting skills, and converting sentences to equations.  Subtraction within 10.
Grade 1	Counting back on the number line Understanding addition-subtraction relationship, Subtracting within 10 Subtracting multiples of 10.
Grade 2	Fluent subtraction within 20 Subtracting 1-digit from 3-digit, 2-digit from 3-digit, 3-digit from 3-digit Regrouping within 1000.
Grade 3	Two-digit subtraction with regrouping Multi-digit subtraction with and without regrouping using place value knowledge.
Grade 4	Subtraction of fractions with practice and strategies.
Grade 5	Subtraction of decimals with deep understanding and application of techniques.

 

How Can Children Use Subtraction in Real Life?

 

• Shopping: Calculate change when buying items to ensure the correct amount is given back.
• Time Management: Determine the time left for an activity by subtracting the current time from the end time. Figure out how much time is needed to complete homework by subtracting the time already spent from the total time available.
• Cooking: Adjust recipe ingredients by subtracting the available amount from the required amount.
• Saving Money: Subtract the amount spent from the allowance to keep track of savings.
• Sports Scores: Calculate the points needed to win by subtracting the opponent's score from the team's score.
• Travel Distance: Find the remaining distance to a destination by subtracting the distance covered from the total distance.

Importance of Introducing Subtraction to Kids through Games

• Engagement and Interest: Subtraction math games captivate kids' attention by using visual elements, which help in the better comprehension of challenging concepts like regrouping through interactive and dynamic visuals.
• Visual Representation: Subtraction interactive games employ visual aids to illustrate subtraction concepts such as using a number line to subtract, making abstract ideas easier to grasp.
• Personalized Learning: Subtraction games online adapt difficulty levels based on a child's progress, enhancing their grasp of concepts like borrowing and carrying through tailored challenges that utilize visual cues.
• Immediate Feedback: Games offer instant feedback, reinforcing correct techniques for concepts like subtracting across zeros, enabling rapid adjustments and improvement through visual reinforcement.

Subtraction Math Games vs. Traditional Methods

Kids can master subtraction through engaging subtraction fluency games. Incorporating subtraction concepts into interactive games not only boosts engagement but also enhances understanding through visual aids, adaptive learning, and instant feedback.

• Regrouping Made Engaging: Subtraction games seamlessly introduce regrouping by breaking down the process into interactive steps. Unlike traditional methods, where borrowing can be confusing, games visually guide kids through regrouping, ensuring a stronger grasp.
• Visual Learning with Number Lines: Online games make use of number lines to teach subtraction. This visual aid helps kids understand the process of subtracting or taking away; and provides a clear representation of the gap between numbers. Traditional methods might lack this dynamic visual approach.
• Adaptive Challenges: Subtraction games for kids adapt to each child's level, offering challenges that match their skills. Every child learns in a different way. Traditional methods often follow a fixed curriculum pace, leaving struggling students behind or boring advanced learners. Games keep kids engaged while targeting their specific needs.
• Instant Feedback and Motivation: Online math games that offer instant feedback, promote immediate correction and improvement. This helps to create a positive learning experience. Traditional methods might lack this immediate feedback, slowing down the learning process and reducing motivation.

What Are the 5 Best Subtraction Games and Activities for Kids?

Here are a few online fun Subtraction games by SplashLearn:

• Determine One Less Game
• Find the Difference Using Models Game
• Subtract 2-digit Numbers by Regrouping Game
• Make the Subtraction Sentence Game
• Subtract using Pictures Game