Math Games for 6 Year Olds to Learn Adding and Subtracting
Six is when math starts to become more than counting. Most six year olds are in first grade, where they begin to add, subtract and see how numbers fit together. It is also the age when some children first decide math is hard, so keeping it playful matters.
Math games help children build a real feel for numbers before they tackle worksheets. This guide covers math games for 6 year olds that practice counting, number bonds, adding and subtracting, and comparing numbers, plus simple ways to bring math into everyday life.
What 6 year olds learn in math
In first grade, children usually work on these skills.
- Counting forward and backward, and counting objects accurately.
- Adding and subtracting within 20.
- Number bonds, the pairs of numbers that make a total, especially 10.
- Tens and ones, such as knowing that 14 is one ten and four ones.
- Comparing numbers, using bigger, smaller and equal.
Games that practice these skills turn them into something children enjoy.
Start with counting you can see
Before children add, they need to understand what numbers mean. Many can recite numbers to twenty but still skip or double count when they point at objects.
Games that show groups of objects help. When a child sees four apples and three oranges come together, they can see what 4 plus 3 means.
The counting game shows friendly objects to count and asks children to tap the matching number. There is no timer, so children can count carefully.
At home, count everything: stairs, spoons, cars on a walk. Touch each object as you count, and say the final number again at the end.
Number bonds make adding easier
A number bond is two numbers that make a whole. The pairs that make ten are especially useful: 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6, and 5 and 5.
When a child knows these pairs by heart, lots of math gets easier. They can add without counting on their fingers, and they can see that if 8 and 2 make 10, then 10 minus 2 is 8.
The number bonds game turns this into a quick game of finding pairs that add up to the target.
Number bond games at home
- Hidden fingers. Hold up ten fingers, hide some behind your back and ask how many are hidden.
- Ten in a cup. Put ten small objects in a cup, pour some out and ask how many are left inside.
- Make ten with cards. Using playing cards from ace to nine, find pairs that make ten.
Practice on paper too
A worksheet can be a good partner to games, as long as it is short. After playing a game, a few problems on paper help children practice writing numbers and number sentences.
Our addition to 10 worksheet prints a fresh set of problems each time, so you can use it again and again.
Keep paper practice brief. Ten problems is plenty for a six year old.
Quick math games for speed
Once children understand adding and subtracting, a little speed practice builds confidence. The key at this age is to compete only against yourself.
In the quick math game, children solve as many simple sums as they can before time runs out. Encourage them to beat their own last score.
Keep the mood light. If a score goes down, another try is only a click away.
Comparing numbers
Knowing which number is bigger helps with place value and estimating. It is the first step to understanding why 41 is more than 14.
The greater or less game asks children to pick the bigger number or group. Clear visuals make it easy to see the difference.
Try estimating games at home, too. Ask “Do you think there are more than ten or fewer than ten grapes in the bowl?” Then count to check.
Keeping math fun and stress free
How children feel about math early on can shape how they feel about it later. A few simple habits help.
- Keep practice short. Ten happy minutes beat an hour of tears.
- Stop while it is fun. End on a success so your child wants to play again.
- Treat mistakes as clues. Ask “How did you get that?” and work it out together.
- Praise the thinking. “You counted on from 7, great idea” means more than “Good job.”
- Never compare with siblings or classmates. Every child learns at their own pace.
Signs your child is ready for more
Watch for these signs before moving on to harder math.
- They answer sums within 10 without counting on their fingers.
- They can tell you the number bonds to 10 quickly.
- They can explain how they worked something out.
- They ask for harder problems.
When you see these signs, move on to adding within 20, then to tens and ones. If your child starts to struggle, step back to easier problems for a few days. There is no rush.
Math in everyday life
The best math practice often happens away from any screen.
- In the kitchen. Count out carrots, share apple slices fairly between two plates, or measure half a cup.
- At the store. Count items into the cart and find the bigger or smaller box.
- On a walk. Count red cars, or look for numbers on houses and signs.
- Playing games. Board games with dice practice counting and adding in every turn.
When children see math everywhere, it stops feeling like a school subject and starts feeling useful.
A simple week of math play
You do not need a big plan. A little variety each day keeps practice fresh.
- Monday. Count and compare groups of toys.
- Tuesday. Play a number bonds game for ten minutes.
- Wednesday. Try a quick math round and beat your last score.
- Thursday. Do kitchen math while you make a snack.
- Friday. Play a family board game with dice.
Where to find more
For a wider set of math games, from counting to times tables, see our guide to math games for kids.
For a full picture of first grade learning in reading, math and memory, read our guide to learning games for 6 year olds.
To balance math with reading practice, try our guide to word games for 6 year olds.
For math practice across all elementary grades, visit the math practice for kids hub.