Kindergarten Subtraction Word Problems
Free printable kindergarten subtraction word problems with picture support — take some objects away and count how many are left. Three worksheet sets, each with an answer key.
1SubtractThere are 4 boxing gloves. Maya takes away 3 boxing gloves. How many boxing gloves are left?
Answer:
2CountCount the golf balls. How many golf balls are there?
Answer:
3SubtractThere are 8 chickens. Sam takes away 1 chicken. How many chickens are left?
Answer:
4CountCount the turtles. How many turtles are there?
Answer:
5SubtractThere are 5 chilis. Leo takes away 2 chilis. How many chilis are left?
Answer:
6CountCount the giraffes. How many giraffes are there?
Answer:
Answer Key — Set A
- 1. 1
- 2. 5
- 3. 7
- 4. 5
- 5. 3
- 6. 9
1SubtractThere are 7 basketballs. Lily takes away 3 basketballs. How many basketballs are left?
Answer:
2CountCount the soccer balls. How many soccer balls are there?
Answer:
3SubtractThere are 11 macarons. Noah takes away 2 macarons. How many macarons are left?
Answer:
4CountCount the boxing gloves. How many boxing gloves are there?
Answer:
5SubtractThere are 9 pumpkins. Noah takes away 7 pumpkins. How many pumpkins are left?
Answer:
6CountCount the peaches. How many peaches are there?
Answer:
Answer Key — Set B
- 1. 4
- 2. 3
- 3. 9
- 4. 8
- 5. 2
- 6. 11
1SubtractThere are 8 coconuts. Eli takes away 4 coconuts. How many coconuts are left?
Answer:
2CountCount the frogs. How many frogs are there?
Answer:
3SubtractThere are 14 sailboats. Sam takes away 12 sailboats. How many sailboats are left?
Answer:
4CountCount the monkeys. How many monkeys are there?
Answer:
5SubtractThere are 5 notebooks. Emma takes away 2 notebooks. How many notebooks are left?
Answer:
6CountCount the dolphins. How many dolphins are there?
Answer:
Answer Key — Set C
- 1. 4
- 2. 8
- 3. 2
- 4. 5
- 5. 3
- 6. 7
About These Kindergarten Subtraction Word Problems
These free kindergarten subtraction word problems show a group of objects with some marked as taken away, so children can subtract by counting the ones that remain. Each short sentence describes a simple take-away situation, and numbers stay within kindergarten ranges. Print for morning work or homework, or download the PDF. Answer keys are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do picture subtraction word problems work?
A group of objects is shown with some faded out to mean ‘taken away.’ The child counts the remaining objects to find how many are left.
Are these good for kindergarten?
Yes — numbers stay small enough that a child can count every object, and the picture supports pre-readers.