Educational Maths Games
Khan Academy Kids maths: addition stories
Use age-appropriate, adult-approved play examples to turn small sums into story problems.
Quick answer
Addition stories help children learn addition by turning numbers into fun, real-life situations they can imagine or act out. Instead of just seeing "3 + 2 =", you might hear "I have 3 apples, and my friend gives me 2 more. How many apples do I have now?"Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to solve addition problems by creating and solving your own stories with numbers. Success signs:- You can make up a story with two groups of things that add together.
- You can solve your own addition story by counting or using objects.
- You can explain how your story shows addition.
- You can work with a friend or grown-up to make more addition stories.
Why this matters
Addition stories help children understand what addition really means in everyday life. When you play games, share snacks, or count toys, you are using addition. By making up stories, you learn how numbers work and how to solve problems. This builds your confidence in maths and helps you use numbers in real life. It also makes maths fun and creative!How it works
Making addition stories is like being a detective or a storyteller. You start with two groups of things, and then you add them together to find the total. Here’s how:- Think of two groups of things you like or see around you.
- Decide how many are in each group.
- Ask a question like "How many are there altogether?"
- Solve it by counting or using objects.
- Share your story with a friend or grown-up.
Examples you can see
Let’s look at some addition stories you can imagine or act out. Story 1: The Toy Box You have 4 toy cars in your box. Your sister gives you 3 more toy cars. How many toy cars do you have now? Story 2: The Cookie Jar There are 5 cookies on the plate. You eat 2 cookies. How many cookies are left? Story 3: The Pet Shop In the pet shop, there are 6 goldfish in one tank and 4 goldfish in another tank. How many goldfish are there in total? Story 4: The Garden You plant 3 flowers in the morning and 5 flowers in the afternoon. How many flowers did you plant altogether? Story 5: The Library You have 7 books on your shelf. Your friend brings you 2 more books. How many books do you have now?Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Treasure Hunt You are on a treasure hunt! You start with 5 coins. Then you find 3 more coins. How many coins do you have now? 4th time: You find a chest with 6 more coins inside. How many coins do you have now? 7th time: You give 2 coins to your friend. How many coins do you have left? Challenge: Can you make up your own treasure hunt story with 3 steps?Common mistakes
- Mistake: Adding the numbers wrong.
Why it happens: When we count, we might skip or repeat numbers.
Fix: Count carefully and use your fingers or objects to help. - Mistake: Forgetting to ask a question.
Why it happens: Sometimes we get excited and forget to think about what we're solving.
Fix: Always ask "How many are there altogether?" or "How many are left?" - Mistake: Not using objects or pictures.
Why it happens: It can be hard to imagine numbers without something to see.
Fix: Use toys, blocks, or draw pictures to help. - Mistake: Mixing up addition and subtraction.
Why it happens: Sometimes we think of "more" as subtraction.
Fix: Ask "Are we putting things together or taking them away?"
Parent and carer guide
As a parent or carer, you can help by:- Encouraging your child to make up their own addition stories.
- Using everyday situations like shopping, cooking, or playing to talk about numbers.
- Letting them count out objects like toys or fruit to solve their stories.
- Reading stories together and pointing out numbers.
- Asking questions like "How many more?" or "How many are left?" to help them think.
- "Let’s make a story about how many cookies you have."
- "Can you show me with your hands how many you have?"
- "What happens if we add one more?"
- They might get the numbers wrong at first. That’s normal!
- They might not always finish their story. That’s okay too.
- They might want to tell the same story over and over. That’s how they learn!
Practice questions
- Story: You have 2 balloons. Your friend gives you 3 more. How many balloons do you have?
- Story: You have 5 crayons. You lose 2 crayons. How many crayons do you have left?
- Story: You have 4 toy blocks. You get 4 more. How many toy blocks do you have?
- Story: You have 6 stickers. You get 3 more. How many stickers do you have?
- Story: You have 3 toy cars. You get 5 more. How many toy cars do you have?
- 2 + 3 = 5
- 5 - 2 = 3
- 4 + 4 = 8
- 6 + 3 = 9
- 3 + 5 = 8
FAQ
What is an addition story?
An addition story is a fun way to show addition using a story about things you can count. For example, "I have 3 toys and my friend gives me 2 more. How many toys do I have now?"
Why do we use stories to learn addition?
Stories help us understand what addition means. They make numbers real and fun. When we use stories, we can imagine the problem and find the answer more easily.
Can I use any numbers in my story?
Yes! You can use any numbers you like. For example, you can use 1, 2, 5, 10, or even bigger numbers if you want.
What if I don’t know how to add?
That’s okay! You can count with your fingers or use toys to help. You can also ask a grown-up or a friend for help.
How can I make my own addition story?
Think of two groups of things. Then ask a question like "How many are there altogether?" and solve it by counting or using objects.