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Khan Academy Kids Maths

Khan Academy Kids addition stories maths mission

A practical mini-mission using addition stories to practise addition through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.

Quick answer

You can use addition stories to solve maths problems by imagining real-life situations where things are added together.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to solve addition problems by thinking of real-life stories and using pictures or objects to help you count. Success signs:
  • You can make up a story for a maths problem
  • You can use objects or drawings to show how to add
  • You can solve simple addition sums with numbers up to 20
  • You can explain how you solved a problem to someone else

Why this matters

Addition stories help you understand what addition really means. When you hear a story about adding things together, it makes the maths feel real and not just numbers on a page. This skill will help you solve problems in your daily life, like sharing snacks, counting toys, or working out how many people are at a party. It also helps you get ready for more advanced maths like word problems and mental maths.

How it works

Addition stories use everyday situations to show how numbers can be added together. You can think of it like:
  1. First, imagine a story with things you like
  2. Then, count how many there are at first
  3. Next, count how many more are added
  4. Finally, count all the things together to find the answer

Examples you can see

Let's look at some examples of addition stories: Example 1: You have 3 toy cars. Your friend gives you 2 more toy cars. How many toy cars do you have now?
  • Story: You start with 3 cars
  • Then: You get 2 more cars
  • Count all: 3 + 2 = 5 cars
Example 2: There are 4 birds on a tree. 3 more birds fly to the tree. How many birds are there now?
  • Story: There are 4 birds
  • Then: 3 more birds join
  • Count all: 4 + 3 = 7 birds
Example 3: You have 5 stickers. You get 4 more stickers from your teacher. How many stickers do you have now?
  • Story: You start with 5 stickers
  • Then: You get 4 more
  • Count all: 5 + 4 = 9 stickers

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Magic Garden You are a gardener in a magical garden where flowers grow in special ways. Every morning, you count the flowers in your garden. Here's your daily task:
  1. First time: You have 3 red flowers. Then, 2 more red flowers grow. How many red flowers do you have?
  2. Second time: You have 5 yellow flowers. Then, 3 more yellow flowers grow. How many yellow flowers do you have?
  3. Third time: You have 6 blue flowers. Then, 4 more blue flowers grow. How many blue flowers do you have?
  4. Fourth time: You have 7 green flowers. Then, 1 more green flower grows. How many green flowers do you have?
  5. Fifth time: You have 2 purple flowers. Then, 5 more purple flowers grow. How many purple flowers do you have?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Counting the same flower twice when adding.
    Why it happens: It's easy to get confused when counting lots of things.
    Fix: Use your fingers or draw one circle for each flower to keep track.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to count the first group when adding.
    Why it happens: Kids sometimes focus only on the new things and forget the original amount.
    Fix: Say the first number out loud before adding the second number.
  • Mistake: Thinking that adding makes numbers smaller.
    Why it happens: Children sometimes confuse addition with subtraction.
    Fix: Remember that when you add, you always get more, not less.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Asking your child to make up their own addition stories using toys, food, or pets
  • Using real-life situations like shopping, cooking, or walking to school
  • Letting your child draw pictures to show how they solved the problem
  • Practising counting aloud together, especially with numbers that are hard to remember
  • Encouraging your child to explain their thinking, even if the answer is wrong
What to watch for:
  • Does your child count carefully without skipping or repeating?
  • Can they explain what the story means?
  • Do they understand that addition means "more"?
How to support without pressure:
  • Keep it fun and short (5-10 minutes)
  • Use games or apps like Khan Academy Kids to make it engaging
  • Give praise for trying, not just getting the right answer
  • Ask questions like "How did you figure that out?" instead of "Is that right?"

Practice questions

  1. There are 2 apples on the table. You add 3 more apples. How many apples are there now? Answer: 5
  2. You have 4 toy blocks. Your brother gives you 2 more blocks. How many blocks do you have now? Answer: 6
  3. There are 5 butterflies in the garden. 2 more butterflies fly in. How many butterflies are there now? Answer: 7
  4. You have 6 crayons. You get 3 more crayons. How many crayons do you have now? Answer: 9
  5. There are 3 cats sleeping. 4 more cats join them. How many cats are there now? Answer: 7

FAQ

What is an addition story?

An addition story is a simple real-life situation where you start with some things, then more things are added, and you need to count all the things together.

Why do we use stories to learn addition?

Stories help us understand what addition really means. They make numbers feel real and connected to our everyday lives.

Can I use addition stories for big numbers?

Yes! You can make stories for any numbers. Even 10 + 5 or 15 + 8 can be stories about toys, animals, or snacks.

How can I make my own addition story?

Think of something you like: toys, pets, food, or games. Then imagine some of them come together or get more. For example, "I have 3 toy cars. My friend gives me 2 more."

What if I get confused with the numbers?

That's okay! You can use objects like blocks or counters to help you count. You can also draw pictures or use your fingers to keep track.