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Maths Adventures

Treehouse maths quest: addition

A story-led junior maths adventure using ladders, plans and height measurements to combine treasures, supplies and scores without losing track.

Quick answer

Adding numbers together helps you find the total when you have groups of things or scores that you want to combine.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to add numbers together to find totals, whether you're counting treasures, supplies, or scores in your Treehouse maths quest. Success signs:
  • You can add two small numbers together to get a total
  • You can use objects or drawings to help you add
  • You can solve simple addition problems using a number line
  • You can add numbers in different ways, like counting on or using groups

Why this matters

Addition is one of the most important maths skills you'll learn! It helps you when you're playing games, sharing snacks, counting your toys, or even when you're planning your treehouse adventure. In your Treehouse maths quest, you'll need to add up all your treasures, supplies, and points to see how much you've collected. Addition is used everywhere - from checking how many cookies are left to working out how many friends can fit in your treehouse.

How it works

Addition means combining groups of things to find how many there are altogether. Here's how to do it step by step:
  1. Start with one group of objects or numbers
  2. Put another group next to it
  3. Count them all together to find the total
  4. Write down your answer
You can also use a number line to help you add. Start at the first number and move forward the amount of the second number.

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you're on your Treehouse maths quest and you find some treasures: Example 1: Counting treasures You find 3 golden coins and then 2 more golden coins. How many coins do you have in total?
  • Start with 3 coins
  • Add 2 more coins
  • Count them all together: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
  • You have 5 coins total
Example 2: Adding supplies You have 4 building blocks and your friend gives you 3 more blocks. How many blocks do you have now?
  • Start with 4 blocks
  • Add 3 more blocks
  • Count them all: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
  • You have 7 blocks total
Example 3: Using a number line To solve 5 + 3:
  • Start at 5 on the number line
  • Move forward 3 spaces
  • You land on 8
  • So 5 + 3 = 8

Try it as a mini adventure

Treehouse Maths Quest: The Treasure Hunt You're on a quest to find treasures in your treehouse. You've already collected some items and now you need to add them all together. Step 1: You found 2 red jewels. Step 2: You found 3 blue jewels. Step 3: You found 1 green jewel. Step 4: You found 4 silver coins. Step 5: You found 2 golden coins. How many jewels and coins do you have altogether? Solution:
  • First, add the jewels: 2 + 3 + 1 = 6 jewels
  • Then, add the coins: 4 + 2 = 6 coins
  • Finally, add the jewels and coins together: 6 + 6 = 12 treasures
Challenge: Can you add up all your treasures in different ways? Try adding the jewels first, then the coins, or try adding the coins first, then the jewels!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Counting the same item twice when adding
    Why it happens: It's easy to lose track when you're adding lots of things
    Fix: Use your fingers or draw a picture to help you keep track of what you've counted
  • Mistake: Forgetting to count one group when adding
    Why it happens: When you're excited about finding treasures, you might skip counting one part
    Fix: Count each group carefully and write down the numbers to make sure you don't miss any
  • Mistake: Adding the wrong numbers together
    Why it happens: Sometimes it's hard to see what numbers to add when they're written in a sentence
    Fix: Read the problem slowly and underline the numbers you need to add

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Using everyday situations to practice addition, like counting toys or snacks
  • Encouraging children to use their fingers or draw pictures when adding
  • Playing simple addition games during car rides or walks
  • Letting children explain how they solved a problem - this helps them think about their thinking
  • Not worrying if they make mistakes - they're learning!
What to say:
  • "Let's count how many blocks we have together"
  • "Can you show me how you added those numbers?"
  • "I see you used your fingers to help - that's a great strategy!"
What not to worry about:
  • Children might count slowly at first - that's normal
  • Mistakes are part of learning - they help us grow
  • Some children might need to use objects or drawings to understand

Practice questions

  1. What is 2 + 3?
  2. What is 4 + 1?
  3. What is 5 + 2?
  4. What is 3 + 4?
  5. What is 6 + 2?
  6. What is 1 + 7?
  7. What is 0 + 5?
  8. What is 8 + 1?
  9. What is 2 + 6?
  10. What is 3 + 5?
Answers:
  1. 5
  2. 5
  3. 7
  4. 7
  5. 8
  6. 8
  7. 5
  8. 9
  9. 8
  10. 8

FAQ

What is addition?

Addition is when you combine groups of things to find how many there are altogether. You can add numbers together or add objects like toys or snacks.

Why do I need to learn addition?

Addition helps you count things, solve problems, and understand how many of something you have. It's used in games, cooking, shopping, and many other everyday activities.

How can I practice addition at home?

You can practice by counting your toys, adding snacks, counting steps while walking, or playing games that involve adding numbers. Try asking "How many fingers are up?" or "How many cookies are left?" to practice.

What if I find addition hard?

That's okay! You can use your fingers, draw pictures, or count on a number line. Everyone learns at their own pace, and practice makes progress.

Can I add more than two numbers together?

Yes! You can add as many numbers as you want. For example, 2 + 3 + 1 = 6. You just keep adding them one by one.