11 Addition and Subtraction Puzzles for Preschoolers to Grade 2

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Puzzles are not intimidating for children. That is why I looked for puzzles that can make addition and subtraction exciting and enjoyable for them.

I found 11 self-checking puzzles that are good for preschoolers to second graders and divided them into:

• 4 Addition puzzles
• 7 Addition and Subtraction puzzles.

Addition and Subtraction Puzzles Comparison Table

I prepared this table to show you each set’s age recommendation and player count.

Game	Scope	Age	Players	For	Price	Rating
Addition Match Ups	Addition	4-6	1-2	Teachers	$$	★★★☆☆
Easy Addition Fun to Know Puzzles	Addition	3-6	1-2	Teachers	$$	★★★☆☆
Match it! Add it Up	Addition	3-6	1-2	Families, Teachers	$$	★★★☆☆
Kites and Tails Puzzle Sets	Addition	4-6	1-2	Teachers	$$$$	★★★★☆
Match it! Mathematics	Addition and Subtraction	3-5	1-4	Families, Teachers	$	★★★☆☆
Snap Math-Addition and Subtraction Puzzle	Addition and Subtraction	6-7	1-4	Teachers	$$	★★★☆☆
Equivalent Operation Puzzles	Addition and Subtraction	7-8	1-4	Teachers	$$	★★★★☆
Equation Matchups	Addition and Subtraction	5-6	1-4	Teachers	$$	★★★☆☆
Operations Equivalency Puzzles	Addition and Subtraction	6-7	1-2	Teachers	$$	★★☆☆☆
Learning Puzzles: Addition and Subtraction	Addition and Subtraction	5-6	1-2	Teachers	$$	★★★☆☆
Word Problems Matchups	Addition and Subtraction	5-7	1-4	Teachers	$$	★★★☆☆

4 Addition Puzzles for Preschoolers & Primary School

Addition Match Ups (Lakeshore Learning)

★★★☆☆

For Teachers | Age 4-6| 1-2 Students

Children learn addition facts from 2 to 10 as they match the problem with the answer in Addition Match Ups. This set also features 20 self-correcting two-piece puzzles with cute illustrations.

Main advantage:

• Children learn the different addends that have the same sum (e.g., 3+1 and 2+2 puzzles fit nicely to the number 4 piece)

I recommend using Addition Match Ups for independent play or math center review since there are only a few pieces to practice.

Easy Addition Fun-to-Know Puzzles (Trend Enterprises)

★★★☆☆

For Teachers | Age 3-6 | 1-2 Students

Easy Addition Fun-to-Know Puzzles help children build addition skills in two ways:

• Solve addition problems by counting the pictures on the front side (good for 3-4 years old)
• Learn addition equations using numbers on the other side (suitable for 4-6 years old)

Children need to put together three puzzle pieces to complete the addition equation.

I am giving this game three stars because it has low replayability, as it has 15 different equations. But I still recommend it for a smooth transition from pictures to numerals, making addition not overwhelming for PreK to first graders.

Match it! Add it Up (Learning Journey International)

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers| Age 4-6 | 1-2 Students

Match it! Add it Up contains 30 puzzle pairs where beautiful pictures instead of numbers represent the addition problem.

Children must match the illustrated pieces to the number pieces. The pieces are self-correcting, so children aged 4-6 to play can play independently.

Kites and Tails Puzzle Set- Decomposing Numbers to 10 (Really Good Stuff)

★★★★☆

For Teachers | Age 4-6 | 1-2 Students 

Kites and Tails Puzzle Set- Decomposing Numbers to 10 consists of 10 chipboard kites numbered 1-10 and 65 chipboard ties that contain the addition problems.

Children choose a kite with a number on it. Then, they form the kite tail by attaching the ties that contain the addition facts that match the kite number. And to check if they made the correct matches, they could turn over the kite as soon it is completed

I recommend Kites and Tails Puzzle Set- Decomposing Numbers to 10 because children aged 4-6 will learn the addition facts 1-10 faster than other addition-themed puzzles.

7 Addition and Subtraction Puzzles for Preschoolers & Primary School

Match It! Mathematics (Total Toys)

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers | Age: 3-5 | 1-4 Players

Match it! Mathematics features ten puzzles for each skill: counting, adding, and subtracting numbers.

This game is suitable for children aged 3-5 years old because

• the numbers are not overwhelming,
• the illustrations are colorful and attractive
• the puzzles fit nicely

These puzzles deserve three stars because

• The puzzles are sturdy and easy to use
• Children can manage difficulty by concentrating on each math skill one at a time.

The major setback of this puzzle set is that there are only a few items for practice.

Snap Math- Addition and Subtraction Puzzle (EAI Education)

★★★☆☆

For Teachers | Age: 6-7 | 1-4 Students

Children complete a four-piece puzzle set in Snap Math- Addition and Subtraction  composed of:

• The sum or difference (starter card)
• An addition or subtraction problem represented in numbers
• Addition or subtraction of facts with numbers and ten frame
• Addition or subtraction problem with a number line

I like this set because:

• The 48 brightly bordered puzzle pieces are self-correcting
• children learn addition and subtraction using different visual representations.

Although this set can accommodate up to 4 students, I recommend using it in pairs or cooperative play.        

Equivalent Operation Puzzles- Addition and Subtraction (Rainbow Resource)

★★★★☆

For Teachers | Age: 7-8 | 1-4 Players

Equivalent Operation Puzzles – Addition and Subtraction features a 7-piece hexagon-shaped puzzle set.

Children choose a center hexagon piece numbered 1-20. Then, they find and attach the corresponding addition or subtraction facts trapezoid pieces that match the centerpiece.

I like Equivalent Operation Puzzles – Addition and Subtraction because children can concentrate on the set they need to practice. It also has:

• 140 pieces are color-coded: orange set numbered 1-10 and blue set- numbered 11-20
• The math problems are shown in numbers and words
• 40 interchangeable pieces contain French words

I recommend playing this set with first and second graders because it offers plenty of practice to master addition and subtraction facts within 20.

Equation Matchups (Lakeshore Learning)

★★★☆☆

For Teachers | Age: 5-6 | 1-4 Players

Children match 30 two-piece puzzles in Equation Matchups. Players fit the number equations to their illustrated version, which may be a number line or colorful frames.

This set is suitable for beginners because they can compare the numbers with the visual models. It can also be played without adult supervision since the puzzles are self-correcting.

Operations Equivalency Puzzles (Lakeshore Learning)

★★☆☆☆

For Teachers | Age: 6-7 | 1-2 Players

Operations Equivalency Puzzles is a 4-piece puzzle set where players connect three addition or subtraction equations to a puzzle piece that expresses the same answer. And the answers could be a one- or two-digit number.

Although this set has 12 puzzles only, I recommend using this set with first graders because they will learn the connection of the three sets of addition or subtraction facts to a specific value.

Learning Puzzles: Addition and Subtraction (Scholastic)

★★★☆☆

For Teachers | Age: 5-6 | 1-2 Players

In Learning Puzzles: Addition and Subtraction, players match 4 puzzle pieces to the value expressed in the centerpiece.

I like this 5-piece puzzle set because children can learn right away the sets of numbers that have the same sum or difference. There are 20 self-checking puzzles that children from kindergarten to grade 1 can try.

Although this set offers little practice, it is well-designed and easy to use.

Word Problems Matchups (Lakeshore Learning)

★★★☆☆

For Teachers | Age: 5-7 | 1-4 Players

Word Problems Matchups contain addition and subtraction word problems that can be solved by children from kindergarten to grade 1.

This set has 30 two-piece self-correcting puzzles. One side has the word problem, while the other side contains equations and corresponding illustrations.

I find this game more useful for children in grade 1 since they can read the word problems and compare them with the picture. But it can also be used by younger students with adult supervision.

Other Types of Addition and Subtraction Games

For more addition and subtraction games, you might want to read my other posts:  

• 14 Addition Card Games for Families and Schools 
• 15 Addition and Subtraction Card Games for PreK to 5^th Graders
• 13 Addition and Subtraction Board Games for PreK to Grade 3

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