15 Addition and Subtraction Card Games for PreK to 5th Graders


16 Addition and Subtraction Card Games for PreK to 5th Graders

Teaching children to add and subtract from 0 to 1000 takes time. Here are some exciting card games that can help pre-kindergarten children improve these skills until they reach 5th grade.

This post consists of 15 beautifully illustrated card games that teach children to add or subtract numbers within

  • 10 like Jump 1 and I Sea 10!
  • 12 such as Sweet Sums
  • 20 for example, Jump 2
  • 100 like Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game Addition and Subtraction through 100
  • 1000 such as Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game Addition and Subtraction through 1000

Addition and Subtraction Card Games Comparison Table

This comparison table shows each card game’s age recommendation and player count. Notice that all of them are useful at home and in school.

GameScopeAgePlayersForPriceRating
I Sea 10!106+2-4Families, Teachers$★★★★☆
Jump 1105+2-4Families, Teachers$$★★★★☆
Pop for Addition and Subtraction Game106-82-4Teachers$$★★★★☆
Matchematics103-62-4Families, Teachers$$★★★☆☆
Math War Addition & Subtraction Game Cards (School Zone)105-72-4Families, Teachers$★★★☆☆
Math Splash War Addition and Subtraction Challenge Cards106+2-4Families, Teachers$★★★☆☆
Sweet Sums124-82-4Families, Teachers$$★★★★★
Visualize it! Part-Whole Addition and Subtraction Game205-72-4Teachers$$$★★★☆☆
Jump 2206+2-4Families, Teachers$$★★★★☆
Snap it Up! Math: Addition and Subtraction Card Game206+2-4Families, Teachers$$★★★☆☆
Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game Addition and Subtraction through 20204-82-4Teachers$$★★★☆☆
Ono 99997+2-10Families, Teachers$★★★☆☆
Lobo 77778+2-8Families, Teachers$★★★☆☆
Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game Addition and Subtraction through 1001006-82-4Teachers$$★★★☆☆
Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game Addition and Subtraction through 100010009-112-4Teachers$$★★★☆☆

Addition and Subtraction Card Games Within 10

I Sea 10! (Learning Resources)

★★★★☆

For Parents and Teachers| Age: 6+ |2-4 Players | Game Duration: 15 minutes

Children learn combinations of numbers that add up to 10 in I Sea 10!Opens in a new tab.

This ocean-themed matching card game consists of 90 number cards and 10 shark cards. Up to four players can use the game, but it is more fun as a two-player game.

Players take turns flipping cards and adding numbers to make 10. The player with the most 10s wins the game.

The game has high replayability and flexibility. For example, you can use the set to teach children how to add or subtract bigger (up to 20) or smaller numbers. You can also play timed challenges to develop your child’s fluency.

Jump 1 (Melon Rind)

★★★★☆

For Parents and Teachers| Age: 5+ |2-4 Players | Game Duration: 15 minutes

In Jump 1Opens in a new tab., players throw cards 1 point higher or lower than the value of the last card played. For example, if the starting number is 8, players can throw cards 7 or 9. If a player discards 7, their choices are 6 or 8.

The round continues until a Frog card is thrown into the pile. After, players will start with a new number.

This game features 66 vibrant cards and two gameplay modes:

  1. Cool and Clever version (for beginners) – Players take turns getting rid of their cards.
  2. Fast & Furious (for experts) – All players get rid of their cards at once.

Other good points:

  • The cards have adorable artwork (contains small insects that correspond to the number on the card)
  • Players with different math skills can play at the same time

Pop for Addition and Subtraction Game (Learning Resources)

★★★★☆

For Teachers | Age: 6-8 | 2-4 Players

Pop for Addition and Subtraction GameOpens in a new tab. is a gumball-themed game that challenges children to add and subtract numbers within 10.

This game consists of 90 math facts cards and 10 Pop! Cards and a spinner. The game guide is printed on the box.

This game features two levels of gameplay:

  • Level 1– Players solve the math facts on gumballs to collect cards.
  • Level 2– Players give math facts equal to the difference or sum of the gumball.

I recommend this game for classrooms and group sessions because the cards are easy to use and organize. Also, teachers can sort the card if they want to focus on addition or subtraction.

Matchematics (Everyday Educate)

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers | Age: 3-6 | 2-4 Players

MatchematicsOpens in a new tab. is designed to teach childrenearly math skills such as:

  • Counting
  • Adding and subtracting numbers

This game has 30 double-sided cards wherein

  • white and orange rings indicate addition
  • Blue and white rings contain subtraction
  • Some cards contain numbers with simple but colorful illustrations (they can be used to learn to count)

To play this game, children must match the number cards with the addition or subtraction problems.

I recommend this matching game because:

  • Children aged 3-6 can manage difficulty (they can start with counting before matching the cards)
  • It can be played solo or with 2-4 players

Math War Addition & Subtraction Game Cards (School Zone)

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers| Age: 5-7 |2- 10 Players

In Math War Addition & Subtraction Game CardsOpens in a new tab., players add and subtract within 10 using 54 game cards.

Players take turns drawing cards and solving math problems. The player with the highest card value wins the round. The winner of the match keeps the card.

This game has a twist. The player who obtains the wild card can collect all the cards in a pile. (I suggest removing this wild card so that the interest in the game keeps going.)

The pros of this game:

  • Encourages children in kindergarten to grade 2 to solve addition and subtraction problems mentally fast
  • The answer key is available (beginners can use it for self-review at home)

Math Splash War Addition & Subtraction Challenge Cards (Trend Enterprises)

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers| Age: 6+ |2- 4 Players

Math Splash War Addition & Subtraction Challenge CardsOpens in a new tab. features 27 addition cards and 27 subtraction cards.

The positive points include:

  • The card’s sea-inspired design and illustrations are more beautiful than other addition and subtraction card games with War gameplay
  • The game is enjoyable with 2-4 players but can also be used for self-review
  • The game is short and fast-paced

The less good:

  • All the cards contain two pictures of different sea creatures instead of representing the equation

This game is relevant for first graders because it can help them memorize addition and subtraction facts within 10.

Addition and Subtraction Card Game Within 12

Sweet Sums (Barnacle Toys LLC)

★★★★★

For Parents and Teachers | Age 4-8 | 2-4 Players | Game Duration: 15 minutes

In Sweet SumsOpens in a new tab., children learn to add and subtract numbers by rolling the dice to create an addition or subtraction equation; then, they find a matching number card for the answer.

Players collect the cards for every correct answer. If the player cannot find the correct sum or difference in the remaining cards, they may get two number cards equal to the answer. The game is over when the last card is taken.

The advantages of this game are:

  • The cards are attractive
  • Scoring is easy (Kids love counting the candies on the back side of the cards!)
  • It is easy to learn and play
  • It has high replayability

Beginners may first build their skills in addition or subtraction before doing both operations.

Addition and Subtraction Card Games Within 20

Visualize It! Part-Whole Addition and Subtraction Cards (Lakeshore Learning)

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers| Age: 5-7 |2- 10 Players

Visualize It! Part-Whole Addition and Subtraction CardsOpens in a new tab. enable children to practice addition and subtraction within 20.

This set has 100 color-coded cards: purple for addition and green for subtraction.

The cards contain three bars. One of them has a question mark that represents the missing value. Players must identify the unknown number by solving the problem. After that, they may check the answer on the back of the card.

I find this set helpful for children in kindergarten if the cards are introduced with adult supervision. However, I suggest sorting the cards first (focus on smaller numbers 0-9 before giving double-digit numbers).

I like this set because:

  • The numbers are big
  • The cards are self-correcting

Overall, I recommend Visualize It! Part-Whole Addition and Subtraction CardsOpens in a new tab. as a review tool for first and second graders.

Jump 2 (Melon Rind)

★★★★☆

For Parents and Teachers| Age: 6+ |2- 4 Players | Game Duration: 15 minutes

Melon Rind also offers Jump 2Opens in a new tab., where children add and subtract by 2 to eliminate all their cards.

This game has 66 colorful cards, the same gameplay versions, and rules as Jump 1Opens in a new tab.. This time, however,

  • players jump to a new number when cute chimps appear.
  • The cards are numbered with intervals of 2 and have a corresponding number of bananas that can help children to visualize the numbers (2-20)

I like the pictures because they are big, vibrant, and eye-catching for children.

Watch out for:

  • Playing the Fast and the Furious version may turn competitive and noisy

I recommend playing Jump 2Opens in a new tab. with first and second graders because the game encourages them to mentally add and subtract 2 from double-digit numbers and learn counting by 2s.

Snap it Up! Math: Addition and Subtraction Card Game (Learning Resources)

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers | Age: 6+| 2-4 Players

Snap it Up! Math: Addition and Subtraction Card GameOpens in a new tab. comprises 90 colorful cards with boldly-printed numbers (0-20).

It also comes with a wild card that prompts players to restart the game when drawn.

Players take turns picking and passing cards to create equations. The first player to make 3 correct addition or subtraction equation that add up to 20 wins the game.

I recommend Snap it Up! Math: Addition and Subtraction Card GameOpens in a new tab.  because:

  • It is easy to teach and play
  • It can be short, played slow or fast

Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game- Addition and Subtraction Through 20

★★★☆☆

For Teachers | Age: 4-8| 2-4 Players

Children can practice addition and subtraction within 20 using the 100 chips of Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game – Addition and Subtraction Through 20Opens in a new tab..

The goal is to collect the most chips. Players earn chips when they answer the problems correctly. If opposing players provide the right answer, the winner is decided by the chips’ rocks, papers, or scissors icons.

This game is relevant for children in kindergarten to second graders becausethe set provides at least 100 items to practice adding or subtracting numbers with:

  • Two digits (20+ 15, 19-11)
  • Two digits and one digit (17+9, 12-4)
  • One digit (3+ 9, 5-2)

It has an answer key, so students can use this game for self-review or math rotations.

I recommend this game to teachers because they can sort the chips and modify the rules to enjoy this game according to their class’s math skills.

Addition and Subtraction Card Games Within 100

Lobo 77 (Hobby Games)

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers| Age: 8+ |2- 8 Players | Game Duration: 30 minutes

In Lobo 77Opens in a new tab., players throw cards that add or subtract from the running total. Players must not exceed the sum of 77 or create a double number (11, 22 until 66). Else, the player forfeits a token each time a double number or a number over 77 is called out.

The game’s goal is to be the last player with tokens remaining.

This game consists of 32 number cards, 24 special cards, 24 tokens, and a game guide.

This game deserves three stars because:

  • The special cards make the game unpredictable and challenging  
  • It is easy to teach and play
  • The cards are colorful with attractive easy to read numbers

The less good:

  • Subtraction is limited to the Minus 10 special card
  • Sometimes, players forget the running total

I recommend this game for children aged 8 years and above because it helps them explore adding big numbers up to 77.

ONO 99 (Mattel)

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers| Age: 7+ |2- 10 Players

In ONO 99Opens in a new tab., players try to keep the discarded pile below 99. They play with 54 colorful cards with numbers ranging from 0 to 10.

During each turn, players discard a card, then give the total value of the pile. If they add a card that makes the sum exceed 99, the player is out.

There are special cards that may affect the player’s strategy:

  • REVERSE – reverse the direction of the play
  • PLAY 2 – forces player to play 2 cards
  • MINUS 10 – subtracts 10 from the pile total
  • ONO 99 – collect and discard ONO 99 cards at once without changing the sum of the discarded pile

I like ONO 99 because it is easy to play. This game can accommodate up to 10 players, but it is more enjoyable to play with 3 players.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game- Addition and Subtraction Through 100 (Really Good Stuff)

★★★☆☆

For Teachers | Age: 6-8 | 2-4 Players | Grade 1-5

Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game- Addition and Subtraction Through 100Opens in a new tab. consists of 100 chips that can help first and second graders master addition and subtraction within 100.

Here’s how to play this game with 2-4 players on each team.

  1. Players sit across each other. The chips are placed in front of them face down.
  2. Each player draws one chip and answers the addition or subtraction problem.
  3. The player who gave the correct answer collects the chip in each round.

If both players give the correct answer, they will determine the winner by checking the icons on the chips.

I recommend this game as a reinforcement activity in school and as a practice tool at home. In addition, children can check their answers anytime since the answer key is provided at the back of the task card.

Addition and Subtraction Card Game Within 1000

Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game- Addition and Subtraction Through 1000

★★★☆☆

For Parents and Teachers | Age: 9-11 | 2-4 Players | Grade 3-5

Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game- Addition and Subtraction Through 1000 has similar gameplay to Rock, Paper, Scissors Math Game- Addition and Subtraction Through 100Opens in a new tab.. However, the 100 chips in this set contain addition and subtraction problems within 1000.

Students may solve the equations on the board or with pen and paper because the numbers are big (up to four digits) and varied. For example,

  • 1000- 975
  • 1000- 25
  • 570-398
  • 822 + 15

It would also be fun to introduce new rules like playing this game as a pair activity where each pair of students are given at least 5 problem cards to solve. Teachers can also make this game more challenging by using a time limit.

I recommend using this game as a review activity at home for third to fifth-graders because it provides plenty of practice in adding and subtracting numbers within 1000.

Other Types of Addition and Subtraction Games

If you are interested in more games about addition and subtraction, you might want to check my following posts:

François Guély

I have been creating educational games since 2001, and I transformed this passion into my professional activity when I created ARITMA in 2006. Aritma is a publisher of educational card games, which currently proposes 18 different games, and increases its collection each year. I am always curious about new learning games, wherever they come from and their form.

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