Subtraction within 5 Worksheet (Free Printable PDF)

What’s in the PDF

• Page 1 (Level 1, easier): It has six cross-out picture sums, such as five flowers take away one, plus six take-away number sums.
• Page 2 (Level 2, harder): It has twelve subtraction sums, six missing-number sums like 5 − ? = 2, and a story sum about strawberries.
• Page 3: an answer key for both levels.

Print one level at a time. If Level 1 feels easy, move straight on to Level 2.

How to teach subtraction within 5

Subtraction makes most sense as “taking away”. Put four grapes on a plate, eat one and ask how many are left. On the worksheet, your child reads the sum, crosses out the right number of pictures and counts the ones that are left. Saying the sum aloud helps: “four take away two leaves two.” Keep the numbers small so the idea is clear before the facts are fast.

What to watch for

Some children cross out the wrong number or count the crossed-out pictures as well. Ask them to cross out with one clear line and to count only the pictures that are still “there”. Taking away zero, and taking away everything, can surprise children, so talk about those too.

Game: Five little ducks

Sing a counting-down song with five toy ducks or fingers. Each time one goes away, say the sum: “five take away one is four.” Let your child choose how many go away each round.

Everyday practice

Snack time is ideal: three crackers, eat one, how many left? Count toys back into the box and ask how many are still on the floor. Small stories make subtraction feel real.

Questions to ask while they work

• How many did you start with?
• How many went away?
• Are there more or fewer now?

Practise next

Try addition within 5, subtraction within 10, more or less. Check that your child can write the numbers with number tracing 1 to 10.