11 Free Addition and Subtraction Bump Games Just for Kindergarten

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Work on addition and subtraction in kindergarten by playing games. Here is a collection of 11 free bump gameboards that kindergarteners can use to build their math skills.

Free Addition Subtraction Bump Games Just for Kindergarten

Bump-style games are perfect for kindergarten because they can be played by a single player or they can be a partner game.

These games I’ve made practice these Common Core Standards:

  • K.OA.1.f. Represent addition and subtraction with verbal explanations and mental images.
  • K.OA.1.g. Represent addition and subtraction with expressions and equations
  • K.OA.5.a. Add fluently, orally or in writing, within 5.
  • K.OA.5.b. Subtract fluently, orally or in writing, within 5.

Let me share the directions for the bump games and then link to each of the different themes so you can use them in your classroom too.

Directions for bump

Now, the directions for playing bump are pretty simple.

Each player takes turns rolling the dice and covering the matching number with a linking cube. If a number is covered by an opponent’s linking cube, the player may “bump” the other player off the number, and place their own linking cube on the number. A player may “lock” a number to keep opponents from bumping by locking two of their linking cubes together. The first player to run out of their linking cubes is the winner.

Now, I have found a secret weapon that saves me time teaching math games that I use in our math games and activities center.

Want to know what that secret is?

Make the directions easy for beginning readers by giving them what they read well – pictures!

Picture directions for how to play bump games

So – all of my bump games listed here have picture directions (for both playing alone or with a partner). That way they can use the directions to:

  • be reminded of how to play
  • use the materials correctly
  • more easily keep game items together

After I modeled one game of “bump” with a direction sheet, I haven’t had to revisit the rules or procedures – really!

I have tons of bump games now, but they get it without any explanation since the directions pretty much always stay the same.

Subtraction games

Play subtraction games to find the difference. Here are three subtraction bump games I can recommend.

These subtraction games also come with an optional built-in ten frame so that students can solve right on the dry-erase surface (if you laminate or put them in a plastic sleeve).

Dinnertime Subtraction with Ten Frame Support

Dinnertime! Feed the shark subtraction

Are you ready to dive into the ocean to feed the shark? This ocean-themed bump game is great for any point of the school year.

Free Ocean Theme Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten

Students roll two dice and subtract to put their pieces on the gameboard.

Grinchy subtraction game

Pull out this Christmas bump game sometime in December. Students will try to get all of their linking cubes onto the gameboard first to win.

Free Grinchy Theme Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten

Pick red and green linking cubes to make this feel even more Christmas-y and put it in your math center. Or bring it out when you celebrate Read Across America in March.

Off-road monster trucks subtraction game

This subtraction bump game can be used anytime throughout the school year. The monster truck vehicles make this an eye-catcher for boys especially.

Free Monster Truck Theme Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten

Grab your off-road subtraction game now.

Addition games

Now let’s take a look at these addition bump games. There are more gameboard options in these themed sets. In total, there are eight games here.

These themes below have four gameboards each. The games are:

  • Students can roll a die and find the matching number 1-6 on the gameboard.
  • Students can roll two dice, add and find the matching number 2-12 on the gameboard.
  • Students can roll 3 dice, add and find the matching number 3-18 on the gameboard.
  • Students can roll 2 dice (one regular and one specialty*), add and find the matching number 11-16.

*I even give you the template to make your own specialty dice so you can make a ten-frame die using dice you already own. It’s great for working on composing teen numbers.

Lucky addition

These rainbow-themed addition games are perfect to have out all year long. Simply change out the board to match the level of your students.

St. Patrick's day-themed adding dice game board for kindergarten

Bring the rainbow out again in March for St. Patrick’s Day.

Wintertime addition

Use these wintery bump gameboards to fill the air with snowflakes. These wintertime addition games can work for you anytime your students are ready for the skills.

Winter-themed adding dice game board for kindergarten

But if you just want to use them when it’s wintery… for me, teaching in Indiana meant I could use them from November through April – ha!

Let’s wrap it up

There you have it – a collection of five different themed addition and subtraction games that makes for a total of 11 free bump gameboards. I hope that your class finds these games fun and that you like what they’re learning.

Want to know when I teach each of those standards? You can find out when to teach math standards in kindergarten.

When to teach math standards in kindergarten

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Kindergarten Math

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34 Comments

      1. PS I am seriously reading every single post of yours currently before I begin my first year teaching kinders 🙂 I was in a middle school this past year but kindergarten is where I want to be so I am terrified and happy about the transition. We have some curriculum but it will likely be mostly up to me so your standards based planning is incredibly helping my sanity! I start in the end of July – wish me luck in beginning to plan!!

  1. Leslie, This is so amazing! I am moving to Math Centers next year and this will be perfect. Your products amaze me…thank you so much for sharing. Going on my FB page RIGHT now.
    Krissy
    Mrs. Miner’s Monkey Business

  2. Looks awesome 🙂 Picture cues are a great idea for the little ones, that’s for sure!

    Journey of a Substitute Teacher

  3. Thanks for sharing a few of my Bump/Roll and Cover games! Math games make learning so much more fun! 🙂

    Mary
    Mrs. Lirette’s Learning Detectives

  4. This is a fantastic post! I really love the direction cards – both for kids and adults (coming into the room, subs, aides, etc. – whoever!). Thanks for sharing one of my resources – this post really is awesome!!!
    Arianne
    Ketchen’s Kindergarten

  5. These look like great ideas! Thanks! (Yeah – preparing for a sub is more work than just being at school!!) Renee

  6. I remember preparing for the sub and it always seemed like more work than just being there:) Anyway, I just entered your giveaway on Teachers Notebook…I hope I win!!

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