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Home » Kindergarten Math

11 Free Addition and Subtraction Bump Games Just for Kindergarten

By Leslie Simpson · About 5 minutes to read this article.

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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

  • Describing 3D Shapes Hide-n-Seek Game for Kindergarten
  • Free Making 5 Addition Bingo Game
  • 10 Activities for Describing 3D Shapes in Kindergarten
11 Free Addition and Subtraction Bump Games Just for Kindergarten
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About Leslie Simpson

Leslie is the teacher behind KindergartenWorks. She believes in teaching kinders how to be pretty incredible along with teaching them to read, write and think for themselves. She enjoys drinking hot tea, making mud pies with her three kids and sharing what she's learned with teachers.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Natasha Mila says

    June 17, 2016 at 10:43 pm

    Hey! Just letting you know that I don't think any of the links to the games are active!

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 18, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks so much - something must've gone wonky on the back end. I think it's all fixed up now!
      - Leslie

      Reply
      • Natasha Mila says

        June 18, 2016 at 11:06 pm

        Thank you!!

        Reply
      • Natasha Mila says

        June 19, 2016 at 9:02 am

        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!!

        Reply
        • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

          June 19, 2016 at 4:14 pm

          Absolutely - Good luck! I'm so glad to hear that you get to create your own plan - in my opinion boxed curriculum is overrated 😉 You'll do great, especially if kinder is where you want to be!!

          Reply
  2. Ann Spencer says

    May 30, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    Oh, wowie-wow-wow!! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 11, 2012 at 6:46 pm

      Thanks Ann - you made me smile!

      Reply
  3. Crayons and Curls says

    April 28, 2012 at 11:46 am

    Wow! These are amazing! Thank you so much for creating these! 🙂
    Cheryl
    Crayons and Curls

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 11, 2012 at 6:45 pm

      Thanks Cheryl for your kind words!

      Reply
  4. Carol Hodam Castillo says

    April 18, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    Thanks for sharing ~

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 11, 2012 at 6:45 pm

      You're welcome Carol - thanks!

      Reply
  5. krissyminer says

    April 18, 2012 at 7:17 am

    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

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 11, 2012 at 6:42 pm

      Krissy, I can't wait to hear how you do math centers!

      Reply
  6. Kari says

    April 17, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    Thanks so much! This will be great to use with my students!!!!!

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 11, 2012 at 6:44 pm

      Thanks Kari!

      Reply
  7. Fiona Reyna says

    April 17, 2012 at 6:49 pm

    Super awesome - thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 11, 2012 at 6:44 pm

      Thanks Fiona!

      Reply
  8. Miss T says

    April 17, 2012 at 6:06 pm

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

    Journey of a Substitute Teacher

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 11, 2012 at 6:44 pm

      And how 😉

      Reply
  9. Mary Lirette says

    April 15, 2012 at 11:02 am

    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

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 11, 2012 at 6:44 pm

      Of course Mary - your games are loved by my kinders! Thanks for letting me share!

      Reply
  10. ketchenskindergarten says

    April 14, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 11, 2012 at 6:43 pm

      Thanks Arianne! Your stuff is amazing!

      Reply
  11. Jen E says

    April 14, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    Thank you for this post! It has lots of good stuff! 🙂
    Jen

    Jen's Kinder Kids

    Reply
  12. School Sparks Renee says

    April 14, 2012 at 12:54 pm

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

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      April 18, 2012 at 9:05 pm

      Thanks Renee!

      Reply
  13. heathernnance says

    April 14, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    Thank you for sharing all these wonderful games and bloggers!!

    [email protected]

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      April 18, 2012 at 9:04 pm

      Thanks Heather!

      Reply
  14. amoffatt says

    April 14, 2012 at 10:54 am

    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!!

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      April 18, 2012 at 9:04 pm

      Here's to you winning Annie 😉

      Reply
  15. Vickie says

    April 14, 2012 at 9:03 am

    Thanks for the shout out and for making the directions pages!
    Vickie
    Mrs. Plant's Press

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      April 18, 2012 at 9:04 pm

      You're welcome Vickie! My kids really like the fluency flashcards!

      Reply
  16. Tiffani Mugurussa says

    April 14, 2012 at 8:50 am

    Thank you for sharing such great resources

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      April 18, 2012 at 9:04 pm

      Thanks Tiffani!

      Reply

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