Home / Hands-on activities / Word Problem Wizards

Math activity

Word Problem Wizards

Solve simple story problems using toys and drawings. Act out addition and subtraction stories with objects.

WorksheetAbout 25 minutesScreen-freeParent preview recommended

Materials and setup

How this changes by age

Pre-K (ages 3–4)

Solve simple story problems using toys and drawings. Act out addition and subtraction stories with objects.

Difficulty 1 of 3

Steps

  1. Tell a story: '3 birds sat on a fence. 2 more flew in. How many birds now?' Act it out with toys.
  2. Solve 5 addition story problems by moving objects and counting.
  3. Solve 5 subtraction story problems: 'You had 6 grapes. You ate 2. How many are left?'
  4. Draw pictures to show your thinking for 2 problems.
  5. Make up your own math story for a family member to solve.
  6. Tell a grown-up one thing that surprised you.

Learning objectives

  • Represent addition and subtraction stories with objects
  • Solve simple story problems within 10
  • Create original math story problems

Kindergarten (ages 5–6)

Solve one-step word problems using drawings, number sentences, and the strategy: What do I know? What do I need to find?

Difficulty 2 of 3

Steps

  1. Read each word problem carefully. Ask: What do I know? What do I need to find?
  2. Draw a picture to represent the problem.
  3. Write a number sentence (equation) to match the problem.
  4. Solve 8 one-step word problems involving addition and subtraction within 20.
  5. Write 2 of your own word problems and solve them.
  6. Tell a grown-up one thing that surprised you.

Learning objectives

  • Use a problem-solving strategy for word problems
  • Represent word problems with drawings and equations
  • Write original word problems with solutions

Early elementary (ages 6–8)

Solve multi-step word problems using all four operations. Identify key words, choose operations, and show multiple solution strategies.

Difficulty 2 of 3

Steps

  1. Read each word problem and underline key information. Cross out unnecessary details.
  2. Identify the operation(s) needed. Watch for multi-step problems requiring two operations.
  3. Solve 6 word problems using at least 2 different strategies (draw a picture, write an equation, make a table, work backwards).
  4. Show all work clearly, labeling your answer with appropriate units.
  5. Check each answer: does it make sense? Is it reasonable?
  6. Write 3 multi-step word problems for a partner to solve.
  7. In one sentence, tell a parent or sibling what surprised you today.

Learning objectives

  • Solve multi-step word problems using all four operations
  • Apply multiple problem-solving strategies
  • Evaluate reasonableness of solutions

Upper elementary (ages 8–10)

Tackle complex, real-world word problems involving fractions, decimals, ratios, and multiple steps. Justify solutions with mathematical reasoning.

Difficulty 3 of 3

Steps

  1. Solve 5 complex word problems involving fractions and decimals in real-world contexts.
  2. For each problem, write out your problem-solving process: understand, plan, solve, check.
  3. Solve 3 ratio/proportion word problems (if 3 cans of paint cover 2 walls, how many cans for 8 walls?).
  4. Write a complete solution with mathematical justification for 2 problems (explain WHY your approach works).
  5. Create a 'Problem of the Week' challenge with a multi-step problem and detailed answer key.
  6. Reflect: which problem-solving strategies work best for you? Rank your top 3.

Learning objectives

  • Solve complex word problems with fractions, decimals, and ratios
  • Write mathematical justifications for solution methods
  • Apply systematic problem-solving processes

Safety and evidence note

Read the full activity before beginning. An adult should supervise tools, heat, food, outdoor work, movement, and experiments as appropriate. Completion records that the activity was done; the child’s explanation, work sample, photo, or demonstration is stronger evidence of learning than a completion check alone.

Related math activities

Addition and Subtraction Stories

Use toy animals to tell math stories. '3 ducks are swimming. 2 more come. How many now?' Act it out and count together.

Algebra Adventures: Patterns and Variables

Build a pattern with red and blue blocks — red, blue, red, blue! What comes next? Find patterns on shirts, tiles, and bricks too.

Angle Explorers

Explore turns and corners! Open a book wide or just a little bit. Discover that doors, scissors, and your arms all make angles when they open and close.

Animal Counting Corral

Round up toy animals into corrals (bowls or boxes) and count how many are in each group. Practice counting up to 10 with one-to-one correspondence.

Browse all 575 activities · Explore course syllabi