Number stories · Free printable

Little number stories within five

Choose a comfortable starting point. Use the activities across several short sessions rather than expecting the whole pack to be completed at once.

Print or play ↗See the worksheet

Created by RobPublished 11 October 20264–5 years, flexibly

Take a little peek1 item · Original illustrations

First activity page for Little number stories within five

First activity preview shown. The PDF contains the number stories layout.

Inside the printable

First worksheet in the Little number stories within five printable pack

First page shown. The download includes the complete activity and grown-up guidance.

What we’re exploring

Join two groups and explain their total.

A little way to play

An adult reads the little story. Use the picture and safe counters to act it out.
Point, draw, say or write an answer. Number writing is not required.
Explain what changed, then check the separate answer page together.

Make it easier

An adult models one example while the child points, talks or directs the activity.

Try a little more

Try a fresh example, explain your choice and return to an earlier page for a fluent reread.

For the grown-up

An adult reads the word problems so reading difficulty does not hide the number skill. Use safe large objects or marks on paper. The pictures represent the starting groups; in take-away problems the child crosses out the removed part.

Answers & naming help

1: 1 + 1 = 2. 2: 1 + 2 = 3. 3: 2 + 2 = 4. 4: 3 + 1 = 4. 5: 2 + 3 = 5. 6: 4 + 1 = 5. 7: 1 + 3 = 4. 8: 0 + 4 = 4.

Number stories

How do I print this?

Choose your vocabulary and paper size, then download the PDF. Print at actual size or 100%. Use the low-ink option for outline activities; colour-name cards still need their colour to teach the word. Cut-and-stack mini-books are available in the flashcard maker.

Helpful parent guides

Counting through everyday play

Keep the discoveries going.

More first numbers ↗

First numbers · Challenge 1

Printable counters and counting mats

Twenty large cutout counters, two sorting mats and a numbered strip for practical counting together.

3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity

First numbers · Challenge 1

Ten-frame counting mats

Count dots in ten-frame examples, then use two empty ten-frames with your own counters.

3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity

First numbers · Challenge 3

Find the partner to make ten

Use ten-frame spaces to find the missing partner that makes ten. Twelve varied examples across three practice pages, with separate answers.

4–5 years · FreeExplore activity