FREE Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities PDF
| |

Free Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities PDF for 5th Grade

Are you a 5th grade math teacher trying to figure out more ways to help your students? Try using this engaging and no prep printable adding and subtracting decimals activities PDF for a lesson that’s full of both fun and learning at the same time.

Using fun activities makes your students master adding and subtracting decimals with ease. These engaging worksheets are designed to make decimal decimal operations fun and accessible.

In this blog, we are talking about helping you to build confidence and proficiency in your student’s abilities to add and subtract decimals using mystery puzzle activities.

Why should you teach decimal operations?

It’s a very important skill to teach your students how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals.

The knowledge that your students gain by building this particular skill is very important in their daily lives while dealing with height, weight, money, etc.

But before this, they need to nail down their basic about decimal place values.

Having prior knowledge of decimal place values, your students will be better able to understand decimal operations like adding and subtracting decimals.

Here are a few resources you can try in your classroom for teaching decimal addition and subtraction:

Engaging Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities PDF

Keep in mind you need to build up your student’s basic understanding of decimal numbers before your use this printable mystery puzzle activity for review work.

FREE Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities PDF

Adding and Subtracting Decimals Mystery Puzzle Activity

You want to review adding and subtracting decimals for your 5th grade math students, and your goal is to make them capable enough to be able to think independently of the math problems.

Why not try these no prep adding and subtracting decimals activities PDF with mystery puzzle worksheets? Here is an example of how it looks:

How does this activity work?

First, print the activity page and cut the puzzle pieces on the right side of the page. You can even tell your students to cut the pieces themselves.

Second, they solve the problem of adding and subtracting decimals on the left side of the page. They can use the block they are working on to show their work or even use the back side of the page to show.

Lastly, they find the puzzle picture with the answer they have found and paste it on that specific question. Encourage them to keep on working until they reveal the mystery picture.

Adding and subtracting decimals activities 5th grade mystery puzzle not only helps them with their decimal problem solving skills but also lets them wonder what mystery lies ahead of them.

If you are interested in the free printable adding and subtracting decimals activity, fill in the form below with your name and email address, and it will be delivered to your inbox.

Click here to download PDF. The activity has an answer key, just in case your kiddos get stuck while solving the puzzle. I hope you found this post helpful.

Need help? I am just an email away.

Contact me at [email protected]

Join in to get special FREEBIES and Insider’s FUN!

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Skyrocket your Elementary Kids math learning using Innovative Valentine’s Day Activities To Triple Their Skills

    Do you want this Valentine’s Day to be the best math learning day for your kids while adapting fun and educational activities for your lesson? I got you covered so you do not have to spend a lot of your precious time thinking about what to plan for the day. In this post, I will discuss a wide variety of Valentine’s Day activities including puzzles, color-by-number games, and interactive math games, which not only captivate students’ attention but also help them learn essential math skills.

    Want to know the best part? You don’t have to do anything except for taking the printouts and handing them over to your students. Good deal, right?!

    Spread Math Love using Valentine’s Day Fraction Puzzles and Reinforce the Skills!

    Valentines Day fraction puzzles activity

    Puzzles are a great way to incorporate hands on experience in your teaching. You can use simple sorting puzzles like these Valentine’s Day adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators to develop math skills while providing them with gamification to enhance their learning experience. These puzzles provide a playful approach to problem solving and encourage interactive learning. You will enjoy watching your students observe how the puzzles combine to create beautiful Valentine’s Day themed images.

    These activities not only enforce the faction operations skills but also help in developing a collaborative environment where kids learn to work alongside their peers and have to develop teamwork and enhance their social skills. 

    Engaging Valentine’s Day Activities with Word Problem

    Valentines Day Multi Digit Addition and Subtraction Worksheet with Word Problems

    I get how difficult it can be to make kids understand and practice word problems on top of that pair it with plain boring worksheets and all you get is a recipe for disaster in class. So, how do you manage to keep students excited while keeping your lessons on point and still moving the needle? Try using fun and interactive worksheets with a touch of coloring to increase focus while staying on track. 

    Don’t have time to create one, no problem I have done all the grunt work for you and created this highly intriguing Valentine’s Day-themed activity “Addition and subtraction activities along with word problems”. It’s a perfect way to exercise your students’ 3 digit addition and subtraction problem solving skills in a love filled way! These activities have an enjoyable twist on the traditional learning word problems. Your students will enjoy this one and so will you.

    Valentine’s Day Solve the Room Activities

    Why worry about making students get tired or bored while practicing math? Why not use some unconventional ways to keep our math classes mesmerizing while challenging students at the same time? The “Valentine’s Day Solve the Room” activities are designed to do just that. 

    Valentines Day Math Add Subtract Multiply Divide Solve the Room Activity Bundle

    These Solve the Room activities cover basic math skills like 2 digit addition subtraction along with 2 digit multiplication and division. Use them and see kid’s faces lit with joy. All you have to do is put the question cards around the room and students need to find them, solve them, and record the answers in their record sheets.

    The mere activity of walking and solving math turns it into an amusing and delightful physical experience! Students get so engaged and it’s captivating to watch them calculate and get excited!

    Color By Number Activities: A Great Way to Integrate Art and Math.

    For you teachers out there, do not forget to try out Color By Number Activity during the season of Love! It’s not only perfect for kids who love coloring, but the Valentine’s Day theme makes it even more fun and relevant for February. 

    Valentines Day Multidigit Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Coloring by number

    The activity is a perfect combination of art and math. While coloring and designing something beautiful, students can learn basic addition and subtraction skills. And, the best part! they get to create a gorgeous piece of artwork that you can then hang in the hallway as a reward! It’s a win-win for both learners and teachers.

    Try out these activities as a way to make math enjoyable and intriguing for students, while also keeping the holiday spirit alive. With these activities, students will have the chance to learn these topics and practice the essential skills, while having fun. 

    Moreover, these are great to break up your typical lesson plans and add a fun and lively aspect to your classroom. So, take advantage of these holiday-themed math activities to keep your students engaged and motivated to learn!

    By the way if you like this activity you might want to check out adding and subtracting decimals activities 5th grade.

    Fun Multiplication and Division Independent Activities Pack

    Valentines Day MultiDigit Multiplication & Long Division Worksheets Word Problem

    Do your kids struggle with poor working memory while reviewing math multiplication or division facts? Do their weak mental math skills frustrate you? Try using interactive activity – it’s super fun and educational! Incorporating this packet into your teaching arsenal could revolutionize the way your students perceive math. No longer just numbers on a page, math becomes a gateway to creativity, problem-solving, and festive fun. It’s an excellent way to maintain academic rigor while also acknowledging the season, making it a win-win for teachers aiming to keep their lessons fresh and students motivated.

    Want to get the insider’s Fun? Join the Club here!

  • | | |

    5 Unique but Epic Ways To Use Color By Number Worksheets For High Student Engagement This Year

    Using color by number activities in one of my favourite ways to bring excitment and fun inside classroom. I cannot tell you how much my kids look forward to using these for any topic or theme day.

    Seriously its one of the best way in my opinion to keep them on the task while still interested in practicing math during math centers.

    Try using the if your kids are hitting a math practicing roadblock. We even display the art result they produced in our classroom or gallery. Students feel super prod when I do that.

    So today let’s discover five easy ways you can implement math color by number worksheets so you can have an engaged class that’s excited to work on them.

    What is a Color by Number Worksheets:

    Color by number worksheets aren’t just art and math combined today, instead they are a sure way to give your kids a more engaging and educational experience that they might miss out on during a traditional learning environment.

    This way of practicing math provides a structured way to kid’s daily math practice. Today, I’m about to sow you how I use them to add engagement for any topic you want to teach be it fraction operation including word problems or order of operation along with decimal operations.

    Why to use Color by number worksheets for developing understanding:

    Using art in our daily learning is a fantastic way to increase our kid’s educational experience. Think of it this way: your kids solving math problems and revealing a historical place, figure, or even a themed art piece to set the mood for some festive spirit.

    Coloring is also a calming activity that reduces stress and keeps them focused on the task while developing fine motor skills. This is one of the reason why I use color-by-number worksheets as a terrific way to keep them on track with their daily math progress while having fun

    Customizable Math Teaching Tool:

    Every child is different, and no 2 kids can learn the same way. Customizing color by number worksheets to fit their needs and learning styles can drastically boost student’s engagement.

    For visual learners or students who cannot focus on a single task, these worksheets can be a handy tool for any math teacher. 

    Creative Reward and Recognition:

    You can use the completed math coloring worksheets as a positive reinforcement activity for your students.

    Here is how I achieve this. I display the finished color by number worksheets inside our classroom or hallway, which encourages students to perform better and acts as a reward for their hard work.

    Develops Emotional Intelligence:

    This type of activity not only gets student’s creative juices to follow but also keeps them calm and organized. This enhances their emotional intelligence and stamina to endure more demanding challenges in the learning process, which we as a teacher always strive for. 

    Independent and Self-Checking Practice:

    If I had to pick one reason among all the above, this one would always surpass the rest. The most important thing any teacher wants is to cut down the time used for grading so we can actually do more of what we Love, aka “TEACHING“.

    Color by number worksheets are a fantastic way to facilitate independent practice of topics like area of complex figures, order of operations during the math center activities or the morning bell work, or you can even leave them for a sub day and still get the teaching stuff done while you are away. 

    Want to include some color-by-number activities in your class?

    Here are a few free ones for you to use.

    Get access to Free addition and subtraction color-by-number worksheets and Multiplication Color by number worksheets

    If you would like to see more color by code activities, just click on the cover below.

    Math color by number worksheets and activites for elementary students, decimals and fractions color by number worksheets
  • | |

    11 Cool Ways to Make Boring Worksheets Fun and Interesting

    Are you ready to learn how to make Boring Worksheets Fun in your next math class and make math the coolest part of your kids day . Try out these fun ideas and say goodbye to boring old traditional worksheets.

    In this post I’ve got 11 super fun ideas to make math feel like a game. Imagine your students racing to finish math problems, playing bingo with math questions, or even turning your classroom into a mini escape room.

    Let’s make sure learning math is not just about numbers but also about having a great time. And yes you can have fun in you math class even using your old math worksheets that maybe your district in mandating you to use.

    1. Math Races:

    I am all about healthy competition and honestly my kids even love it. All you have to do is give your students a competitive atmosphere by timing them as they complete their assigned math activities or worksheets. This will motivate them to finish quickly and accurately and turn the routine task into an exciting race against the clock.

    2. Worksheet Bingo:

    Another idea that you can implement is turn your normal daily worksheet problems into a bingo game. Which basically means with each correct answer you made your students to mark off a task or problem completed and check off a square. What can even motivate them more is to give them a small prize or award recognition for their effort or to the one that get a line first.

    3. Math Puzzles:

    Using puzzles as worksheets where with every problem that they solve gives them some clue for the next problem they need to solve. It can be a riddle, a hidden message, or a mystery that gets solved with each correct answer. I used on of these mystery puzzles worksheets for reviewing addition and subtraction inside my classroom and my kids just loved it.

    4. Interactive Worksheets:

    Using technology to turn your already made worksheets into interactive digital activities. This way you do not have o do the work again and still keep your kids engaged in fun way. Best way I do it is by turning the task cards in to images and then adding those task cards as background images inside Google Slides(TM) and add a text box on top of it for my kids to put their answers.

    Second thing that you can do is insert the same task cards as images in Google forms(TM) and use the multiple choice option to create a multiple choice self Checking activity like this for your class, either way your kids are gonna love the special twist of learning experience you put on turning boring worksheet fun.

    5. Group Challenges:

    Team work in important for every classroom whether its ELA, math, arts or even music. No matter what you are teaching encouraging teamwork by having students work in small groups to complete the the assigned math task. This way they can develop their social and leadership skill along side learning which is a win win. Students can discuss strategies and help each other out which fosters a collaborative learning necessary for their future growth.

    Creating activities like math mazes, puzzles or mystery activities gives them the opportunity they need to develop their collaborative skills and turn boring worksheets into fun learning experiences.

    6. Real-World Application:

    Connect math problems to real-life scenarios. This not only makes the worksheet more interesting but also helps students understand the practical application of what they’re learning.

    7. Math Stations:

    Set up different stations around the room, each with a math task or worksheet to complete. Students rotate through the stations that breaks the monotony of boring routine and adds movement and excitement to the class.

    8. Creative Rewards:

    Positive reinforcement is essential for kids to learn and get motivated to do better next time. You can give them their favorite snack as an award, a Home work pass or a chance to play their favorite game.

    9. Incorporate Art:

    Have them illustrate their mathematical thinking into art. This gives them the ability to develop further their problem solving skills and critical thinking skills.

    10. Math Journals:

    Math journals like goal journals and others can be useful. Instead of boring worksheets, have students keep math journals where they not only solve math problems but also write about their thought process, making the activity more reflective and personalized. This helps students organize their thought and develop creative thinking.

    11. Escape Rooms:

    Design worksheets that mimic an escape room challenge. Each correct answer helps “unlock” the next section until they “escape” by completing the entire sheet. This adds an element of adventure to the task.

    Remember, the goal is to make learning math not just educational but incredibly fun too. So, try to use these strategies and ideas to your advantage, and turn boring worksheets fun and use them to your advantage. Here is one such example of an multi digit addition and subtraction escape room I did in my that my kids totally loved.

    Use this and see your students discover the joy in numbers, and most importantly, develop a lasting love for learning. Implementing all these ideas might require a bit more effort on your part but I assure you it will be 100% worth it.

    Find the tips useful, share with other teacher friends!

  • |

    3 Digit Subtraction and Addition Worksheets for Daily Math

    During my elementary math classroom, I like having games and activities that are not prep.

    Why? Well, because it is easier for teachers to set them up and grade, and on top of that, kids ALWAYS love it when I teach subtraction and addition using board game worksheets.

    In this blog post, I’m going to share 3 of the best resources you can use in your classroom to teach 3 digit subtraction and addition using worksheets.

    First of all, teaching 3 digit subtraction and addition with and without regrouping isn’t just necessary at the start of the year. In fact, it’s better to set up the material as a year-long series resource that you just pull up and instantly use to teach.

    Honestly, it can be hard to make something that you can use all year long. At least, it was always hard for me to decide what to use for practicing this basic addition and subtraction skill.

    To overcome this problem, I created several 3 digit subtraction and addition worksheets that I keep with me whenever I need them during class.

    Here are a few of them that you can use to make your life easier.

    3 Digit Subtraction and Addition Worksheets

    1. 3 Digit Subtraction and Addition Worksheets

    As the name suggests, addition and subtraction with regrouping worksheets are best used when we are introducing these concepts to kids.

    What you want at this stage is to allow your students to practice the skills they have learned without any distractions.

    Once they have practiced enough, you can then use advanced pedagogical activities to reinforce their practice, like printable math board games, digital activities, or even coloring math worksheets.

    This excites the students to work on their basics and get their practice done correctly.

    Looking for some premade worksheet suggestions?

    Check these 3 digit subtraction and addition worksheets


    3 Digit Subtraction and Addition Worksheets

    2. Addition and Subtraction Riddles Activity Worksheets

    Honestly, who does not love to solve riddles? In my classroom, I always find my kids excited to practice math when done with riddles worksheets.

    This activity is the single most used activity throughout my addition and subtraction practice class. Riddles not only keep them engaged in working on math but also keep them excited to know what the answer to the secret question is.

    So if you want to make your kids practice 3 digit addition and subtraction, use riddle activities to keep them excited about working on their daily practice.

    Another option would be to use it as a center activity or homework to reinforce what they have learned.

    Want to check out how I use Riddles for multi digit addition and subtraction, click here.


    3. Solve The Room 3 Digit Addition and Subtraction Activity

    5th grade solve the room activities

    Let’s face it math is a tough subject for some kids.

    And whether you are new to teaching or you have been teaching for quite some time.

    It can get frustrating to keep your kids engaged and excited to try new concepts. It can feel boring to go through the same activities day in and day out. But the good news is that it does not have to be!

    If you want to make this tedious task more fun and engaging for your kids, WHY not incorporate the Solve the Room activity in your weekly math activities list?

    Solve the Room is a simple yet effective way to help your kids get up and moving while solving math inside the class.

    It is not only fun and highly active, but can also be used to assess your student’s individual understanding of the concepts.


    Here is how it works:

    You place the question task cards at different stations inside your classroom. Give each of your students a recording sheet that they can use to solve and write their answers.

    Students hop from one station to the other, solving the problems. If they get stuck, they can come to me for some help.

    You can use Solve the Room activities for every 5th grade math topic. I use it for almost every 5th grade math topic, like Addition and Subtraction of Whole numbers, Fractions, and Decimals.

    But just in case you do not want to make these activities yourself and want to save your valuable time, then I have one inside my TPT store for you to check out. Click here to check! 

    Want a free adding and subtracting decimals activity check this post!

    Join in to get special FREEBIES and Insider’s FUN!

  • |

    How to teach the area of composite/complex figures in an EPIC way!

    Struggling to teach the area of composite figures in a way your students actually get?

    Ever wondered that every time you feel like thinking about how to get started or how even to think about introducing the topic to your kids, frustration kicks in!

    Believe it or not, we all have been there during our first few years of teaching.

    And you’re not alone… If your kids are zoning out the second you say “area” keep reading, this post breaks it down with easy, engaging ideas that make sense (and work for all levels).

    Teach kids how to find Area of Complex or Composite Shapes  figures | middle school math lessons and activities

    Explore the Area of complex figures in an exciting way

    Let’s be real right now teaching math isn’t what it used to be. Today’s kids are growing up with TikTok-level attention spans and infinite entertainment options at their fingertips.

    That means if your area of complex shapes lessons are not engaging and exciting enough, you’ve already lost half the battle.

    Here’s the good news, you don’t need flashy tech or hours of prep work just to make the area of composite figures click for your students. You just need the right strategy.

    So how do you teach this topic in a way that’s fun, clear, and actually sticks?

    find Area of Complex or Composite Shapes lesson math middle school

    The answer: make it visual, hands-on, and connected to real life, yup, that’s right this way your students aren’t just memorizing formulas, they’re solving problems like mini math detectives on a mission hunt.

    Now the question is where do you begin?

    Start with the Basics:

    Like I said, it all starts with basics.

    And to be honest, there is no other answer to this problem other than nailing the basics!

    Here is the hard truth… if kids find the lesson interesting, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn about the problem, think about it, practice it, and ultimately feel a sense of confidence in their skills.

    This is why using gamified methods of teaching math inside your classroom can be a handy tool for teaching any concept!

    Teach kids how to find Area of Complex or Composite Shapes  figures | middle school math lessons and activities

    Seeing Math Everywhere:

    Here are the steps to help kids see math everywhere in their life.

    Step 1: Help Students See Math Everywhere (Real-Life Hook)

    One of the most effective ways to introduce composite figures is by showing students where these shapes exist in their world.

    What it means is to check for there: Activate prior knowledge. Ask your students:

    • What basic shapes do you already know?
    • Can you think of any objects that are made up of more than one shape?

    Then guide them to see that a playground, a building (maybe school) floor plan, or even a weird-shaped pizza is made of multiple simple shapes.

    🟩 + 🟥 + 🟦 = Composite figure.

    Your goal here is to help them realize that composite shapes are just familiar shapes combined, nothing fancy.

    Teach kids how to find Area of Complex or Composite Shapes  figures | middle school math lessons and activities

    Step 2: Revisit the Basics with Hands-On Practice

    Before diving into composite figures, make sure your students are rock solid on calculating the area of:

    • Squares
    • Rectangles
    • Triangles

    Here is a Pro Tip: Use graph paper and have them COUNT squares to confirm what the formulas actually do. This helps your visual and tactile learners “see” the math in action.

    Step 3: Decompose a Composite Figure (using engaging activities)

    Once the basics are solid, it’s time for the real fun, breaking down a complex shape into smaller, manageable parts.

    Here is an activity you can try in your class:

    1. Show them a real-life layout — like a house blueprint or the shape of a playground.
    2. Ask them to identify the basic shapes they see.
    3. Have them outline or color-code each individual shape inside the figure.
    4. Guide them through finding the area of each part — and then adding it all together.

    Want a fun way to reinforce this practice? Try out this this area and perimeter Color by Number activity!

    Finding the Area of Composite Figures or Complex Figures (Color by Number)

    Since kids have already mastered how to calculate the area of regular shapes, it’s time to introduce them to composite figures.

    You can use any composite shape, like a park or a house layout, and ask what they see.

    Tell them to imagine the shape as a whole building made by several small ones and treat every small shape like a rectangle, square, or triangle as a room inside the building.

    Let them think about this concept for a while, and then decompose the shape into its parts and find the area of the individual basic shape.

    Finding Area of Complex Figures Piece by Piece

    Next, it’s time to decompose composite figures like literally breaking the big shape into smaller, familiar parts.

    For better understanding, it’s good to introduce a composite figure with 2 or 3 squares or rectangles and then move on to the more complex figures.

    The next step is to ask your kids how many squares or rectangles they see inside their big figures.

    Have them trace or outline each individual shape in a different color and then calculate the area of each smaller part one shape at a time.

    Pro Tip: Write the area inside each shape as they go to help them see their progress. Next step is to calculate the areas of these individual shapes.

    Since your students by now already know how to calculate the area of regular figures, it would not be a daunting task. Lastly, ask them to add all of them together to get the total area.

    Want some resources to practice the area of squares, rectangles, and triangles in an exciting way? Check out this area and perimeter Color by Number activity below.

    Area of complex figures review practice and perimeter of regular and composite figure, area and perimeter of regular shapes

    Finding the Area of Complex Figures (Trending and Most Popular)

    Now comes the fun part: tell your kids that we are calculating the area of the whole building, not just the single rooms inside.

    They also know how to calculate it by adding the areas of each smaller shape. Basically, by summing up, kids will be able to tell what the area of the complex figure is. 

    Want some fun digital and printable activities to help you with this lesson?

    Check out this exciting whole class activity: Digital game for area of composite figure that also includes printaba le worksheet for student accountability.

    Area of composite figure digital game and activity for 6th grade

    Want to access free math resources worth $29. Click here to learn more!

    Click here to learn more about 5th Grade math activities that keep your students excited while learning math year long.

    Join in to get special FREEBIES and Insider’s FUN!

  • | | |

    Fun and Engaging Digital Halloween Math Activities for 3rd 4th and 5th Grade

    Looking for some Fun and engaging Halloween math activities to keep your kids busy? Try out these “PICK A WITCH” Digital Game activities with your class and see their excitement skyrocket.

    This resource is an interactive digital game which you can use to review or assess your kids place value understanding during their centers time or as a whole class activity.

    Halloween math activities for 3rd 4th and 5th grade kids

    Here is how the Game Works:

    “PICK A WITCH” Game activity is designed to help your kids practice and review the place value of larger numbers like 6 digits in a fun and engaging way.

    The resource is a compressed file that unzips to a PowerPoint Activity. The Game activity has 12 question slides and 1 main i.e. “PICK A WITCH” slide.

    Display the main slide on the projector and divide your kids into 2 teams. Now tell them to pick a number. The number that they pick you have to click on it to display the question. Once the kids see the question he or she has to answer the question.

    Halloween math activities for 3rd 4th and 5th grade kids

    You can also award 5 score points to every right answer. Once all the questions have been answered by kids. You can add all their scores and announce which team has won.

    All the numbers from 1 to 12 on the first slide are clickable and linked to that specific question number slide. There is a Home button on every question slide to access the main Questions slide which makes it an interactive and super fun game that kids enjoy.

    The 12 questions allow you to complete the activity in one go with your class. But it only uses 6 digit numbers. You can use it for fast finishers or as centers digital activity.

    Halloween math activities for 3rd 4th and 5th grade kids

    Oh and just in case if you are looking for a fun and engaging activity to to teach decimals this week, check out Free adding and subtracting decimals activities 5th grade.

    Want more join in for some Insider Fun!