1st grade math · Printable practice

1st Grade Addition Word Problems

Print short addition word problems with totals within 20 and separate answers. Simple joining stories, space to work, and no signup required.

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1st Grade Addition Word Problems

Read each story. Write an addition equation and find the total.

Name: ____________________   Date: __________

  1. 1.

    Mia has 11 shells. She finds 6 more. How many shells does she have now?

  2. 2.

    There are 11 birds in a tree. Then 4 more arrive. How many birds are in the tree now?

  3. 3.

    Sam puts 13 blocks in a box, then adds 7 more blocks. How many blocks are in the box?

  4. 4.

    A basket has 9 red apples and 5 green apples. How many apples are there altogether?

  5. 5.

    Mia has 5 shells. She finds 6 more. How many shells does she have now?

  6. 6.

    There are 6 birds in a tree. Then 10 more arrive. How many birds are in the tree now?

  7. 7.

    Sam puts 4 blocks in a box, then adds 2 more blocks. How many blocks are in the box?

  8. 8.

    A basket has 10 red apples and 8 green apples. How many apples are there altogether?

  9. 9.

    Mia has 13 shells. She finds 5 more. How many shells does she have now?

  10. 10.

    There are 4 birds in a tree. Then 13 more arrive. How many birds are in the tree now?

  11. 11.

    Sam puts 13 blocks in a box, then adds 4 more blocks. How many blocks are in the box?

  12. 12.

    A basket has 9 red apples and 3 green apples. How many apples are there altogether?

Print at actual size or 100%. Answer keys start on a new page. Changing the set changes the order and selection; familiar facts may appear again.

Try one together

A worked example

Mia has 6 shells. She finds 4 more. How many shells does she have now?

Answer: 10 shells

The story joins two groups: 6 + 4 = 10. Include shells in the answer to show what is being counted.

How to use these worksheets

These are short joining stories, not a full collection of every word-problem structure. Have the learner draw the two groups or write an equation before solving. Read the story aloud if reading is getting in the way of the math.

Watch for this

Ask the learner to explain what each number represents. Choosing an operation from one keyword can fail on other kinds of stories.

Choose the next skill

Use easier facts for a warm-up, or connect this skill to another kind of question.

Mix addition and subtraction in one worksheet →

Printing and practice questions

Are the worksheets and answer keys free?

Yes. Generate and download these individual worksheets without an account. You can use them at home, in your classroom, or with your tutoring students.

Can I make a different worksheet next time?

Choose New questions for another set. Save settings remembers the question count, paper size, and answer-key choice on this device. It does not store learner names or progress.

Will this print on my paper size?

Select A4 or US Letter before downloading. Print the PDF at actual size. You can omit the answer key, or print only the question pages for learners.

What should I do if the questions are too difficult?

Start with six questions and work through the example together. Use the linked prerequisite skills or physical counters before trying another set. These are practice materials, not a diagnostic assessment.

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