Target Take Away

Kids learn best when they are engaged and having fun, which is why I want to introduce you to Target Take Away – A Subtraction Game. Sure, your kids have been learning at school all day, but you can help support their education by reiterating the concepts they learn at school, but in active and entertaining ways. Games are a way to trick kids into learning.

Want another fun math game? Check out Math War, which involves turning the card game War into a learning experience.

Target Take Away – A Subtraction Game

Math doesn’t have to feel like worksheets and drills. One of my favorite ways to make subtraction come alive is through a simple, hands-on activity called Target Take Away. It’s a playful math game that teaches kids the basic concepts of subtraction while keeping them active and excited.

I have a degree in education, and at one time, I had my own tutoring business. Play was one of my ways of teaching then, and it became my go-to when I had my own kids.

How Old Do You Need to Be to Play Target Take Away

This isn’t sit-down and do worksheet math. It’s a hands-on way to be learning simple math concepts. I am a teacher by trade, and I say, if they can count and identify numbers, they can play this game. It’s appropriate for preschool and kindergarten kids or older. For young kids, you could have the numbers 1-10 written out in order so they can reference counting backwards.

How to Play Target Take Away

The best part about this game is how easy it is to set up. You don’t need fancy supplies—just everyday items you already have at home.

What you need:

A target (we used chalk to draw a big target on the ground, but you could play on paper or poster board)
Counters (pebbles, beans, pennies, marbles, or paper clips)
Something to toss (a ring, small rock, coin, frisbee, or paper clip)

How it works:

Each player starts with 10 counters.
Players take turns tossing their object at the target.
The number they land on is the amount they subtract from their pile.
- Example: If your child has 6 counters and lands on 3, they take away 3. Now they can say out loud, “6 – 3 = 3.”
If they land on the line or miss the target, they get another toss.
Kids will not go into negative numbers. If they are at 6 and land on 9, it’s the other person’s turn.
The goal is to be the first to get rid of all your counters.

Why This Game Works

Kids often need to see and engage with numbers to fully understand them. Target Take Away transforms subtraction into a physical, engaging experience. They’re not just memorizing facts—they’re practicing math in a way that makes sense to them.

When kids say the math problems out loud (“You had 6, you took away 3, now you have 3”), they’re strengthening both number sense and language skills. This game also encourages problem-solving because if a child lands on a number bigger than what they have left, they can’t subtract—teaching them to think critically about numbers.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Parents often wonder how to supplement school learning at home without turning it into more “schoolwork.” The answer is simple: keep it fun and make it active. Games like Target Take Away show kids that math isn’t just something to get through at a desk—it’s a skill they can use and enjoy in everyday life.

Try playing this game outside on a sunny day for some fresh air and movement, or inside on a rainy afternoon with just paper and beans. Either way, you’re giving your child extra math practice disguised as play.

So, grab some pebbles, a target, and get ready to laugh, play, and practice math together!

Note: This idea was originally shared in an amazing book that will help you find so many different ways to make learning fun: Games for Math. (affiliate link)

Note: This game was originally shared on Meaningful Mama in 2012. The blog post was updated for better description and formatting.