Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Fish Colour by Sum: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Fish Colour by Sum is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children add two numbers within 20, find the answer in a key and colour the fish with the matching colour. It needs only a pencil and some colouring pens or crayons, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas and a stretch task.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children work out each addition sum, then look up the answer in the key to see which colour to use. They colour the fish as they go, so the picture slowly fills with colour as the sums are solved. The adding stays within 20. Children practise careful adding, reading a key and colouring neatly, all in one calm activity.
Why colour by sum works for Year 1
Adding within 20 is a big step in Year 1. Children move from counting every object to using number facts and clever strategies. They need lots of short, friendly practice to make those facts feel familiar. A colour by sum sheet gives each answer a job to do. The answer is not just a number on a page. It tells you which colour to pick up next.
Following a key is a useful early skill too. Children learn that a symbol, colour or number can stand for something else, just like on a map or a chart. The colouring also slows things down in a good way. Children stop, check the sum, find the colour and then colour. That pause makes it easier to spot a mistake before it spreads.
Fish facts to share
- Fish live in water, such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea.
- Most fish breathe underwater using gills.
- Fins help a fish steer, balance and swim.
- Many fish have scales that cover and protect their bodies.
- Fish come in a huge range of colours and patterns.
Skills and curriculum link
- Adding within 20
- Following a key
- Colouring
- Number facts
- Checking answers
Number ideas that help with adding
- Count onStart with the bigger number in your head. Then count on the smaller number, one step at a time. Fingers, counters or a number line can show each step.
- Number bonds to 10Knowing pairs of numbers that make 10 is very useful. Children can use them to build up to 10 and then add what is left.
- DoublesA double is a number added to itself. Doubles are easy to remember and can help with sums that are close to a double.
- Make a tenUse part of one number to reach 10 first. Then add the part that is left over. Counters in a ten frame show this clearly.
Key words
- AddPut two amounts together to find how many there are altogether.
- SumAn adding question, such as two numbers with a plus sign between them.
- TotalThe answer you get when you add.
- KeyA guide that tells you which colour matches which answer.
- Number lineA line of numbers in order. You can jump along it to count on.
- CountersSmall objects you can move and count to help you add.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for the grown-up.
- Look at the key together first. Ask your child what it tells them to do.
- Read the first sum aloud. Let your child choose how to work it out: fingers, counters, a number line or a quick drawing.
- Colour the picture while you check each sum. Talk about each choice and ask, "How did you work that out?"
- Check against the notes on page 2. Come back another day, because repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use counters or a number line for tricky sums. Start with the bigger number and count on the smaller one, saying each number out loud. Try the sums that feel easiest first, then come back to the harder ones. Colour only when the sum is checked.
To stretch confident children
Make up your own sums for a friend. Choose two numbers within 20, write the sum and swap papers. Or draw a new fish, make your own key with different colours and ask someone else to colour it by solving your sums.
Make it a game
Race to finish the fish. Each player has a copy of the sheet and works at the same time. Players swap papers at the end and check each other's sums. The first to finish with every sum correct is the winner.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child counts the starting number as the first step, so the answer is one too small.
Try thisSay the starting number, then count on with fingers or counters. Only the new numbers get a finger.
Watch forA child colours quickly without checking the sum, then finds the colour does not match the key.
Try thisAsk them to say the sum and the answer out loud first. Colour only when the answer is found in the key.
Watch forA child adds the wrong numbers because they lose their place in the sum.
Try thisCover the other sums with a piece of paper. Point to each number as you say it.
Talk about it
- Which sum did you find easiest? Why?
- How did you work out the answer? Can you show me another way?
- How can you check that your answer makes sense?
- What does the key help you to do?
- Which sum was the trickiest? What helped you?
- Can you make up a sum for me to solve?
Take it off the page
Fish counting
Draw or cut out paper fish in two colours. Put some in each group, count them and say the adding sentence. Then count them all together.
Number line hop
Draw a number line on paper or with chalk outside. Hop along it to show adding. Say each number as you land.
Make a fish key
Choose four colours and write a number beside each. Draw a fish, then colour its parts to match your key. Ask someone to read your key.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. Short bursts work better than long sessions. If they get stuck, offer counters or a number line and let them find the answer themselves.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas, so it works for mixed ability groups practising adding within 20.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider maths plan. It pairs well with counting games, books about sea life and everyday talk about numbers. You can print it again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in maths
Before this sheet, children count objects, learn number bonds within 10 and add small numbers using fingers, counters and number lines. Those early experiences help children understand that adding means putting amounts together.
After this sheet, children go on to use number bonds to 20 more quickly, explore subtraction within 20 and begin to work with bigger numbers. Colour by sum sheets can also lead into other ways of reading keys, charts and simple graphs.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Fish Colour by Sum for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Confident children in Reception may enjoy it with help, and some Year 2 children may like it as a quick, relaxed warm up.
- What will children practise?
Children add two numbers within 20 and match the answer to a colour using a key. They also practise colouring carefully. The sheet combines number work with a calm, creative task.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages and give page 1 to your child. Colour the picture while you check each sum. Work through it together the first time, then check against the notes on page 2.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use counters or a number line for tricky sums. Count on from the bigger number and say each step aloud. Page 2 has help for children who find it hard, so keep it handy.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or a later revision session whenever you like.
- How long does it take?
There is no set time. Children can work at their own pace, take a break and come back another day. Page 2 has notes, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children add the colour themselves using crayons, colouring pencils or felt tips, following the key on the sheet.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.