Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Advent Maths Countdown: Free Printable Planner for Year 3
- ForYear 3
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Advent Maths Countdown is a free printable maths planner for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children answer one sum for each day in early December. The sums mix addition, subtraction and times tables, so a short daily warm up keeps skills fresh in the run up to Christmas.
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. It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is for the child. Page 2 is for the grown up and has notes and answers. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children work through a countdown of daily sums, one for each day in early December. Each day has its own number and a space to write the answer. The sums use addition, subtraction and times tables. They are short enough for a quick start to the day. Children can pick a method, check their answer a second way and tick off each day as they go.
- Day 1: 34 + 25
- Day 2: 50 - 17
- Day 3: 5 x 6
- Day 4: 8 x 3
- Day 5: 62 + 19
- Day 6: 90 - 45
- Day 7: 4 x 9
- Day 8: 10 x 7
A worked example
What is 47 + 26?
This sum is not on the sheet. It shows two ways children can work.
Method 1: split into tens and ones- Split 26 into 20 and 6.
- Add the tens first: 40 + 20 = 60.
- Add the ones: 7 + 6 = 13.
- Put the parts together: 60 + 13 = 73.
- Start with 47.
- Add the 20 from 26: 47 + 20 = 67.
- Add the 6 that is left: 67 + 6 = 73.
What is Advent?
Advent is the season before Christmas in the Christian calendar. The word comes from a Latin word meaning arrival, or coming. Advent begins on a Sunday, so the start date changes from year to year. Many families count down the days with an advent calendar. Most calendars have a door or pocket for each day from 1 December to Christmas Eve on 24 December. Some add one more for Christmas Day.
A countdown gives children a reason to come back each day. One small task, done again and again, builds a habit. That suits maths facts well. A single sum takes only a minute or two, and doing a little each day helps number facts stick. Children see the days tick by while they quietly build confidence.
Advent facts for children
- The word Advent comes from a Latin word meaning arrival.
- Many advent calendars have a door for each day from 1 December to 24 December, which is Christmas Eve.
- Advent always starts on a Sunday, so the first day is not the same date every year.
- Advent calendars come in many forms, such as card, wood and fabric.
- A countdown helps us see how many days are left until something special.
Skills and curriculum link
- Mental addition
- Mental subtraction
- Times tables
- Checking answers
- Explaining thinking
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | Maths | Addition and subtraction | Year 3 |
| National Curriculum (England) | Maths | Multiplication and division | Year 3 |
What children will be able to do
- I can add and subtract with mixed sums.
- I can use my times tables to answer questions.
- I can check my answer a different way.
Maths ideas behind the sums
- Add tens, then onesSplit a two digit number into tens and ones. Add the tens together, add the ones together, then join the two answers.
- Subtract by counting upTo find the gap between two numbers, start at the smaller one. Jump up to the next ten, then on to the bigger number. Add the jumps.
- Times tables are equal groupsA times table fact tells you how many there are in equal groups. Three groups of four is the same as four groups of three.
- Check with the oppositeAddition and subtraction undo each other. You can check a subtraction by adding, and an addition by subtracting.
Key words
- SumA calculation, such as an addition or a subtraction.
- TotalThe answer when you add numbers together.
- DifferenceHow far apart two numbers are. You find it by subtracting.
- ProductThe answer when you multiply two numbers.
- Tens and onesThe two parts of a two digit number. 53 is 5 tens and 3 ones.
- InverseThe opposite operation. Subtraction is the inverse of addition.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Choose the day and read that sum aloud together. Ask your child what they notice about the numbers.
- Let them pick a method: a number line, counters, drawing or working in their head. Then they write the answer.
- Check with page 2. Ask, "How could you check this a different way?" The reasoning matters as much as the answer.
- Come back the next day for the next sum. Repeating a short routine builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use a number line or counters to check the answer. For an addition, start with the bigger number and count on in tens, then ones. For a times table sum, draw equal groups and count them in steps.
To stretch confident children
Write a word problem for one of the sums. Make it a Christmas story, such as boxes of chocolates or paper chains. Swap with a friend or grown up and solve each other's. Then check with the opposite sum.
Make it a game
Race a family member on one sum each day. Both of you work it out on scrap paper, then compare answers. The first to get it right and explain how scores a point. Tally the points on the last day.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child adds 38 and 27 and writes 515, because they added each column and wrote both answers side by side.
Try thisSplit the numbers: 30 + 20 = 50, then 8 + 7 = 15. Join them: 50 + 15 = 65. Say that the ones can make a new ten.
Watch forFor 73 take away 28, a child works out 8 take away 3 in the ones and writes 55.
Try thisCount up instead. From 28 to 30 is 2. From 30 to 73 is 43. Add the jumps: 2 + 43 = 45.
Watch forA child sees a times table sum for 6 and 4 and adds them instead.
Try thisDraw 4 groups of 6 and count in sixes: 6, 12, 18, 24. Say "groups of" aloud when you read the sum.
Talk about it
- How did you work that one out?
- Which sums did you find easiest, and why?
- How could you check this answer a different way?
- Can you spot a sum where you used a times table?
- What would you do first if the numbers were a bit bigger?
- Which method would you teach a friend?
Take it off the page
Paper chain sums
Cut strips of paper and write a sum on each one. Link them into a chain. Each day, take one link off, solve it and write the answer on the back.
Counting jar
Fill a jar with buttons or pasta shapes. Group them in twos, fives or tens. Count in groups and write the total as a times table fact.
Number line walk
Draw a long number line in chalk outdoors or tape one on the floor. Hop along it to add and subtract. Say each jump out loud.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first sum, then let them lead. One sum a day takes only a few minutes. Praise the thinking, not only the right answer.
Teachers
Use it as a December starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Pair it with an advent calendar or a countdown chain. Keep each session short. It can be used again for brothers and sisters, or for revision in the new year.
Where this fits
Before this, children add and subtract within 100 using tens and ones and a number line. In Year 2 they learn the 2, 5 and 10 times tables. This sheet brings those skills together in short mixed sums.
After this, Year 3 children add and subtract larger numbers with more formal written methods. They also learn the 3, 4 and 8 times tables. In Year 4 they cover all tables up to 12 times 12.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did you work out that answer?
- Which sums did you find easiest, and why?
- How could you check this one is right?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Advent Maths Countdown for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. Children who are a little younger or older can also use it, with extra support or a stretch task from page 2.
- What will children practise?
They practise addition, subtraction and times tables with mixed sums. They also practise mental maths, checking an answer a second way and explaining how they worked it out.
- How do I use it?
Do one sum a day as a short warm up before the day starts. Work through the first one together, then let your child try alone. Check against the answers on page 2.
- Does the countdown have to start on 1 December?
No. It is made for early December, but you can start whenever suits you. Do one sum a day in order, or save them for a few quiet moments each week.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use a number line or counters to check the answer. Try one sum at a time and talk through the steps. Come back to the harder ones another day.
- Is it free, and do I need colour?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. No colour is needed. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
- Can teachers and home educators use it?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or homework. Home educators and tutors can use it alone or in a wider plan, and print it again for revision.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.