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Christmas Fractions Treats: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Christmas Fractions Treats is a free printable fractions worksheet for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children share out mince pies, chocolates, candy canes and other festive treats by finding a fraction of an amount. They work with unit fractions and non unit fractions, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
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
Each question is a short Christmas treat story. Children are given a set of treats and a fraction, then work out how many that fraction stands for. The fractions include halves, quarters, thirds, fifths and tenths, and some questions ask for two thirds or three quarters. One question asks children to compare two fractions of the same cake. There is space under each question to write an answer.
- 12 mince pies. Half are eaten. How many are left?
- What is 1/4 of 20 chocolates?
- What is 1/3 of 12 sweets?
- What is 3/4 of 8 mince pies?
- What is 1/5 of 15 candy canes?
- 2/3 of 9 gingerbread men have icing. How many have icing?
- Which is bigger, 1/2 or 1/4 of the same cake?
- What is 1/10 of 30 crackers?
A worked example
2/5 of 35 clementines are put in a bowl. How many clementines are in the bowl?
This is a different question from the sheet. It shows two ways children can work.
Method 1: divide, then multiply- The bottom number is 5, so split 35 into 5 equal groups.
- 35 ÷ 5 = 7, so each group has 7 clementines. That is 1/5.
- The top number is 2, so take 2 groups. 2 × 7 = 14.
- Draw 35 small circles in 5 rows of 7.
- Check that every row has the same number.
- Circle 2 rows and count the circles inside. There are 14.
Why use Christmas treats for fractions?
Fractions of amounts are easier to understand when the amount is a set of things you can picture. A plate of mince pies or a box of chocolates can be shared into equal groups, and each group is a fraction of the whole. The bottom number tells you how many equal groups. The top number tells you how many of those groups to take.
Children first meet fractions of quantities in earlier years. In Year 4 they keep building on this, using harder fractions and solving problems where a non unit fraction of an amount gives a whole number. At the same time they work with equivalent fractions and with adding and subtracting fractions that share a bottom number. Festive sharing gives all of this a familiar setting.
Skills and curriculum link
- Unit fractions of amounts
- Non unit fractions of amounts
- Division facts
- Equal sharing
- Reasoning and explaining
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 | Fractions | Year 4 |
What children will be able to do
- I can find a unit fraction of an amount.
- I can find a non-unit fraction of an amount.
- I can share treats fairly.
Ideas to help with fractions of amounts
- The bottom numberIt tells you how many equal groups to split the amount into. Divide the amount by this number to find one group.
- The top numberIt tells you how many of those equal groups to take. For a unit fraction the top number is 1, so one group is the answer.
- Draw itSketch the treats and circle them in equal groups. A picture makes the division easy to see and easy to check.
- Check by adding backIf you find one part, putting all the equal parts together should make the whole amount again. This is a quick way to catch a slip.
Key words
- FractionA part of a whole or of a group, made by splitting into equal parts.
- NumeratorThe top number of a fraction. It tells you how many parts you are talking about.
- DenominatorThe bottom number of a fraction. It tells you how many equal parts the whole is split into.
- Unit fractionA fraction with 1 on the top, such as 1/6.
- Non unit fractionA fraction with a top number bigger than 1, such as 3/8.
- Equal groupsGroups that each hold exactly the same number of items.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the first question together. Ask your child to picture the treats before they start.
- Encourage them to draw the items and circle equal groups. Divide by the bottom number first, then think about the top number.
- Check with page 2. Ask, "How did you work that out?" The reasoning matters as much as the answer.
- Come back another day and try again. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use real objects such as coins or counters. Share them into equal groups, one at a time, like dealing cards. Say what each group is worth, for example "one of four equal groups is one quarter". Try the questions with halves and quarters first.
To stretch confident children
Write your own fraction question about a party plate. Choose an amount and a fraction that give a whole number answer. Swap with a friend and solve each other's. Then try to explain how you chose your amount.
Make it a game
Share a bowl of treats, such as raisins or counters, between family members. Before sharing, each person says what fraction they expect to get. Then share fairly and check whether everyone's fraction was right.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child divides the amount by the top number instead of the bottom number.
Try thisDraw the whole amount first. Ask how many equal groups the fraction names. The bottom number is the number of groups.
Watch forFor 3/4 of 24, a child finds one quarter and stops.
Try thisAsk how many quarters are needed. Find one quarter, then multiply it by the top number.
Watch forA child draws groups that are different sizes and gets an answer that does not fit.
Try thisCount each group together. Every group must hold the same number of items. Redraw until they match.
Talk about it
- How did you decide how many equal groups to make?
- What does the bottom number tell you? What does the top number tell you?
- How can you check that your groups are fair?
- Which question did you find easiest, and why?
- Can you think of a time you shared food into equal parts at home?
- How is finding a third different from finding two thirds?
Take it off the page
Treat plate drawings
Draw a plate with a set of treats on it. Circle equal groups and write the fraction under each circle. Ask someone to guess how many are in each group.
Counter sharing
Use buttons or counters as pretend treats. Pick a number that shares equally, then split it into halves, quarters or fifths. Write each result as a fraction sentence.
Paper strip folding
Fold paper strips into equal parts and colour some of them in. Say the fraction out loud, then match it to a set of counters.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first question, then let them lead. If they get stuck, ask them to draw the treats and circle equal groups. Praise the thinking, not only the answer.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider maths plan. It pairs well with real sharing at snack time, and it can be printed again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before this sheet, children share objects into equal groups and find simple fractions such as a half and a quarter of a set. They also build the division facts that make finding one part of an amount quick.
Alongside this sheet in Year 4, children work with equivalent fractions and add and subtract fractions that share a bottom number. Later in Key Stage 2, they compare and add fractions with different bottom numbers and link fractions to decimals.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did you find one quarter of 12?
- What do you do next to find three quarters?
- How can you check your answer?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Christmas Fractions Treats for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. Children in nearby year groups may also enjoy it, either as a challenge or as extra practice.
- What will children practise?
They find unit and non unit fractions of amounts. This uses division, equal sharing and reasoning, set in a Christmas treats theme.
- What is the difference between a unit and a non unit fraction?
A unit fraction has 1 on the top, such as 1/5. A non unit fraction has a larger top number, such as 2/5. For a non unit fraction, find one part first, then take the number of parts shown.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use real objects such as coins or counters and share them into equal groups. Start with halves and quarters, and ask your child to draw and circle the groups. Come back to the harder questions later.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it suits quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Drawing and talking through each question keeps children thinking.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has the answers and support ideas.
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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.