Pancake Day Maths: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 2

Pancake Day Maths is a free printable worksheet for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Toppings and sharing. It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, a growing library of free 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 the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown-up: it has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea, and the answers. Print it at home or in the classroom. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

This worksheet includes numbered questions with space to answer.

A look at what children will meet:

  • 12 pancakes are shared between 2 plates. How many on each plate?
  • Sam eats 4 pancakes. Lola eats 3. How many in all?
  • There are 20 strawberries. 10 are eaten. How many are left?
  • There are 15 pancakes. 5 are eaten. How many are left?
  • 4 children each get 2 lemon slices. How many slices?
  • What is half of 16 pancakes?

Who this is for

Year 2 (ages 6 to 7) in Key Stage 1.

Key Stage 1 covers Years 1 and 2, ages 5 to 7. Children are building secure foundations in reading, writing and number, and short playful practice at home helps those foundations stick. Use it at home, in class, on a rainy afternoon or at a family gathering.

What children practise

  • Adding
  • Sharing
  • Times tables

Practise adding, taking away, sharing and simple times tables with pancake stories.

Learning focus and curriculum link

Subject: Maths. Key stage: Key Stage 1. It supports the subject at this level through short, focused practice.

This sheet is a practice and play activity. It supports classroom learning and is not a replacement for it.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
  2. Read each question aloud. Drawing pictures can help.
  3. Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice.
  4. Check against the notes on page 2 and the answers.
  5. Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.

If it feels too hard

Use counters or real objects to act out each story.

To stretch confident children

Write your own pancake word problem.

Make it a game

Make pancakes together with a grown-up and count the toppings.

Tips for parents and teachers

  • Print on plain A4 paper. Black and white printing works too.
  • Work through it together the first time, then let children try alone.
  • Praise effort and thinking, not only correct answers.

A screen-free maths activity for Year 2

Children spend a lot of time on screens. This is a screen-free maths activity that needs only paper and a pencil. It works as quiet time after school, a rainy day activity, a holiday boredom buster or a calm moment before bed. Screen-free learning gives eyes a rest and gets children talking, thinking and writing by hand.

Free maths resources for teachers

Teachers can use this worksheet as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a supply teacher resource, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The learning focus and skills are listed above so you can match it to your planning, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.

Maths ideas for parents at home

You do not need to be a teacher to use this. Read the sheet through, sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work better than long sessions. If you are looking for free maths worksheets for Year 2, or simple home learning for the weekend or school holidays, this is a good place to start.

Home education and tutoring

Home educators and tutors can print this as part of a wider maths plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Because the sheet is free and printable, you can use it again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.

Why it helps children learn

Hands-on, paper based activities slow learning down in a good way. Children read carefully, think before they answer and see their own progress on the page. Games and challenges add a reason to keep going. That mix of play and practice is why printable activities like this are popular with parents, teachers and home educators.

Curriculum links for teachers

This sheet supports the areas below. It is matched to the published England frameworks. Please check it against your own school plan.

Framework Subject or area Strand Year
National Curriculum (England) Maths Addition and subtraction Year 2
National Curriculum (England) Maths Multiplication and division Year 2

What children will be able to do

  • I can add and take away in pancake stories.
  • I can share pancakes into equal groups.
  • I can use times tables to count pancakes.

Check it worked

Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.

  1. How many pancakes would there be if each plate had two?
  2. How did you share the pancakes fairly?
  3. Which sum did you find tricky, and why?

Play it for real

Jaques of London has made games and toys since 1795. These go well with this sheet:

More like this

Same subject, one year up: Shut the Box | Same subject, one year down: Number Hunt Around the House

Frequently asked questions

What age is Pancake Day Maths for?

It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1.

What will children practise?

Practise adding, taking away, sharing and simple times tables with pancake stories.

How do I use it?

Read each question aloud. Drawing pictures can help.

What if it feels too hard?

Use counters or real objects to act out each story.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use.

Is Pancake Day Maths suitable for teachers to use in class?

Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing.

Is this a screen-free activity?

Yes. It is a screen-free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.

Can I use it for home education?

Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan. It is free to print again for brothers, sisters or revision.

How long does it take?

Most children finish page 1 in 10 to 20 minutes. The notes on page 2 suggest ways to make it shorter or longer.

Do I need to print in colour?

No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.

More free printables

More for Key Stage 1 | More maths printables | Free printable games | All Mini Minds Hub resources