Emoji Day Worksheets
Emoji Number Bonds to 20
Year groups: 1
Emoji Colour by Numbers - Addition and Subtraction
Year groups: 2
Emoji Colour by Numbers - Multiplication
Year groups: 3
Coordinate Emoji (A)
Year groups: 4, 5, 6, 7
Coordinate Emoji (B)
Year groups: 4, 5, 6, 7
Coordinate Emoji (C)
Year groups: 4, 5, 6, 7
Coordinate Emoji (D)
Year groups: 4, 5, 6, 7
Emoji - Find the Value
Year groups: 6, 7
Emoji - Substitution
Year groups: 6, 7
What Are Emoji Maths Worksheets and How Do They Work?
An emoji maths worksheet presents problems where each emoji represents a specific number value. Students must use the given equations or totals to deduce what number each emoji stands for, then apply this information to solve further problems. This format introduces pre-algebraic thinking—the same logic used when solving equations like x + y = 10—but without the intimidating letters that can cause anxiety in younger learners.
Teachers frequently observe that students rush to guess values rather than using systematic elimination or substitution strategies. The most successful approach involves teaching students to look for equations with single emojis first, then use those known values to unlock others. This methodical thinking transfers directly to solving simultaneous equations at GCSE level, where the same logical progression applies.
Which Year Groups Use Emoji Worksheets?
These worksheets span Year 1 through Year 7, covering Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, and the transition into Key Stage 3. In KS1, emoji activities focus on simple addition and subtraction with low numbers, helping children understand that symbols can represent quantities. By upper KS2, the problems incorporate multiplication, division, and multi-step reasoning that mirrors algebraic problem-solving.
The progression builds systematic thinking across year groups. Year 1 pupils might work with two different emojis and totals under 20, whilst Year 7 students tackle problems involving four or five different symbols with constraints that require algebraic manipulation. This scaffolded approach means the same engaging format develops increasingly sophisticated mathematical reasoning as students mature.
How Do Emoji Code Breakers Develop Algebraic Reasoning?
Emoji code breaker puzzles require students to form and test hypotheses, use inverse operations, and apply logical constraints—the same processes mathematicians use when solving equations. When students determine that the smiley face must equal 7 because two smiley faces plus 1 equals 15, they're performing the algebraic operation 2x + 1 = 15 without realising it. This builds confidence before formal algebraic notation appears in the curriculum.
Cryptography and computer programming both rely on this type of symbol manipulation and logical deduction. Code-breaking during wartime, such as the work at Bletchley Park, used similar principles of identifying patterns and assigning values to symbols. Understanding that symbols can represent unknown values prepares students for variables in spreadsheet formulae, coding languages, and data analysis—skills increasingly vital across STEM careers.
How Can Teachers Use These Worksheets in the Classroom?
The visual nature of emoji worksheets makes them particularly effective for introducing new concepts or supporting students who find abstract mathematics challenging. Teachers can use them as low-stakes entry points to algebraic thinking, allowing students to access problem-solving without the anxiety that sometimes accompanies formal algebra. The included answer sheets enable quick marking or allow students to self-assess, building independence and metacognitive skills.
Many teachers use these worksheets for morning starter activities to warm up problem-solving skills, or as paired work where students must explain their reasoning to a partner. They work well for intervention groups who need to revisit foundational algebraic concepts in a fresh format, and as homework that parents can understand and support. The emoji format also reduces language barriers for EAL learners, as the visual symbols convey meaning without requiring extensive English vocabulary.