How to teach subtraction and addition in an interesting way to a first grader?

How about a chalk board for actual numbers, and small objects on a table for examples? One could even be a snack he gets to eat when subtracted. Near the end, of course.

Is first grade the one for memorizing multiplication tables, or is that a little later? Even though I am 66, I still remember looking for an easy way out of it, and then finally just buckling down. First real work of a child's academics. I invented little pictorial ways of memorizing. 6 was 6 Buddhist monks in saffron robes, and 8 was a figure 8 on ice, and I put them together. Worked for me.

CB, snack or small objects... so simple!:) Will try that. Thank you joypulv I respect you for what you're doing to me and my kid.