Let’s talk about money. As a hardworking parent, you know the value of it. That’s why when you pick your child up from school and they ask if you can stop at Target on the way home, your immediate answer isn’t always yes. It may seem like your child doesn’t have a “money mind” yet, however that’s just not true. Does he or she have a piggy bank at home? My students do. I’m willing to bet there’s not more than a couple dollars in there, but whatever there is saved, it’s heavily guarded not to be touched by siblings, pets, and especially parents (or homeschool teachers!). Kids love money, and from an early age learn to differentiate a penny from a nickel, dime, and quarter. Likely, your child already knows how much each coin is worth. This sets you up for the ultimate fun, money, challenge for some hands-on math action.

Materials: – Suggestion: 61 cents (3 dimes, 5 nickels, and 6 pennies) – a paper – a pencil Grade Level: Suggestion is based on 1st grade math standards. For older students, add quarters or even dollars to this activity.

Below are two activities for you to try, one addition and one subtraction. Before you begin, make sure to review with your child each coin’s name and amount its worth.

Activity 1: How many combos? (Addition)

Write down a number at the top of your child’s piece of paper. I would start with a low number, like 7, to get them started. Tell them that their job is to use the coins in front of them to make 7 cents. They can use any combination of coins. Once they find the nickel and 2 pennies, congratulate them on adding money and ask them to write the number sentence they just created! You might need to help them start by writing ____ + _____ + _____= 7 on their empty sheet of paper to fill in the blanks.

Increase the amount in your next problem by choosing a slightly higher number, like 11. Allow your child to explore how to make the number again using the coins.

Once your child has gotten a chance to use all the coins, challenge them to create as many different combinations of coins as possible to make one single number. For example, for the number 26, your child might at first choose 5 nickels, adding them together to make 25, then an additional 1 penny. Another combination could be 1 dime, 3 nickels, and 1 penny. A third combination could be 2 dimes, 1 nickel and 1 penny. (There’s even more combinations!) This is exciting, because your child gets to discover new patterns and combinations as he or she completes each number! There’s not “one right answer” for any given problem, allowing your child the space to take risks, and creatively problem solve.

Continue to have your child write down number sentences as you go, to develop an understanding for mathematical equations. This is a great activity for many reasons, one being that often kids don’t have much hands-on experience transferring physical amounts to a written expression. This activity allows your child to build expression writing skills with groups numbers of 1s, 5s, and 10s.

Activity 2: Sub(traction) Shop!

Take a toy your child has lying around nearby (seriously, any toy!) and tell them you are going to buy it from them. Make up a number that is less than the number of coins you have (61 cents or however much). Maybe you’re going to buy their barbie doll for 25 cents. Or in my case, I first purchased a playdough box for 13 cents then a playdough ice cream cone for 38 cents. Instead of paying with the correct amount however, count out a higher number and hand it over to your child (make sure there is enough coins left for the change). Explain to your child that you only had those coins in your pocket that day and then ask for change. Your child might need to write down what you paid them, and then a reminder on how much the item cost to begin with! But once there is a number sentence written on the piece of paper, he or she can use their mathematical abilities to calculate how many cents you are owed back, and in what combination of coins!

After this first purchase, your child likely will enjoy picking out items (toys) themselves for you to buy. Have your child this time pick how much each item should cost. The more you can make this their choice, the more engagement your child will have. I love this activity because it’s the perfect combination of play and math, and who knows? Maybe this will help them one day with that career in Sales!