Counting money is an activity that kids can easily take an interest in, and is something that we want to encourage. Doing this in a visual, hands-on way is best for learning. However, we don’t always want to give our kids access to tons of real money to practice this. Here is a super simple and cheap to make counting money busy bag that is great for big kids who want to learn how to count money.
Make a Counting Money Busy Bag
What you need:
jumbo popsicle sticks
clothespins
marker or pen
coin stickers
What to do:
Affix coin stickers to the ends of clothespins.
Write on the top of the sticks with different money values (we did the values up to $1.00)
Make one stick with the different coin values on it to first practice the values of each coin.
Additional tips for learning:
- Show your child how there are a number of different combinations of coins to make a certain value
- Talk about how the size of the coin doesn’t indicate more value. Create a stick that promotes sorting the coins by value size rather than coin size
- Use a stick of dimes or a stick of nickels to practice counting by 10s and 5s
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- Coin Values to start with
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- Arranging values
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- Plastic bags make for easy storage!
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- Before bedtime learning
We love to use busy bags for so many different activities. They are perfect for quiet time while younger children are napping, long car or airplane rides, church, doctors office waiting rooms…just about anywhere.
You can store this money busy bag in a pencil pouch or just a ziplock bag, throw it into your purse and go!
More Busy Bags for Big Kids
Busy bags are fantastic for toddlers and preschoolers, but that doesn’t mean that bigger kids won’t like them too! And you can definitely make them on the cheap, Like a Bubbling Brook has some tips. Here are some other busy bag ideas for the 4-6 year old range:
Game Day Busy Bag: DIY Football Field Puzzle
Love it! This is going to be perfect for my 1st grader!