Knowing how to count coins just makes sense! 

Or should we say…cents? 😉

To play this game, students will identify coins and their equivalent values in a familiar matching game setup that tests both coin recognition and skip counting skills. 

Practice Skip Counting through Counting Coins

Use this resource in your math center, as a small group activity, or a whole class exercise (see below) to practice finding the value of coins.

Players shuffle all cards and lay them face down in rows in the center of the playing area. Each player takes their turn flipping 2 cards at a time until either finds a matching value and coin(s) pair, setting the match aside to keep score. 

Scaffolding and Extension Tips + More Coin Practice 

Students who already understand the concept can review just the value cards and come up with as many alternative coin combinations as possible for each as they can. 

Support students who need help understanding the concepts by providing them with play money to use as manipulatives or a hundreds chart to use to help them skip count by the coin value, e.g. 2 nickels will be two hops of 5 of the hundreds chart. 

Use this resource as independent practice for fast finishers, and full-class learning opportunities like scoot activities, lesson reviews, formative assessments, and more.

True or False Gallery Walk

For this game, we suggest printing a set of cards you can number to match the students’ answer sheets with the cards. Mix the cards up and hang them around the room in sets of matching and unmatching coins and values to play. Working either alone or in pairs, assign students to a starting point and have them rotate through the cards (say “Scoot!,” flick lights, clap twice, etc.), recording on a numbered sheet a paper whether the sets are a match (True) or a mismatch (False) until they have completed each one.

Swat! 

During small group instruction, create a row of 5 coin cards (each with different values represented) at the top of the table and give each student a fly swatter. Say the amount from one of the visible picture cards. Students then swat the coin(s) that match the amount given. The first student to swat correctly takes the picture to keep score. The player with the most cards at the end wins!

Group Lesson 

Using your smartboard or another projection device, show 1 coin card and 4 value cards (one of them being the correct equivalent value). Ask students to choose the card that matches the coin(s), either calling on students for the answer or recording their answers on a sheet of paper.

Want more? Get our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies here! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Before You Download

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

This resource was created in collaboration with Heather Chambers, a teacher in Texas and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

You can count on us for more coin activities to keep your students engaged in money recognition: 

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