Counting Money Game
A free game for learning to count US money. In “Count it” students add up a group of coins and bills; in “Make it” they tap coins to make an exact amount, like 47¢.
Coins are drawn to scale, so the dime really is smaller than the penny. Three levels grow from pennies, nickels and dimes up to quarters and dollar bills, from 1st through 3rd grade.
How to use it in class
- Pick a mode. “Count it” shows coins to add up, with four answers to choose from. “Make it” gives an amount to build by tapping coins.
- Pick a level. Pennies, nickels and dimes (up to 50¢), up to $1 with quarters, or bills and coins up to $10.
- Count biggest first. Coins are lined up from the biggest value to the smallest, the way students are taught to count on.
- Make it. Tap money to add it to the tray, and tap it in the tray to take it back. After a miss, the game shows one way to make the amount with the fewest pieces.
Classroom ideas
Classroom store
Put “Make it” on the board and give each item in a pretend store a price. Students come up and pay the exact amount.
More than one way
Ask students to make the same amount two different ways, like 25¢ with a quarter or with two dimes and a nickel.
Fewest coins challenge
Award a bonus point when a student makes the amount using the fewest coins possible.
Frequently asked questions
Which coins are included?
Pennies (1¢), nickels (5¢), dimes (10¢) and quarters (25¢), plus $1 and $5 bills on the highest level.
Why is the dime smaller than the penny?
Because it really is! The coins are drawn to scale, which helps students learn that a coin’s size doesn’t tell you its value.
How are amounts written?
Amounts under a dollar use the cent sign (75¢). A dollar or more uses a dollar sign and decimal point ($1.25).
Is it free?
Yes, with no sign-up. It works on phones, tablets, Chromebooks and smartboards.