This hands on math activity reinforces two-digit addition using money. Like all our awesome math activities, this takes minimal set-up and uses materials you already have around the house! You only need a muffin tin and some spare change!
Muffin Tin Money Math
- Use scrap paper to write out 12 different amounts of money. The examples here are all under $1, but you can include larger amounts for an extra challenge.
- Sort spare change into containers, including one container for each type of coin you want to use. You can use real coins or play coins, but we recommend using the real deal. If you chose a play option, try to find one that is to scale.
- If coin names and values are new for your child, label the containers with the type of coin and its value. This visual cue will help as your child is working the addition, and it’s good reading practice as well.
- Have your child figure out what coins add up to each amount and place those coins in the muffin tin.
- When your child has finished, count the coins out together to check them and reinforce the addition facts.
- For an added challenge, have your child come up with two different ways to make some of the amounts.
We did this activity as a team effort with two children working together, and it was a hit! They quickly discovered that each of them could think of more than one combination of coins, and they made a new game out of trying to predict each other’s solutions! That’s just one of many extensions and variations you and your children can make from this activity, so have fun and be creative!
Browse our blog for more simple, hands on activities to help your child learn and grow!
Muffin Tin Money: Hands On Money Math Activity