Counting Money
Once you know coins and notes, the next step is working out how much you actually have.
Start with the same coin
The easiest place to start is counting the same coin over and over:
Then try mixed coins
Once that feels easy, try adding different coins together:
Counting strategies
Four simple steps
- Sort the coins by value first
- Count the $1 coins one at a time
- Start with the biggest coin when it's mixed
- Check the total again to be sure
Worked example
Counting $5 + $2 + $2 + $1, starting with the biggest coin:
Lay it out and see it
Physically laying coins out on a table while counting lets a child see exactly what they're adding up — every coin is right there, instead of being an abstract number. It's simply a practical way to make counting easier to follow, not a claim backed by formal research.
Think about it
You have $5 in your Spend jar and receive another $2. How much do you have?
$7. $5 + $2 = $7.
You have three $1 coins and one $2 coin. How much is that?
$5. Three $1 coins make $3, plus the $2 coin makes $5.
You want something that costs $6. You have $4. How much more do you need?
$2 more. $4 + $2 = $6.
Older kids can take on bigger totals, more mixed denominations, working out simple change, and comparing what they have against the price of something they're saving for — which connects directly to Goals & Saving.
It's more than just maths
Counting money isn't really about arithmetic — it's about answering a question that matters: "How much do I actually have?" Knowing that is what makes real spending and saving decisions possible.
Three simple activities to try with real coins:
Give them a handful of coins and ask them to count the total.
Ask them to make a particular amount — "Can you make $5? $7? $10?"
Ask them to make the same amount in different ways — "Can you make $5 in three different ways?"
Where to next
You've now covered the first few Money Basics lessons:
Next lesson: How Much Is Something Worth?
Now that you can count money, the next step is understanding what things cost.