• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Learn / Math Activities / Coin Sorting Activity for Kids

     

    Coin Sorting Activity for Kids

    3919 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Kids are fascinated with money and will love the opportunity to play with coins. Give your child a learning opportunity to explore loose change with this fun and super simple coin sorting activity for kids that doesn't require a worksheet or pre-printed sorting mat!

    Activity Set-Up

    There are two versions of this coin sorting activity. No-prep and low-prep. Both are great choice and require little energy on your part. Take your pick.

    NOTE: This activity is not for children who will put the coins in their mouth.

    1. The no-prep way: Dump out all your change on the table, or on the floor, like I did. Then ask your kids to sort the coins. See below for ideas of different modes of sorting.
    2. The very-very, low-prep way: On a large piece of paper draw circles and label them with coin values and names. Kids sort coins accordingly. (See photo above.)

    How to Sort

    • By coin value. Pennies, dimes, etc.
    • By coin size. Line them up according to size.
    • By color. Pennies in one pile, everything else in another.
    • By picture. Show your kids the way not all nickels and quarters have the same picture on the back. If you have a lot of quarters, expect a lot of little piles!
    • By country. If you are a world travelers with a lot of foreign change, add some into the mix!
    • By year. My son LOVED sorting coins by year.

    MORE: Best Sorting Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers

    Coin sorting activity extensions

    Depending on how hands-on you want to be you can turn the coin sorting activity into a discussion about coin values, or even include a little free-style math practice if your kids are old enough. For example, show them how 1 nickel + 1 nickel = 1 dime.  

    Instead of working on a large piece of paper, set out small bowls for the coins.

    If your child is old enough, have them work out how much money they sorted!

    Personally,  I love the moments of peace which come when my kids are engaged in a solo activity!

    More activities:

    • Skip counting with coins
    • Easiest low-prep math activities
    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « Easy Phonetic Reading Game Using Simple Words
    Science Project: The Magic Jumping Coin »
    3919 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aly in Va. says

      April 08, 2009 at 1:21 pm

      We've been focusing on money this week too. Basically recognizing the different coins and their money value. I placed red price tags around the house on various things and gave her a handful of coins to make "purchases".

      Reply
    2. dongdong says

      April 08, 2009 at 1:49 pm

      Oh, that is wonderful!! I have been wanting to do to this similar activity. Isn't interesting it is almost always something we haven't really thought of the kids comes up and find it more fascinating?

      Reply
    3. Shan says

      April 08, 2009 at 4:03 pm

      That IS amazing! Good activity idea too. Wish we had some coins. 😉

      Reply
    4. ellen says

      April 11, 2009 at 2:03 am

      wow. he is such a math rock star!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 19,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.