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.
- 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.
- 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.)
MORE: Counting Activities for Kids
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:
Aly in Va. says
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".
dongdong says
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?
Shan says
That IS amazing! Good activity idea too. Wish we had some coins. 😉
ellen says
wow. he is such a math rock star!