See all Activities for children

Maths and money

As your child starts to understand a bit more about money, you can start using it for more maths conversations and activities. Don't forget to talk to your child about where money comes from.

View resources

Tips & ideas

  • Estimate. At the shops ask your child to estimate how much 3 or 4 items will cost together.
  • Give them small amounts of pocket money. For example, give them 50p a week and ask them what they think they can buy with it or, if they want to save for something bigger, how long will it take to reach their goal.
  • Talk about the items you buy. Ask them which are more expensive, which are cheaper, which are heavier, and which are lighter etc.
  • Explore quantities by asking them to think about how many different ways they can make £1. For example how many 10p coins do you need to make £1.
  • When you buy something, get your child to hand you the correct money and check the change with them afterwards.

What skills are we practising?

  • Identifying shapes
  • Adding
  • Subtracting
  • Multiplying
  • Dividing
  • Numbers between whole numbers
  • Place value
  • Counting
  • Estimating
  • Comparing
  • Checking
  • Problem solving and reasoning

For ideas, look at:

All external resources have been reviewed and recommended by our Parental Engagement Pedagogical team. (External links will open in a new tab).

Money activities for older primary children

Further activity suggestions from NRICH. If they are too hard, have a look at the Stage 1 resources.

Visit website

BBC Bitesize

A resource exploring coins and notes, decimals and money problems.

Visit website

Family Learning

Offering free online money games will help children with coin recognition, counting, adding and working out change.

Visit website

Advice About Talking to Children About Money

The Money Advice Service has videos and activities to help parents and carers introduce children to sensible money habits they will need as adults.

Visit website

The Maths Channel

Some useful videos about maths and money, including how to calculate change.

Visit website

Rooster Money

Help your children track pocket money, spending and saving with this app.

Visit website

More ideas for 6-9 year olds

Around the house

Games

Out and about

Books and TV