Make ten any way you can

Math is really fun!

ADDED October 05, 2009

Length:  About 15 minutes.

Parental Involvement:  Explain the idea, help count if necessary

Kids Should Be Able to:  Count.

We like simple activities -- things that kids can do almost anywhere that help them learn almost anything.  This is why "Make ten any way you can" is one of our favorites.  All you need are some coins and people who love to count. It is a perfect game for waiting in a restaurant or at home while waiting for dinner to be made or even while your older sister is doing her homework and you want to ride bikes with her but she can't play until her homework is done.  Here is how you play...

First, you need a fist full of change (or at least a small handful.)  Spread the coins out and sort the money to see how many times you can make ten cents.  At first, some younger kids might not understand the different denominations, but this is a perfect opportunity for them to learn.  Pennies are one, of course; nickels are five cents; dimes are ten; and quarters don't really count for this game because, well, they are twenty-five cents.

When your kids are done, they can count the total amount of change you guys have or pick a new number like twenty-five and then sort the change into piles of twenty five.

This game encourages counting, learning denominations, and just plain fun.  If you don't like your kids touching "dirty" money, make sure you look at our penny cleaning post from a few days back and have fun!

Thanks to tonyjcase for use of the photo
 

ages 5 and above, good at home, good for a restaurant or public place, quick activity,

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