Math Games: Fun Ways to Learn to Use Money

How to Practice Using Money Outside School

In 2nd grade, students usually learn to count money, including dollar bills and cents. One way you can practice at home is to give your child various combinations of change, like dimes, nickels and pennies, and have him or her count them. Repeated practice will make the process seem natural to your child, and he or she will become more comfortable handling money.

Counting money is a practical skill that your child can appreciate applying to real-world situations. When you're at the store, have your child pay the cashier. You can help him or her count out the exact payment or, alternatively, figure out how much money he or she should get back in change.

You also can reinforce these skills if you order food to be delivered. Depending on the age of your child, this can be an opportunity to practice calculating a tip. Though this is too advanced for a 2nd grader, it would be appropriate if your child is learning to multiply using decimals.

Money Games

Marketplace

Your child can develop a product, like bracelets, cookies or lemonade, and sell it to family members and neighbors. Your child will learn about handling money and making a profit. For instance, if the materials for a bracelet cost three dollars, and your child is selling them for $3, he or she won't make a profit.

Saving Up

Help your child set a purchasing goal, and then have him or her do chores around the house to earn an allowance. You might even help your child create a chart to figure out how long it will take to save enough money for what he or she wants to buy. This can increase your child's interest in working with money, as well as his or her motivation to earn it.

Matching Game

Help your 2nd grader practice counting coins by matching up equivalent amounts of money. On one side of the table, place 15 pennies. On the other side, place a dime and a nickel. Repeat this process for a few more combinations of coins. Then, have your child figure out which values on the left side match with which values on the right side.