By Tamika Price · Classroom & home activities

Money Activities for Kindergarten

The best financial lessons for kindergartners don't look like lessons at all — they look like play. Here are five hands-on activities that work beautifully at home or in the classroom, with no special materials required.

1. Coin Sorting Station

5–10 minutes · Pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters

Pour a handful of mixed coins onto a tray and ask your child to sort them by type. Then name each coin together and talk about what it's worth.

  • Start by sorting by appearance (size, color, image)
  • Count how many of each coin type you have
  • Introduce simple addition: "2 nickels make a dime!"

2. Pretend Store at Home

20–30 minutes · Items from around the house

Set up a little "store" on the kitchen table using toys, snacks, or household items with handmade price tags. Give your child coins to "shop" with — and take turns being the cashier.

  • Use small price tags (1¢, 5¢, 10¢)
  • Practice counting out exact change
  • Talk about making choices when you can only afford one thing

3. Three Jar System: Give, Save, Spend

Ongoing · Three clear jars

Label three jars "Give," "Save," and "Spend." Whenever your child receives money, divide it among the three jars together. Even dividing a single dollar three ways teaches the habit. For a deeper dive, see How to Teach Saving Money to a 5-Year-Old.

  • Let the child decorate their jars
  • Discuss what each jar is for and why giving matters
  • Celebrate when the Save jar reaches a goal

4. Coin Rubbing Art

10–15 minutes · Paper, crayons, coins

Place coins under a thin piece of paper and rub a crayon sideways to reveal the coin's image. As the image appears, talk about what each coin is and who is pictured on it.

  • Great for fine motor development
  • Use different crayon colors for each coin type
  • Label each rubbing with the coin's name and value

5. Lemonade Stand Role Play

30 minutes · Pretend or real lemonade

Help your child set up a simple lemonade stand — even if it's just for family members. Talk through the concepts of earning, pricing, and deciding what to do with the money earned.

  • Let them set the price (and talk about why)
  • Count earnings together after each "sale"
  • Decide together: save, spend, or give some away?

Free Printable Activity Sheets!

Every Penny adventure comes with a free printable — a coloring page plus a simple money activity, perfect for circle time or quiet learning.

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A note for teachers

All five of these activities can be adapted for a classroom setting. The pretend store works especially well as a small-group center, and the three-jar system can be introduced during a morning meeting or read-aloud using a money picture book. Pair any activity with a short Penny episode for a complete mini-lesson your students will ask to do again.

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