Simple Coin Sorting

There is something about sorting coins that is just waaaay too much fun for me!  I remember sorting and rolling coins as a kid to earn some extra money.  My parents figured if I was patient enough to roll the change, then I deserved the money!  Ha!  Looking back, it was a genius idea…it kept me busy and quiet for hours!!  So, here’s my little nod to my parent’s being geniuses with this simple coin sorting tray!

What you’ll need:

• Empty Container with a Plastic Lid
• Coins
• Scissors
• Marker (I used a sharpie)
• Paper
• Tape

Start by making four rectangles on the top of your lid.  I moved the rectangles off to the right so that I could add labels on the left hand side.

These plastic lids bend easily.  Bend it in half and you can cut out the rectangles.  It’s okay if it’s not perfectly cut, but be sure that it is big enough for the intended coin to slide through!

I made small signs with the coin value and taped them next to each slot.  Then, I taped real coins to a small paint swatch that I had lying around the house, and wrote the value for each coin.  This was my daughter’s first activity looking at a legend or key!

And, here it is!  I taped a craft stick to the back of the paint swatch and taped the craft stick to the container so that it would stand up.

So, where’s the learning??

• Sorting/Matching
• Learning that coins have value
• Identifying differences/similarities between coins
• Using a Legend or Key
• Fine motor development
• And, it’s FUN!

My daughter loved holding the coins up to the key and then putting the coin in the proper slot.  She was thrilled when she got it right!  It’s a wonderful way to extend the love she has for her cash register, too!!  I dare you to make one and not try it yourself….there’s something very soothing about sorting coins…but, then again, maybe it’s just from all of the sorting that I did as a kid!

Your Turn!

Do you love coins as much as I do?

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