Grade 3Matheasy
Counting Coins and Money Practice
This worksheet helps students practice identifying coin values, counting money, and making change with pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.
Download Free PDF
No signup required — instant download
moneycoinscountinggrade3homeschoolmathcurrencypennynickeldimequarter
Worksheet Preview
What Your Child Will Learn
- Identify the value of pennies (1¢), nickels (5¢), dimes (10¢), and quarters (25¢) by sight
- Count collections of mixed coins by skip counting and adding values together
- Calculate the total value of coin combinations up to $1.00 using proper counting strategies
- Determine correct change amounts when given simple purchase scenarios with coins
- Apply coin recognition skills to solve real-world money problems involving small purchases
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Review coin identification by having your child name each coin type and state its value before starting the worksheet
- Step 2: For counting problems, encourage your child to sort coins by type first, then count each group separately using skip counting
- Step 3: Practice the 'start big, end small' counting method - count quarters first (25, 50, 75), then dimes (85, 95), then nickels and pennies
- Step 4: For change-making problems, help your child subtract the cost from the amount paid, then figure out which coins make that difference
- Step 5: Check answers together by recounting or using a different counting strategy to verify the total amount
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Start with physical coins if possible - let students handle real pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters while working through problems to build tactile memory of size and weight differences
Teach the 'count up' strategy: start with the largest coin value first (quarters), then dimes, nickels, and pennies last, as this reduces counting errors and builds number sense
Address the common misconception that bigger coins are worth more - explicitly point out that a dime (smallest) is worth more than a nickel or penny, helping students focus on the coin's design rather than size
Use the 'touch and say' method for counting mixed coins - have students touch each coin while saying its value aloud, then keep a running total to prevent losing track of their count
Frequently Asked Questions
My child keeps confusing nickels and quarters because they're both silver. How can I help them tell the difference?
Focus on the size difference and the images on each coin. Quarters are much larger and have George Washington, while nickels have Thomas Jefferson. Practice the 'quarter sandwich' - show how a nickel fits inside a quarter with room around the edges. You can also teach the memory trick: 'Quarter is larger, worth much more.'
What's the best way to teach my third grader to count mixed coins without getting confused?
Use the 'sort first, count second' approach. Have them group all quarters together, then dimes, then nickels, then pennies. Count each group using skip counting (25, 50, 75 for quarters; then 10, 20, 30 for dimes), and keep a running total. This prevents the common mistake of counting randomly and losing track.
My child can identify coins but struggles with making change. Any suggestions?
Start with the 'counting up' method for making change. If something costs 23¢ and they pay 50¢, count up from 23¢ to 50¢: 'Start at 23, add 2 pennies to get to 25, then add 1 quarter to get to 50.' This makes change-making more concrete and visual than trying to subtract.
Should I use real coins or just the worksheet pictures when teaching money skills?
Use both! Real coins help children learn the actual size, weight, and texture differences, which makes identification easier. However, worksheet pictures are important too because they prepare students for test formats and help them recognize coins from different angles. Start with real coins, then transition to pictures.
Related Worksheets
More Math Worksheets
Related Articles
How to Teach Counting to Preschoolers: A Parent's Guide
Learn how to teach counting to preschoolers with step-by-step activities, hands-on games, and free printable worksheets that make early math fun at home.
Best Math Worksheets for Kindergarten: Building Strong Number Foundations
Discover the most effective kindergarten math worksheets that build number sense, counting skills, and early addition — plus tips for making practice fun and productive.
How to Teach Fractions to Kids: A Parent's Complete Guide
Learn how to teach fractions to kids in grades 2–5 with proven strategies, visual models, and hands-on methods that build real understanding — not just memorized rules.
Get Free Worksheets in Your Inbox
Subscribe for new worksheets and homeschool tips. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.