MAKING CHANGE GAME

Basic Game:

Materials:
  • 2 dice
  • a $1 bill, 6 quarters, 2 dimes, and 2 nickels for each player
  • 1 Making Change Game Chart (Game Master 17)
Number of Players:

Two (2) or Three (3)
Directions:
There is no money in the bank at the beginning of the game.  Players take turns rolling the dice and depositing the corresponding amounts of money in the bank.

There are two ways in which children can determine the amounts they are to deposit.  In second grade, children can look up the amounts on Game Master 17.  In third grade, children can roll the dice and multiply the total number of dots on the dice by 5 cents.

At the beginning of the game, children will be able to count out the exact amounts.  Later, they will need to make change from the money in the bank if they don't have the exact amounts.  The first player without enough money to put in the bank wins.

NOTE:

It is recommended that in Grade 2, children use the Making Change Game chart on Game Master 17.  Since 3 such charts fit on one page, you'll need to make only a third as many copies.

 

Game Variations:

  1. Use two different-colored dice to represent nickels and dimes.  Each player needs to start with three $1 bills in addition to the coins.
  2. Use three different-colored dice to represent nickels, dimes, and quarters.  Each player needs to start with six $1 bills and one $10 bill in addition to the coins.