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Maths Without Realising

You use maths when counting pocket money

A short, exciting page showing children how counting pocket money already uses money and number bonds.

Quick answer

You use maths when counting pocket money because you're adding up coins and notes, working out how much you have, and making change – all of which involve numbers, addition, and understanding how money works.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how counting pocket money helps you practice addition, number bonds, and money skills in a fun way. Success signs:
  • You can add up different coins and notes to find a total
  • You can work out how much change you should get
  • You know how to use number bonds to make amounts easier to count
  • You can imagine and play with money to solve simple problems

Why this matters

When you count your pocket money, you're not just checking how much you have – you're using maths to make decisions, solve problems, and get better at numbers. This helps you:
  • Understand how money works
  • Build confidence with numbers
  • Learn to save and spend wisely
  • Prepare for bigger maths like shopping, budgeting, and even planning a party
Whether you're at home, in a shop, or playing with your friends, maths is all around you – especially when you're counting money.

How it works

Counting pocket money is simple but powerful maths. Here's how it works:
  1. Start with coins and notes – You might have 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, and 1p coins, plus £1 and £2 notes.
  2. Group them – You can group them by value, like all the 10p coins together, or all the 1p coins.
  3. Add them up – You add the values to find the total amount.
  4. Use number bonds – If you have 20p and 30p, you know that 20 + 30 = 50, which helps you count faster.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some real-life examples of counting pocket money. Example 1: A day at the shop Imagine you have 50p in your pocket. You buy a sweet that costs 20p. How much money do you have left?
  • Start with 50p
  • Take away 20p
  • You have 30p left
Example 2: A piggy bank full of coins You have a piggy bank with:
  • 3 x 10p coins
  • 2 x 5p coins
  • 1 x 20p coin
  • 4 x 1p coins
How much do you have?
  • 3 x 10p = 30p
  • 2 x 5p = 10p
  • 1 x 20p = 20p
  • 4 x 1p = 4p
  • Total = 30p + 10p + 20p + 4p = 64p
Example 3: Sharing your money You have 60p and want to share it equally with your friend. How much does each person get?
  • 60 ÷ 2 = 30p
  • Each person gets 30p

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Money Hunt You are on a treasure hunt where you need to collect money to buy a special item. You find coins in different places:
  1. First place: 10p coin
  2. Second place: 5p coin
  3. Third place: 20p coin
  4. Fourth place: 1p coin
  5. Fifth place: 2p coin
Challenge: Add up all the coins you found. How much money did you collect? Answer: 10p + 5p + 20p + 1p + 2p = 38p Now, if the item you want costs 40p, how much more money do you need? Answer: 40p - 38p = 2p You need 2 more pence to buy the item!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Adding 10p + 5p and getting 15p – but forgetting to add the 1p coin. Why it happens: Children can get distracted and forget to count one coin. Fix: Use a finger or a small counter to keep track of each coin as you count it.
  • Mistake: Thinking 50p + 50p = 100p, but not knowing that 100p = £1. Why it happens: Children may not yet know that 100p equals £1. Fix: Use a visual aid like a £1 coin or a note to show that 100p = £1.
  • Mistake: Counting 20p + 20p = 40p, then adding 20p again and getting 60p. Why it happens: Children may double-count or misread the values. Fix: Use a number line or a chart to help keep track of what you’ve added.

Parent and carer guide

Counting pocket money is a great way to build your child’s confidence in maths. Here’s how you can help:
  • Play with coins – Let your child sort and count coins in different ways. Ask them to group by value or by size.
  • Ask questions – “How much more do you need to buy that toy?” or “Can you make 50p using different coins?”
  • Use real-life examples – When shopping, let your child count out the money they need and check the change.
  • Encourage thinking – Don’t just give the answer. Ask them to explain how they worked it out.
  • Keep it fun – Use games or pretend shops to make counting money feel like play.

Practice questions

  1. How much is 3 x 10p?
  2. You have 20p, 10p, and 5p. What is the total?
  3. How much change would you get from 50p if you spend 25p?
  4. You find 10p, 20p, 5p, and 1p. What is the total?
  5. How much is 2 x 20p?
Answers:
  1. 30p
  2. 35p
  3. 25p
  4. 36p
  5. 40p

FAQ

What is the best way to teach children about money?

Start with real coins and notes, let them play with them, and use everyday situations like shopping or sharing to make it practical.

Can counting pocket money help with learning number bonds?

Yes! When children add up coins, they often use number bonds (like 20 + 30 = 50) to make the maths easier and faster.

How can I make counting money more fun?

Try turning it into a game, like a pretend shop, or challenge your child to find different ways to make the same amount.

Is it okay to let children count money with their fingers?

Yes! Using fingers is a helpful way to count, especially for younger children. It helps them visualize the numbers.

What if my child gets confused with pence and pounds?

Use visual aids like coins and notes, and always relate pence to pounds (e.g., 100p = £1). Practice regularly and be patient!