X Tables
Pocket Money Maths

Maths hiding in pocket money: shop role play

Use pretend prices, totals and change.

Quick answer

Maths hiding in pocket money: shop role play means using pretend prices, totals, and change to learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, and money skills through play.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to use pretend shopping to practice adding up prices, calculating totals, and working out change – all while playing with your pocket money. Success signs:
  • You can add up the prices of 3 or more items
  • You can work out how much change you should get
  • You can pretend to be a shopkeeper and give correct change
  • You can play shop with a friend or family member

Why this matters

Shopping is full of maths! When you go to the shops, you need to count money, add prices, and check if you have enough. Playing shop at home helps you learn these skills without pressure. It’s like a game, but you’re learning real-life maths that you’ll use every day.

How it works

Playing shop with pocket money helps you learn maths in fun ways:
  1. Choose items with pretend prices
  2. Add up the prices to find the total
  3. Give your pocket money to pay
  4. Work out how much change you get
  5. Try being a shopkeeper too

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you have £2.50 in pocket money. You want to buy:
  • A pencil for 45p
  • A sticker for 25p
  • A small toy for 75p
Step 1: Add up the prices 45p + 25p + 75p = 145p = £1.45 Step 2: Work out how much change You gave £2.50 Total cost is £1.45 Change = £2.50 - £1.45 = £1.05 You get 105p back, or £1 and 5p. Real-world example: You are at a toy shop. You have £5. You want to buy a book for £2.30 and a pen for £1.20. How much do you spend in total? How much change do you get? Answer: Total = £2.30 + £1.20 = £3.50 Change = £5.00 - £3.50 = £1.50

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Pocket Money Shop You are the shopkeeper at the "Pocket Money Shop". You have these items:
  • Biscuits for 30p
  • Chocolate bar for 50p
  • Toy car for £1.20
  • Colouring book for 75p
You have 5 customers today. Each customer buys 2 items. You need to work out how much each customer pays and how much change they get. Customer 1: Buys a chocolate bar (50p) and a colouring book (75p) Total = 50p + 75p = 125p = £1.25 If they give £2, change = £2 - £1.25 = £0.75 Customer 2: Buys biscuits (30p) and a toy car (£1.20) Total = 30p + £1.20 = £1.50 If they give £2, change = £2 - £1.50 = £0.50 Customer 3: Buys a chocolate bar (50p) and a toy car (£1.20) Total = 50p + £1.20 = £1.70 If they give £2, change = £2 - £1.70 = £0.30 Customer 4: Buys biscuits (30p) and a colouring book (75p) Total = 30p + 75p = 105p = £1.05 If they give £1, change = £1 - £1.05 = -5p (they need to pay 5p more) Customer 5: Buys a toy car (£1.20) and a colouring book (75p) Total = £1.20 + 75p = £1.95 If they give £2, change = £2 - £1.95 = 5p

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Adding 45p + 25p = 60p
    Why it happens: Confusing pence and pounds
    Fix: Remember 100p = £1, so 45p + 25p = 70p
  • Mistake: Thinking you can't pay with £1 if the total is £1.20
    Why it happens: Not understanding change
    Fix: If you pay £1 and the total is £1.20, you still owe 20p
  • Mistake: Forgetting to add the pence when working with pounds and pence
    Why it happens: Not lining up the decimal points
    Fix: Always write amounts like £1.45 and £2.00 to make it easier
  • Mistake: Giving too much change
    Why it happens: Not counting backwards properly
    Fix: Use a number line or count backwards from the amount given to the total

Parent and carer guide

Playing shop with pocket money helps your child learn maths naturally. Here’s how to help:
  • Use real coins and notes to make it more realistic
  • Let your child be the shopkeeper sometimes – it helps them learn to check totals
  • Start with simple prices like 20p, 30p, 50p
  • Ask questions like "How much would 3 pencils cost?" to build thinking skills
  • Don’t worry if they make mistakes – they're learning!
  • Keep it fun and short – 10-15 minutes is enough
  • Use your child's own pocket money to make it personal
  • Encourage them to count out the money they need
  • Try different scenarios: buying snacks, school supplies, or toys
  • Make it a regular activity – maybe once a week

Practice questions

  1. You buy a toy for £1.50 and a sticker for 45p. How much do you spend in total?
  2. You have £3.00. You buy a book for £2.20. How much change do you get?
  3. You buy 3 pencils at 25p each. What is the total cost?
  4. You give £2.00 for a snack that costs 75p. How much change do you get?
  5. You buy a toy car for £1.80 and a game for 65p. What is the total cost?
Answers:
  1. £1.50 + 45p = £1.95
  2. £3.00 - £2.20 = £0.80
  3. 3 × 25p = 75p
  4. £2.00 - 75p = £1.25
  5. £1.80 + 65p = £2.45

FAQ

What is the best way to start playing shop with my child?

Start with simple items and low prices. Use real coins and notes to make it feel real. Let your child choose the items they want to buy.

Can I use this activity to teach multiplication too?

Yes! If your child buys 3 pencils at 20p each, you can show that 3 × 20p = 60p. This helps with understanding repeated addition.

How can I make shop role play more challenging?

Try giving your child more pocket money, using more items, or adding a "sale" where items are half price. You can also use larger amounts like £5 or £10.

What if my child gets confused with pounds and pence?

Use visual aids like coins and notes, and always write amounts clearly. For example, write £1.50 instead of 150p. Practice counting in 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 steps.

Is this activity good for all ages?

Yes! For younger children (ages 4-6), use simple prices and play with 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p coins. For older children (ages 7-12), use larger amounts, add more items, and include decimals.