The wizard shop money quest

Quick answer

By playing The wizard shop money quest, you learn how to use pretend money to buy items, add up prices, and work out how much change you should get.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use pretend money to add up prices, calculate change, and budget your way through a shop adventure.

• You can add up prices of items you want to buy
• You can work out how much change you should get
• You can decide which items you can afford with your money
• You can plan a shopping trip using a budget

Why this matters

Playing with pretend money helps you learn how to handle real money in shops, at the park, or when you get pocket money. It teaches you to count, add, and think about how to spend your money wisely. Whether you're buying a new toy, helping in the kitchen, or saving up for a treat, these skills help you make smart choices.

How it works

First, you choose what items you want to buy from the wizard shop. Then, you add up the prices of all your items. Next, you subtract that total from the money you have to see how much change you get. If you don't have enough money, you must choose fewer items or find a way to save more.

1. Look at the prices of items in the shop
2. Add up the prices of the items you want
3. Subtract the total from your money
4. Check if you have enough or need to change your choices

Examples you can see

Imagine you are visiting a wizard shop with 50 gold coins. Here are some items and their prices:

If you buy a spellbook and a wand, you add 12 + 15 = 27 gold coins. Then, you subtract that from 50: 50 - 27 = 23 gold coins left.

Try this: If you buy a crystal ball and a dragon egg, how much do you spend? What change do you get?

Try it as a mini adventure

The Wizard Shop Money Quest

You are a young wizard going to the wizard shop to buy magical items. You have 60 gold coins to spend. Here are the items you can choose from:

• Spellbook – 10 coins
• Wand – 15 coins
• Crystal ball – 12 coins
• Dragon egg – 25 coins
• Wizard hat – 8 coins
• Golden potion – 5 coins

Your challenge: Choose 3 items that you can afford and add up their prices. Then, work out how much change you get. If you can't afford 3 items, choose 2 or 1.

Step-by-step:

1. Choose your first item: ?
2. Choose your second item: ?
3. Choose your third item: ?
4. Add up the prices: ? + ? + ? = ? coins
5. Subtract from your 60 coins: 60 - ? = ? coins change

Try different combinations to see how much change you can get!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Adding the prices wrong. Why it happens: Confusing the numbers or forgetting to carry when adding. Fix: Use your fingers or count on a number line to double-check.
• Mistake: Thinking you can buy more than you have. Why it happens: Not checking the total against your money. Fix: Always add up first, then compare to your money.
• Mistake: Forgetting to subtract to find change. Why it happens: Thinking the total is your change. Fix: Remember: money - total = change

Parent and carer guide

Help your child by:

• Playing the wizard shop game together using real coins or paper money
• Letting them choose items and calculate the total
• Encouraging them to try different combinations to see how much change they can get
• Asking questions like: "How much more do you need to buy that wand?" or "What if you bought two crystal balls?"
• Using the real-world example of shopping at the store to reinforce the lesson

Remember: This is a fun way to learn math, so keep it light and encouraging. Don’t worry if they make mistakes – they’re part of learning!

Practice questions

1. You have 40 coins. You buy a wand (15 coins) and a crystal ball (10 coins). How much do you spend? How much change do you get?
2. You have 35 coins. You buy a spellbook (12 coins) and a dragon egg (20 coins). Can you afford both? Why or why not?
3. You have 50 coins. You buy a wizard hat (8 coins) and a golden potion (5 coins). How much change do you get?
4. You have 25 coins. You buy 3 crystal balls (12 coins total). How much do you spend? Do you have enough?
5. You have 60 coins. You buy a spellbook (10 coins), a wand (15 coins), and a dragon egg (25 coins). How much change do you get?

Answers:

1. You spend 25 coins, and get 15 coins change.
2. No, you spend 32 coins, but only have 35 coins. You can afford both.
3. You spend 13 coins, and get 37 coins change.
4. You spend 12 coins, and have 13 coins left.
5. You spend 50 coins, and get 10 coins change.

FAQ

How can I make The wizard shop money quest more fun?

You can use toys, drawings, or even a pretend shop with items from around your home. Add sounds, stories, or challenges to make it more exciting!

What if my child finds adding hard?

Use objects like counters, coins, or blocks to help them count and add. You can also use a number line or counting on fingers to make it easier.

Can I use this game to teach other math skills?

Yes! You can teach budgeting, comparing prices, and even subtraction with larger numbers. You can also introduce discounts or sales to make it more advanced.

How can I help my child with change?

Start with simple subtraction. Use real money or pretend coins. You can also use visual aids like number lines or counters to help them understand the process.

Is this game good for older kids too?

Yes! Older children can use larger numbers, calculate discounts, or even plan a shopping trip with a budget. It’s a fun way to apply math to real life.