X Tables
Times Tables Real Life

Counting Coins 5 times table adventure

A story-led page turning counting coins into a junior adventure for practising the 5 times table.

Quick answer

By counting coins in groups of 5, you can learn the 5 times table and see how it works in real life!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to count in 5s using coins and solve real-life problems using the 5 times table. Success signs:
  • You can count 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100
  • You can use 5p coins to show 5 x 3 = 15
  • You can solve problems like "How many 5p coins do I need to make 40p?"
  • You can play a game with 5p coins and count how many you have

Why this matters

Counting coins helps you learn the 5 times table in a fun and practical way. When you play with 5p coins, you are learning how 5s work in real life. You use this skill when:
  • Buying sweets or toys
  • Counting your pocket money
  • Sharing coins with friends
  • Helping your parent shop
  • Playing games that use money
This makes the 5 times table easy and useful, not just a boring list of numbers.

How it works

Counting in 5s is like jumping on a number line, but each jump is 5 steps.
  1. Start at 0
  2. Jump 5 steps to get to 5
  3. Jump 5 more steps to get to 10
  4. Jump 5 more steps to get to 15
  5. Keep jumping 5 steps to count 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100
You can also think of it as making groups of 5 coins. If you have 3 groups of 5p coins, you have 15p in total.

Examples you can see

Here are some real-life examples of counting coins in 5s: Example 1: 5p coins in a piggy bank You have 4 coins of 5p each. How much money do you have?
  • 1 group of 5p = 5p
  • 2 groups of 5p = 10p
  • 3 groups of 5p = 15p
  • 4 groups of 5p = 20p
So, 4 x 5 = 20p Example 2: Shopping with 5p coins You want to buy a sweet that costs 35p. How many 5p coins do you need?
  • 5p + 5p + 5p + 5p + 5p + 5p + 5p = 35p
  • That's 7 groups of 5p
So, 35 ÷ 5 = 7 coins Example 3: Collecting coins You collect 5p coins and want to know how much 12 coins are worth.
  • 12 groups of 5p = 60p
So, 12 x 5 = 60p

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The 5p Coin Hunt! You are going on a treasure hunt to find 5p coins in your house. Each room has a different number of 5p coins hidden.
  • Room 1: 2 coins
  • Room 2: 3 coins
  • Room 3: 4 coins
  • Room 4: 5 coins
  • Room 5: 6 coins
You need to count how many 5p coins you found in total. How much money do you have? Room 1: 2 coins = 2 x 5 = 10p Room 2: 3 coins = 3 x 5 = 15p Room 3: 4 coins = 4 x 5 = 20p Room 4: 5 coins = 5 x 5 = 25p Room 5: 6 coins = 6 x 5 = 30p Total money: 10p + 15p + 20p + 25p + 30p = 100p = £1 You found 100p, or £1 in 5p coins!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Counting 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 but skipping numbers
    Why it happens: Getting confused about counting in 5s
    Fix: Use your fingers or draw dots to help count in 5s
  • Mistake: Thinking 5 x 5 = 25, but getting 5 x 5 = 30
    Why it happens: Confusing 5 x 5 with 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 25
    Fix: Count 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 to check your answer
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 x 5 = 0
    Why it happens: Thinking you need coins to make a total
    Fix: Remember: 0 groups of 5p = 0p
  • Mistake: Counting 5p coins and getting the total wrong
    Why it happens: Not counting carefully or losing track
    Fix: Use a table to count and add up

Parent and carer guide

Here's how you can help your child learn the 5 times table with coins:
  • Give your child a pile of 5p coins and ask them to count how many coins make 25p
  • Play a game: "How many 5p coins do you need to make 45p?"
  • Use real coins to show that 5 x 4 = 20p
  • Encourage them to make a chart with 5p coins and write the multiplication facts
  • Ask questions like "If you have 6 coins, how much do you have?"
  • Use the 5 times table to help with other math like division or money problems
You don't need to be a maths expert. Just ask questions, play games, and be patient. It's okay to make mistakes – that's how we learn!

Practice questions

  1. How much money is 7 coins of 5p?
  2. If you have 10 coins of 5p, how much do you have?
  3. How many 5p coins do you need to make 55p?
  4. What is 5 x 8?
  5. How much is 12 coins of 5p?
Answers:
  1. 7 x 5 = 35p
  2. 10 x 5 = 50p
  3. 55 ÷ 5 = 11 coins
  4. 5 x 8 = 40
  5. 12 x 5 = 60p

FAQ

What is the 5 times table?

The 5 times table is counting in 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100.

How can I practice the 5 times table?

You can practice by using 5p coins, counting in 5s, or playing games with 5s.

Why is the 5 times table useful?

The 5 times table helps with money, time, and counting in everyday life.

What if I forget the 5 times table?

You can count in 5s, use your fingers, or draw dots to help you.

How can I make learning the 5 times table fun?

You can play coin games, use real money, or count 5s in your daily life.