Counting Coins word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Counting Coins word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this counting coins puzzle set for my 1st and 2nd graders during our money unit. The kids could identify coins but got confused when they had to add up different combinations like two quarters, a dime, and a nickel. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using coin names and values like penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), half dollar (50 cents), and mixed groups like 25+10+5, 10+10+10, and 25+25+10+5. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the coin counting finally stick.

The PDF is four pages. Three puzzles plus one answer key page. The word search works well for quiet time after recess. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether four quarters make a dollar. The crossword I use for partners with coin pictures. I added a couple simple coin pile and piggy bank drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 1st through 3rd grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write the total value of a quarter, dime, and nickel on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.