Get your students excited about money maths with Race & Spend: Counting Dollar Coins Game! This hands-on resource transforms learning into a fun-filled race as students roll, move, and count dollar coins to find the cost of everyday grocery items. It’s an engaging way to reinforce coin recognition and counting collections of Australian coins in a real-world context.

Race & Spend can be played using the included printable race track pieces or adapted for use with a toy race track from shops like Kmart or Target. With 72 colourful game cards and eight printable car pieces, the game is easily customisable and works well in small groups during maths rotations. Students will love the interactive nature of the game as they race to the finish line while practising valuable money skills.

This resource promotes both mathematical fluency and collaborative play. Teachers can extend students by introducing play money, creating challenges with $1 more or less, or setting multi-lap objectives. Whether using it as a fast-finisher task, small group warm-up, or engaging review session, this resource is a winner!

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify and count collections of Australian dollar coins
• ✅ Read and interpret prices using familiar coin representations
• ✅ Develop fluency in recognising coin values and combining them
• ✅ Use mental maths strategies to solve simple money problems
• ✅ Engage in turn-taking, listening, and cooperative gameplay

What’s Included:

• Printable race track pieces
• Detailed step-by-step instructions
• 72 money-themed game cards
  • - High and low colour versions
• Start and finish line signs (ideal for standing display frames)
• 8 car playing pieces (or substitute with small toy cars)

Materials Needed:

• Printed and prepped game components (preferably on thick card)
• Dice
• Counters (optional for marking track spaces)
• Toy cars or included car templates
• Plastic stands for start/finish signs (optional)
• Play money for extension tasks (optional)

How to Use:

1. Set up the race track using the printable pieces or a toy alternative.
2. Place game cards face down in piles along the track or use one card per space.
3. Students take turns rolling the dice and moving along the track.
4. When landing on a card pile, they flip a card, count the coins, and say the cost aloud.
5. If unable to count the coins, the student misses a turn.
6. First player to the finish line wins - or set a lap goal for longer gameplay.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as part of a money unit to consolidate coin recognition
• 💡 Include in maths rotations for small group skill practice
• 💡 Offer as a fun early finisher or reward game
• 💡 Create a class competition by tracking lap scores across the week
• 💡 Support struggling learners by limiting coin types used on their cards

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Print all components on thick card and laminate for durability
• 💛 Use double-sided photo stands (e.g. Ikea) for your start/finish signs
• 💛 Replace printed cars with small toy cars for extra engagement
• 💛 Set up the track before class to maximise playtime
• 💛 Encourage students to verbalise their answers to reinforce number sense

Race & Spend: Counting Dollar Coins Game is the perfect blend of movement, maths, and motivation - a fantastic way to get students counting, thinking, and learning with a smile!