Learning Money Value with Pretend Play Shop Activity (Free Printable)
Teaching kids about money doesn’t have to feel like a chore! With a pretend play shop activity, you can turn financial literacy into a playful adventure. This hands-on DIY project uses free printables, real coins, and role-playing to help children grasp the value of money, practice math skills, and boost creativity. Perfect for parents and educators, this guide will walk you through setting up a shop-themed game that’s both educational and wildly fun. Let’s dive into how pretend play can unlock your child’s understanding of money!
What’s Included in the Free Printable Pack?
The Pretend Play Shop Activity Free Printable Pack comes with 4 colorful and engaging pages to make printable grocery store at home.
- Fruits and Vegetables Shop Display
- Groceries Shop Display
- Price List Page – Includes
- Basic Price List (1, 2, 5 values)
- Advanced Price List (1 to 10 values)
- Cutouts of Groceries, Fruits, and Vegetables
How to Set Up Your Pretend Play Shop
Download & Print the templates on sticker paper. Paste the shop stickers and price list on cardboard.
Print the cutouts on cardstock and cut out each item separately.
Attach Velcro dots and hooks to the items and grid areas on the shop.
Tie the cardboard setup with thread and hang it on a wall at your child’s height.
Now your interactive DIY Carboard pretend play grocery store is ready to roll!
How to Teach Money Value with Pretend Play
Level 1: Basic Transactions (Ages 4-6)
Role Play Round 1: You’re the customer and your child is the shopkeeper. Ask what you want from the shop.
Let them check the price of the stuff you asked and tell you the price.
Ask them to give the item by accepting the coin value mentioned in the price list.
Role-Play Round 2: You’re the shopkeeper. Ask your child to request items (e.g., “I want apples!”). Check the basic price list (prices 1–5) and have them pay with matching coins. Show them how to read coin numbers and values.
Level 2: Advanced Math (Ages 6-8)
Once your child masters simple coins like 1, 2, and 5, move on to the advanced price list.
Teach basic addition and subtraction like this:
- If an item costs 4, they can give 2 + 2 coins.
- Or give a 5-value coin and get 1 coin back as change.
This activity introduces kids to real-world shopping scenarios, mental math, and money handling.
Download Pretend Play Shop Activity Free Printable
Why a Pretend Play Shop Works
Role-playing as a shopkeeper or customer helps kids connect abstract money concepts to real-life scenarios to teach kids about money. By handling coins, comparing prices, and making “transactions,” they learn:
- Coin recognition: Identifying values like 1,2, and 5.
- Basic math: Adding/subtracting to hit the right price.
- Decision-making: Budgeting for what they can “afford.”
- Social skills: Communicating needs and negotiating.
What Kids Learn From This Activity
- Financial Literacy: Understanding earning, spending, and saving.
- Math Skills: Counting, addition, subtraction.
- Critical Thinking: Solving “how to pay” challenges.
- Confidence: Handling real-world tasks independently.
More Life Skills Activity To Try Out
Source: Life Skill Activities Archive
Frequently Asked Questions
How to teach kids the concept of money?
Use real coins in pretend scenarios like shopping. Start with identifying coin values and gradually introduce transactions.
When to teach kids about money?
Around ages 4–6 is ideal to begin simple concepts like coin value and counting.
How can I make teaching money fun?
Use games, role-play activities, and hands-on play like this pretend shop setup.
How to teach kids to count money?
Start with low denominations (1, 2, 5). Use addition of coins to make bigger values. Gradually teach them how to give or receive change.
What are the benefits of a pretend play shop?
It enhances math skills, language development, and real-world understanding, while encouraging creativity and imaginative play.
What is the concept of pretend play?
Pretend play is when kids role-play everyday situations. It helps them learn by imitating real life, which boosts emotional and cognitive development.
The Pretend Play Shop Activity is more than just fun—it’s a powerful, interactive way to teach kids the value of money, counting, and basic arithmetic. With real coins, visual aids, and role-play, children can build essential life skills while having a blast.
Download your free printable shop activity now and get started on a playful learning journey with your child!