Money slime

Financial literacy starts early with helping children to recognize, count, and add coins.

Description

This activity is perfect for younger children learning about coins, and the slime is food safe!

Ages

Six to nine years old

Learning objectives

Children will:

• learn to recognize different coins
• count and add the values of coins

Materials

• Various coins that add up to $5 for each slime (one per child)
• Microwave-safe large bowl
• Large spoon for stirring
• Tray or table cloth to contain any mess
• Paper and pen

Ingredients for the slime

• Food coloring
• 1 tbsp psyllium husk (you can use Metamucil if you have it handy)
• 1 cup water

Steps

1. Make the slime. You’ll have to do this 20 min or more before you start, to let the slime cool down.
• In a large bowl, mix the psyllium husk and water.
• Add 2 to 3 drops of food colouring and mix well.
  You should already have a thicker consistency.
• Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Watch closely.
  You’ll need to pause the microwave every time the mix is about to bubble over and overflow. You can restart it after a few seconds.
• You should have slime now! Remove it from the bowl to let it cool (caution: it will be hot!).
Make sure to cook one slime at a time and do not double the recipe.
2. Hide the coins in the slime for children to find!
   Make sure to hide a variety of coins (adding up to $5) and keep them separate from each other.
3. Place the slime on a tray or table cloth.
4. Ask children to find and count the coins.
   Help the younger children recognise the difference between each coin by asking them to group them.
   Older children can record each coin on a paper and add them together at the end.
5. Check the total and help children find and recount any coins that they missed.

Bonus activities

• Add spare coins from different currencies if you have them around the house and ask children to spot the differences.
• Try adding different values of coins together in various combinations to practice addition.