Giving Change: Games, Tips & Worksheet
Giving change means working out how much money to hand back after paying. The easiest method is to count up from the price to the amount paid, just like shop assistants do.
💰 Play the giving change game 🖨️ Printable worksheet
Tricks that make it easier
- Count up from the price: from 3.45 add 0.05 to make 3.50, 0.50 to make 4.00, then 1.00 to make 5.00. Change is 1.55.
- Use number bonds to 100 for the small units.
- Check by adding the change to the price: you should get the amount paid.
Try these
- Pay £20.00 for £5.11. Change =
Answer
£14.89 - Pay £20.00 for £4.59. Change =
Answer
£15.41 - Pay £5.00 for £3.14. Change =
Answer
£1.86 - Pay £10.00 for £4.68. Change =
Answer
£5.32 - Pay £5.00 for £1.65. Change =
Answer
£3.35 - Pay £5.00 for £4.51. Change =
Answer
£0.49
Common mistakes
- Subtracting the wrong way round.
- Forgetting to regroup when crossing a whole unit.
- Not checking the answer by adding back.
A five-day practice plan
| Day | What to do (10 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Play Money Match on this skill for 5–10 minutes. Read the explanation after every mistake. |
| Day 2 | Learn one trick from this page and use it out loud while you play. |
| Day 3 | Print the worksheet and try it without help. Mark it with the answer key together. |
| Day 4 | Play again and try to beat your personal best score or get three stars. |
| Day 5 | Mix it up: try the ⏱️ Timed test, or ask your child to explain the skill to you in their own words. |
Suits Year 3 and Year 4.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to work out change?
Count up from the price to the amount paid in easy steps.
How do number bonds help with change?
Bonds to 100 tell you how many cents or pence make up the next whole unit.
Is there a printable version?
Yes. The giving change worksheet uses your country’s currency and comes with an answer key.