Pocket Riddles - Play at Home!

As our flea market is fast approaching, we are taking some time to review coin names and values, as well as adding and subtracting money. Here is one activity that we did today that can be easily done at home for practice - and the best part is that it can be easily modified for many skill levels.

I started today with a riddle about coins that I had in my pocket. "I have 12 coins in my pocket. Added together, they equal 30 cents. What coins do I have?" After an additional hint that there were just two different types of coins, Lucy came up with the correct answer - 10 pennies and two "10 cents" (or dimes). Since she figured it out, she got to come to the money chest and pick be the riddler. At first, Lucy thought to secretly pick 4 dimes, and have her riddle be, "I have four coins. They total 40 cents. What coins do I have?" but then thought her riddle may be a bit too easy. She replaced one of the dimes for two nickels, and made her riddle tricky enough for her audience.

Here are some riddles to get you started for some home practice!

I hold 4 coins. They total 61 cents. What coins do I have?
I hold 3 coins. They total 27 cents. What coins do I have?
I hold 5 coins. They total 76 cents. What coins do I have?
There are 4 coins. The coins total 30 cents. What coins do I have?
There are 4 coins. They total 60 cents. What coins do I have?
There are 3 coins. The coins total 35 cents. What coins do I have?
I hold 5 coins. They total 95 cents. What coins do I have?

For beginners, it would probably help to have an assortment of coins for them to manipulate. For more skilled workers, you can challenge them to work it out in their heads. Have fun!