Burger Shop Making Money 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p Outdoor Maths Activities
Looking for simple Burger Shop making money activities using 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p coins? A burger shop theme is a brilliant way to help children practise recognising coins, counting small amounts, making totals, adding prices and using money in a playful, practical way. New to this area of teaching? Explore – What is outdoor learning?
Money can feel abstract when children only see coins on a worksheet. A pretend burger shop makes the learning meaningful because children can buy, sell, count, choose, compare and talk about prices through role play. Children can make burgers, chips, drinks and menus, then use 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p coins to pay for items. Like this resource? Download this resource and more take a 60-day free trial.
At The Muddy Puddle Teacher®, we believe maths should feel active, playful and easy to use. You do not need expensive resources. A few pretend coins, chalk, leaves, stones, mud kitchen resources, trays, baskets, paper plates, cardboard signs and an outdoor space are enough to create a purposeful burger shop money activity.
New to Outdoor Money Maths? Start Here
If teaching money outdoors feels overwhelming, start with coin recognition.
Children need time to handle coins, compare them, notice their size, colour and value, then practise using them in a simple context. A burger shop gives them a reason to do this.
Start by setting up a small outdoor counter. Add a simple menu with low prices using 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p. Children can make pretend burgers using natural loose parts, then pay for them with coins.
Keep the prices simple at first. You might price a bun at 1p, cheese at 2p, lettuce at 5p and a full burger at 10p. Children can begin by matching one coin to one price, then build towards making totals using different coins.
Outdoor maths works best when children can touch, move, talk and play with the concept.
Try This Tomorrow
If you only do one thing, try this simple money role play activity.
Outdoor Burger Shop
Set up a pretend burger shop outside using crates, trays, bowls, chalk signs and natural loose parts. Children can make burgers using leaves, stones, sticks, petals, bark, mud pies or cardboard circles. Add prices using 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p.
Time: 20–30 minutes
Prep: Low
Resources: Pretend or real coins, trays, chalk, paper plates, natural loose parts, menu cards and a simple counter
Learning: Coin recognition, counting money, making totals, addition, role play, speaking and listening
As children play, adults can ask, how much does the burger cost, which coin do you need, can you make 5p another way, how much are the burger and chips altogether, do you need 1p, 2p, 5p or 10p?
This gives children a quick money maths success and makes counting coins feel useful and fun.
Why Burger Shop Money Activities Work Well
A burger shop theme works well because children understand the idea of buying food. They can take turns being the customer, chef, server or cashier. This creates natural opportunities for counting, speaking, listening, choosing and problem-solving.
Using 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p keeps the maths manageable. Children can start by recognising individual coins, then move on to making small amounts, adding two prices and finding different ways to make the same total.
The role play gives children a real reason to use money. They are not just counting coins because an adult has asked them to. They are counting because they want to buy a burger, pay for chips or run the shop.
This makes the maths more memorable. For more outdoor learning ideas head to the Outdoor Leaning Hub.
Coin Recognition with 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p
Before children can make amounts, they need to recognise the coins.
In the burger shop, children can sort coins into pots, match coins to price tags, place the correct coin beside each menu item or create coin rubbings using paper and crayons.
They can compare coins by size, colour, shape and value. They might notice that 1p and 2p are copper coloured, 5p and 10p are silver coloured, the 2p coin is larger than the 1p coin and the 10p coin is worth more than the 5p coin.
Adults can model language such as coin, pence, price, cost, pay, value, total, more, less, same and change.
The aim is for children to become familiar and confident with the coins before moving into addition.
Making Amounts in the Burger Shop
Once children recognise the coins, they can begin making amounts.
A burger might cost 5p. Children could pay with one 5p coin, five 1p coins, a 2p, a 2p and a 1p, or a 2p, a 1p, a 1p and a 1p.
A drink might cost 10p. Children could pay with one 10p coin, two 5p coins, five 2p coins or ten 1p coins.
This helps children understand that the same amount can be made in different ways.
Adults can ask, can you make 5p in a different way, can you make 10p using only 2p coins, which uses fewer coins, which uses more coins, is this still the same amount?
This builds flexible thinking and early money confidence.
Burger Shop Menus for Outdoor Maths
A simple menu makes the role play feel real.
You might create menu items such as burger 10p, bun 2p, cheese 5p, tomato 1p, lettuce 2p, chips 5p, drink 10p, sauce 1p or special burger 10p.
Keep the prices small and focused on the coins you want children to practise. The menu can be written on cardboard, chalked onto the floor or displayed on a crate.
Children can also create their own menus. This gives them opportunities for mark-making, writing, number formation and decision-making.
A child-made menu might not be perfect, but it gives ownership and purpose to the maths.
Adding Prices with 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p
The burger shop is a natural way to practise addition.
Children can add the cost of two items, such as a burger and a drink, chips and sauce, bun and cheese or tomato and lettuce.
Start with small totals. For example, a 2p bun and 1p sauce cost 3p altogether. A 5p chips and 2p lettuce cost 7p altogether. A 10p burger and 5p drink cost 15p altogether if children are ready for that challenge.
Children can use coins to physically build the total before recording it.
Adults can ask, how much is it altogether, which coins could you use, can you count on from 5p, what is 2p more, how do you know?
This helps children connect money to addition.
Burger Shop Role Play and Language
Money learning is also brilliant for communication and language.
Children can practise phrases such as, can I have a burger please, that will be 10p, I need 5p more, here is your change, what would you like, the chips cost 5p, the special burger is on the menu today.
Role play gives children opportunities to take turns, listen, negotiate, ask questions and use mathematical vocabulary in context.
For children who need support with language, adults can model short phrases and repeat them during play. Visual menus and coin cards can also help.
Burger Shop Outdoor Maths for EYFS
For EYFS and Reception children, keep the focus on coin recognition, counting and simple matching.
Children can match 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p coins to price tags, count out pennies, sort coins into bowls, make pretend burgers and pay with one coin.
They might begin by buying items that cost exactly one coin, such as a 1p sauce, 2p bun, 5p chips or 10p burger.
As confidence grows, children can make small totals using more than one coin.
The learning should stay playful and hands-on. Children do not need lots of recording. The role play, counting and talk are the main learning.
Burger Shop Outdoor Maths for KS1
For KS1 children, you can add more challenge through making totals, adding prices and finding different coin combinations.
Children could work out how to pay for a 7p burger, a 12p meal or a 15p special. They could compare which customer spent the most, create their own prices or solve shopkeeper challenges.
You might ask, can you make 8p using 1p, 2p and 5p coins, can you make 10p in three different ways, how much would two burgers cost, which meal is cheaper, how many 2p coins make 10p?
This helps children move from role play into mathematical reasoning. For more outdoor learning ideas head to the Outdoor Leaning Hub.
Outdoor Money Activities and SEND
Burger shop money activities can support children with SEND because they are practical, visual and familiar.
Children can touch and sort coins, match coins to prices, use real objects, repeat the same buying routine and take on clear roles. The context gives meaning to the numbers.
Some children may need to focus only on one or two coins at a time. Others may benefit from visual price cards, coin mats, adult modelling or partner support.
Children can show understanding by choosing a coin, matching a coin, handing over money, counting aloud, pointing to a price or joining the role play.
The activity can be adapted easily, which makes it inclusive and flexible
Outdoor Burger Shop Continuous Provision
A burger shop can become part of outdoor continuous provision.
You can leave out a simple menu, coins, trays, natural loose parts and a chalkboard for children to return to during play. Over time, adults can change the prices, add new menu items or introduce a new challenge.
One day the focus might be matching coins, another day it might be making 5p, then making 10p, then adding two items together.
Continuous provision works well because children need repeated practice with money. Returning to the same role play helps them build confidence and independence.
Find more outdoor maths ideas:
Want Ready-to-Use Money Maths Resources?
The Muddy Puddle Teacher® helps busy teachers, nursery practitioners, childminders, home educators and parents save planning time with simple, curriculum-linked outdoor learning resources.
Inside the Muddy Puddle Teacher® membership, you will find ready-to-use outdoor maths activities, money games, role play shop resources, EYFS and KS1 maths ideas, SEND support, outdoor play resources, seasonal activities and simple planning to help you take learning outside.
Our resources are designed to help you use simple materials, reduce planning stress and make maths feel practical, playful and purposeful. Like this resource? Download this resource and more take a 60-day free trial.
Ready for More Outdoor Maths Ideas?
If you enjoyed these Burger Shop making money 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p activities, you can access hundreds more outdoor learning resources inside The Muddy Puddle Teacher®.
Like this resource? Download this resource and more take a 60-day free trial and explore outdoor learning resources for EYFS, KS1, SEND, forest school, outdoor play, maths, role play and continuous provision.
Start with one simple burger shop, one menu and four coins, then build from there.
Outdoor money maths does not have to be complicated. It just needs a playful context, simple prices and children who are ready to buy, sell, count and talk.
Burger Shop Making Money FAQs
How can I teach 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p coins?
You can teach 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p coins by letting children handle real or pretend coins, sort them, match them to prices, compare their value and use them in role play such as a burger shop.
Why is a burger shop good for teaching money?
A burger shop gives children a real reason to use money. They can buy, sell, count, make totals, add prices and practise language through role play.
What age is Burger Shop Making Money suitable for?
Burger Shop Making Money is suitable for EYFS, Reception and KS1 children. Younger children can focus on coin recognition, while older children can make totals and add prices.
How can children make 5p using coins?
Children can make 5p using one 5p coin, five 1p coins, a 2p, a 2p and a 1p, or a 2p coin with three 1p coins.
How can children make 10p using coins?
Children can make 10p using one 10p coin, two 5p coins, five 2p coins, ten 1p coins or a mixture of 1p, 2p and 5p coins.
Can this activity support SEND learners?
Yes. Burger shop money activities can support SEND learners because they are practical, visual, repetitive and meaningful. Children can match coins, choose prices, count objects and join in through role play.
Do I need special resources for a burger shop money activity?
No. You can use pretend coins, real coins with supervision, chalk, cardboard menus, trays, bowls, natural loose parts, paper plates, crates and your outdoor space.
For more outdoor learning ideas head to the Outdoor Leaning Hub.
