My FAVORITE type of activity is one with quick burst of BIG learning and then lots of space for open-ended, independent play. Add in some water because... summer, and you’ve got our newest favorite game: Coin Toss!

To Play:

Fill up a pool, bucket or tub with water and make four boats using tin foil (fold the foil and roll up the edges)
Practice recognizing and naming each type of coin.
Put a coin on each boat (a penny boat, nickel boat, dime boat, and quarter boat) and set the boats on the water.
Take turns selecting a new coin, saying its name, and tossing it on the correct boat. If the coin doesn’t land on the boat, simply pick it up out of the water and try again!

The Math:

Coin names. Teach your child the names of each coin and practice saying them as they pick up each new coin to toss.
Classify coins. Creating groups of the same type of coin.
Weight. Introduce the terms heavy, light, float, and sink. Talk about why the boats float when there are no coins (they’re light) and then sink after you put lots of coins on them (the coins make them heavy).