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Where Speech-language Pathologists find ideas, activities and materials.

Penny Toss

Penny TossNeed a fun way to get your clients to produce a lot of responses?  Then give this game a shot.  Besides being a good motivator, it is also:

  • adaptable to any goal
  • fun for big and little kids
  • cheap
  • portable

What you’ll need:

  • pennies (or plastic chips or beans) – enough for each player to have 5-10
  • egg carton or ice cube tray with a number (1-3) written in the bottom of each “cup”

How to play:

The students earn pennies for correct answers or sound productions.  Once each student has had approximately 5-10 chances to earn pennies, it’s tossing time!

Set the carton on the floor against a wall and put down something to mark where the players stand.  Depending on the age of the players, have them stand anywhere from one-four feet away and take turns tossing their pennies into the carton.  A penny only counts if it stays in the carton!  After each player, add up the points earned and collect your pennies.  I can usually fit two to three tossing rounds into a session, depending on the group size and the goals we are addressing.  Reward the winner (with praise or an object) and then start again!

Becky Wanca

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This Post Has 22 Comments

  2. Great idea! Thanks for sharing. I’m always looking for new ways to keep my kids motivated.

  4. This was a big hit! We used the bingo chips that are lined in metal and used a magnetic wand to clean up, which was nice. Thanks :)

  6. I’m glad you like it! My students from Pre-K through 8th grade have fun with it. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement too.

  8. Great idea!!! I work with preschoolers and this activity will be very helpful in keeping their attention. Happy I found your website.

  10. I saw this idea last week on the website so I implemented it today for the first time! The kids just love it and it can be used for ANY skill you are addressing! So simple yet so fun! Thanks!

  13. Thanks for the idea. I love that your ideas are inexpensive fun and adaptable. We rarely get to order new supplies these days and I am so happy to have recently found your site! Keep ’em coming!

  17. Once a student has tossed all of his/her pennies, I add up the points, write down the score, and then empty the pennies out before the next student tosses.

    Hope that helps!
    Becky

  19. Hi there! This is a really cute idea! I’m a 1st year grad student and have an 8 year old female client with an artic disorder for /s/. I’m in the beginning stages of planning activities for her this semester and want to use this one:)

    Is the idea that I have her say an /s/ card word and after she says a few of them, she gets to toss the penny into the egg carton?

    Sorry I’m so new to this, but eager to learn from all of you!

  20. You can have her say a few words to earn each penny. Once she has some pennies saved up, maybe five or so, let her toss them into the egg carton and add up her score. To make it a little more fun, toss the same number of pennies yourself and see who gets the most points. You’d be surprised how many of those pennies bounce right out!

    Just make sure that the tossing part is quick and doesn’t take up too much treatment time. When the tossing is done, have her start earning some more pennies for the next round.

    Best wishes for a great semester!
    Becky

  22. Cute, simple idea. Could use muffin tins as well. In the winter cotton balls or craft poms might work as “snowballs”.

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