Appropriate grades or age groups:
Elementary School

Estimated time to complete project or implement technique:
30-60 minutes.

Materials needed (if applicable):
grocery list
list of mock food prices
pencil
paper

Project instructions or description of technique:
Preparing for a budget for your next trip to the market with your child is a great way to introduce the usefulness of basic math skills in everyday life!

1. Give your child a list of grocery items and mock prices for the foods that your family eats each week (i.e. milk, eggs, chicken by the pound, cereal, bread, cold cuts, vegetables etc.).

2. Add other items that are considered specialties or treats (i.e. cookies, cakes, candies, steak, lobster).

3. Give your child a budget limit for the upcoming trip to the market together.

4. Have them calculate how much of each item will feed the family for seven breakfasts, seven dinners and two lunches. Note: be sure to explain to your child that if you are a family of four, he'll have to multiply what one person would eat in a week by four!

5. Have your child design the meals and calculate the total costs.

6. If the total of the groceries is more than the budget, what items could be eliminated? Could the list be cut down by buying less of a certain item?

7. Now, take a trip to the market and let your child do the shopping from their list! This is a wonderful way for your child to see how math is used in everyday life.