25 smart and fun things to do with pennies

If you have a wallet full of unused pennies, you’re probably not alone. Many families find themselves wondering what to do with these tiny copper coins. While a single penny may not seem like much, together, they can teach valuable lessons, be used for creative activities, and even earn you money.

Here are 25 smart, family-friendly ways to make the most of your pennies:

1. Exchange them for cash

Take your pennies to your local bank or use a Coinstar kiosk (some even let you avoid fees if you choose a gift card). Check to see if the establishment requires them to be rolled before cashing them in.

2. Look for rare coins

Check for misprinted or rare pennies, like the 1943 steel penny or double die pennies. These can be worth hundreds, even thousands. Do your research to see which pennies are valuable and how much they’re worth. 

3. Start a coin jar challenge

Challenge your kids to fill a jar with pennies, then count and roll them for a mini math lesson that also builds fine motor skills.

4. Teach budgeting basics

Use pennies to help younger kids understand budgeting. Separate them into jars for saving, spending, giving, and investing.

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5. Donate to charity

Many nonprofits accept coin donations, and some coin-counting kiosks allow you to donate directly.

6. Create a penny floor or tabletop

Use epoxy resin and pennies to create a unique and shiny surface. Great for DIY fans!

7. Make penny art

Create a mosaic or frame artwork using polished pennies. It’s budget-friendly and family-fun.

8. Use in science experiments

Try the classic vinegar and salt experiment to clean pennies and explore chemical reactions.

9. Craft homemade weights

Glue a stack of pennies together for mini weights perfect for small science projects or paperweights.

10. Make a good luck charm

A shiny penny found heads-up is said to bring good luck. Add a special one to a keepsake box or gift.

11. Practice counting and sorting

Perfect for preschoolers learning numbers, patterns, and sorting skills.

12. Play penny toss games

Set up cups or jars and see who can land the most pennies inside. Great for hand-eye coordination!

13. Build a penny tower

Stack them as high as you can. This one’s a fun way to teach balance and patience.

14. Create a treasure hunt

Hide pennies around the house and make it a fun scavenger hunt for younger kids.

15. Leave them as random acts of kindness

Tape a penny to an encouraging note and leave it in public places.

16. Save them for travel tolls

Some toll booths still accept coins, so keep a stash in the car for road trips.

17. Use as a screwdriver

In a pinch, a penny can unscrew flat-head screws. Super handy for quick fixes.

18. Decorate plant pots

Glue pennies onto terra cotta pots for a garden craft that adds shine to your shelves.

19. Flatten them as keepsakes

Some places have penny-press machines that stamp your coin with a souvenir design.

20. Add to a piggy bank

Old-school savings are still fun. Use pennies to teach kids the power of compound interest over time.

21. Use as game pieces

Replace missing checkers or board game markers with pennies.

22. Make fridge magnets

Glue a small magnet to the back of a penny and decorate your fridge.

23. Create a time capsule

Add a penny from the current year to a family time capsule. It’ll be a cool snapshot of the past in years to come.

24. Start a penny collection

Collect one from each year, or every state if you can find those special editions.

25. Inspire a money talk

Sometimes the best use of pennies is starting a meaningful money conversation. Why do we still have pennies? What’s the value of saving small amounts?

When you look closer, that pile of pennies is more than spare change. It’s a tool for creativity, learning, and even kindness.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.

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