Having children work out and stick to a budget is a great authentic way to teach and reinforce math skills. It is also a way to show children how to find out what something might cost and to stick to a budget.
For example, for classroom or home parties, give children an amount to work with, give them websites they can search to find prices, and let them plan the party. Giving children ownership of the budget and planning provides an authentic math experience, and also gives the children ownership and pride in their event.
The Educational Journey 