Works great! Use with real money or play money that's "real" in size.... It is a real adding machine to help teach your child how to really add... My daughter plays with her son as if they are "shopping" and then they go check out... He has his own money to pay for his stuff he buys... He enjoys shopping and paying for his stuff, counting out his own money... If he doesn't have enough, he has to "pick" which item to put back. Add, Subtract.... He's only 5....