Playing Store
If possible, I recommend using real coins and play money to teach children about
money. One of the fun ways to learn about money is by making a store.
You can either buy tags at an office supply store or print the tags from the files below. Hang the tags on ordinary objects that are in your
house. Give the children some coins and paper money and play store.
Children can take turns being the store keeper on different days. The store keeper must give change if someone gives him too much money. Depending on his level, he could figure and add tax to the prices.
The younger children who are just learning can purchase one item at a time. When they have learned how to add the coins, then they should be allowed to buy more items. Later, you can give each child a certain amount of money and ask the children to spend all of their money. This is challenging because they will need to add many of the different things in the store to discover what they must buy in order to have no money left.
The coin print-out is provided if you are unable to use real coins. Pennies are especially hazardous if swallowed. If you have a baby or a child who still puts things in his mouth, be especially careful with real pennies.
Play paper money can usually be found in the party supplies area of stores like Wal-Mart or K-Mart (Big-K). These are nice because they are usually printed on both sides. If you can't find paper money in your area, you can print full size play money from my Play Money web page.
Tags
Print the tags on card stock if you have it. Cut them out, punch a hole in the top of each and put a string through the hole.
Tags from 1 cent and up
Tags from 43 cents and up
Blank Tags, 56 per sheet
Coins, Color and Grayscale
Print these on card stock. Cover the card with contact paper to made the coins easier to handle, then cut out the coins.
