Playing with money helps kids learn and master fundamental math skills. Help children become savvy with this quality set of Canadian play bills that includes 250 individual bills from a penny to $100 and realistic looking coins. They’ll use these play bills in dramatic play, for role-playing, and in other real-world learning situations to gain recognition of money values, counting, and adding.

Teach counting and making change fun with a variety of free, online learning resources. Many of these activities are interactive and allow kids to drag and drop bills and coins to build early number sense. Some even help kids practice regrouping, a concept that’s essential for understanding the value of money.

Other excellent teaching resources are available from the Bank of Canada Museum, including a fascinating article that explores how currency is produced and who can appear on bank notes and coins. There is also a money FAQ page that answers common questions about the country’s currency and security features. For more hands-on, playful learning about money, try the Avatar Market activity in which students can spend their virtual allowance on items for a paper avatar puppet. It’s a great way for kids to understand spending, saving, and earning money.