Money is all around us and it helps to know how to use it correctly. Each country has its own different currency or money. Their coins and notes might look quite different from ours. Apart from that, the actual value of the money also differs. For example, a $1 bag of chips in the U.S. might cost 50 pence in the U.K. Read on to learn more about currencies!
The U.S. Dollar
The U.S. dollar is used throughout the United States. However, since our country is well recognized worldwide, our currency is also accepted in many other areas as well. For example, many merchants in Canada or South America will accept U.S. money. The Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as the British Virgin Islands use the U.S. dollar as their official currency.
- U.S. Dollar Trivia – Read some fun facts about the dollar bill.
- Golden Dollars – Complete a puzzle to see a Sacagawea Golden Dollar.
- U.S. Dollar History – Watch a video on the history of U.S. money
- U.S. Money – Explore the different parts of U.S. currency.
- Evolving Money – Track changes in U.S. currency over time.
The Euro
In the past, each country in Europe had its own separate currencies. Later, to make it easier to manage, they decided to all share the same currency. A new one was introduced in 2002 and is called the euro. There are still a few European countries however that rejected the euro, preferring to use their old currencies.
- Euro Resources – Find out about the euro and where it is used.
- Euro Shopping – Practice counting out the right amount of euro coins.
- Euro History – See how the euro came about only recently.
- All About the Euro – Review a kids’ guide to the euro.
- What is the Euro? – This simple answer for kids explains the euro.
- Add the Euros (PDF) – Can you correctly add the euro coins in each problem?
The Japanese Yen
The yen is Japan’s official currency. The coins are especially unique because some of them have holes through the center! Did you know that the word “yen” actually means “round object”? It refers to round silver coins that Japan started to use in the 1800s.
- Japan Mint – View helpful resources about the yen.
- Yen Images – See what yen notes and coins really look like.
- Yen Worksheet (PDF) – Try a mini webquest on the yen.
The Great British Pound
The British pound is also known as the pound sterling. One pound is made up of a hundred pennies (or pence, to use the British term). Even though it is the official currency of the U.K., a few other countries also use this currency. They include the British Antarctic Territory, Tristan da Cunha, and South Georgia and the South Sandwish Islands.
- Money Maze – Go through the maze to learn about pounds and pence.
- Moneykins – In the Moneykins family, each member is a British coin!
- Pound Games – Try these games and activities based on the British pound.
- Old Money – See how British money was divided in older times.
- Value of a Pound – How much would a pound buy in the 1800s?
The Canadian Dollar
The value of the Canadian dollar is usually fairly close to that of the U.S. dollar. The one-dollar coin features the image of the loon, a bird common in Canada. This caused people to nickname the coin a loonie. Since Canada also has a two-dollar coin, it in turn received the nickname, a toonie.
- Making Canadian Money – Learn about money and how it is made in Canada.
- Match the Coins – Match each coin with its corresponding amount.
- Canadian Coins – Do you know whose face appears on Canadian coins?
- Coin Symbols – Watch a video about symbols on Canadian money.
- Activity Book (PDF) – Download an activity book about the Canadian dollar.
- Past Notes – See what older versions of Canadian money looked like.
The Rupee
Originally the rupee was the currency used in India around the 16th century. Later on it was also used by several other countries. This includes Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, and Nepal. The values of the rupee can vary from one country to another.
- Indian Money – This lesson plan helps to explain currency in India.
- Rupee Activity Book (PDF) – Complete the workbook to learn about counting rupees.
- Pakistani Rupees – See what coins from Pakistan look like.
- Indian Currency (PDF) – View a factsheet on Indian notes and coins.
- Rupee Coins – These videos show the history of coins in India.
Pesos
In older times, a peso was the name of a coin from Spain. When the Spanish invaded other countries like the areas we now know as the Philippines and Mexico, they introduced their currency there. Today those two countries still use pesos, along with Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
- Mexican Money – Browse through facts and images about Mexican pesos.
- Mexican Pesos – View images of coins and notes that are used in Mexico.
- Philippine Pesos – Do Philippine pesos look different from Mexican ones?
- Peso Craft (PDF) – Create a decorative picture frame with pesos!
Currency Converters
- Harry Potter Currency Converter – Convert muggles’ money into magical currencies!
- Simple Currency Converter – Use this tool to find equivalent rates of different currencies.
- US Dollar Converter – Convert U.S. dollars into other currency rates.
- Multiple Currency Converter – Convert between any of the main global currencies.
- Currency Converter Tool – Use an easy converter to find exchange rates.