A list of the best children’s books and videos for teaching about money and coins in the primary classroom or at home: kids will enjoy learning this important math skill with these top choices. These books will help kids learn to count coins, identify coins and bills, learn financial literacy, and solve real-world money problems.
Children’s Books and Videos for Teaching About Money and Coins
We are in the digital age. Coins, bills, and physical money are becoming something that is rarely used. People use PayPal, Venmo, credit cards, and debit cards more than ever. I admit to barely ever having cash on me, and if I do, it’s a dollar or two to tip while I grab my Starbucks coffee.
But teaching money and counting currency is an essential lifelong skill for kids. Children’s books and videos on the topic are great teaching tools. They help make learning about money fun and interactive and can create memorable neuron connections. If you are teaching about money soon in math, you’ll want to gather these children’s books and videos for your next lesson.
Why Use Picture Books and Videos When Teaching About Money
When using books and videos to teach, you’re making learning fun for kids, which makes the lesson more memorable. Picture books and videos help kids relate to the learning experience and show how money skills can be used in real-world situations.
Children’s Books for Teaching About Money and Coins
When teaching about money, books are great resources. I suggest using picture books to teach not only ELA standards like the alphabet but math topics as well. Money books allow students to learn vocabulary words like coins, dimes, change, etc. and see how money is used for exchange. Children need to develop financial literacy, and picture books can help.
A Dollar, a Penny, How Much and How Many? by Brian P. Cleary
In this funny book, students will learn the basics of bills and coins (pennies, nickles, dimes, quarters). It gives young readers information on counting and combining pennies, nickels, fives, tens, and more!
Daddy, Can You Teach Me About Money? by Ashton McCants
Tristan is a boy who likes to ask questions and learn about the world around him. He has a special interest in money and how it works. Tristan and his dad go on a financial literacy journey and gain beginner knowledge about money and how it all works.
Lemonade In Winter by Emily Jenkins & Brian Karas
Pauline and John-John intend to have a lemonade stand in winter. They want to sell lemonade and limeade and also lemon-limeade. Students will learn about entrepreneurship and how to calculate earnings from a sale, and it’s sure to be a hit with students.
Money Ninja by Mary Nhin
Join your favorite life hack ninjas as they travel on a journey of saving, investing, and donating. It is a perfect book for students who are just learning about money or need a little reminder about how it all works.
The Penny Pot by Stuart J. Murphy
This book is perfect for teaching all about counting coins and is a book 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will enjoy. It includes a cat named Chester and life-size coins that will help students feel confident about their money-counting skills.
The Coin Counting Book by Rozanne Williams
A perfect introduction book to counting, addition, and identifying American money. Students will look at various coins, mathematical relationships, and how to add them together once their piggybacks are full. Photos of real money against colorful and bold backgrounds help show the details of their value, and the simple rhyming makes it all fun!
Milton the Money Savvy Pup: Makes Saving a Habit by Jamie A. Bosse
Milton has a friend, Money, who does something super cool with her paycheck. She doesn’t spend it all right away. She splits her earnings between a give, save, and spend jar. Will Milton take note and start his own money system? This is a great book to teach kids the value of saving, spending, and personal finance.
Money by Linda Schwartz
A book with interactive activities that help students understand the value of each coin, bill, etc., and allows them to experience real-world money problems. It includes over 60 pages of interactive activities you can use with students during your money unit.
You Can’t Buy a Dinosaur with a Dime by Harriet Ziefert
Children love money. The way it looks, feels, smells, and most of all, what it buys. Pete saves his allowance, spends too much of it, and often has second thoughts and has to start over. Young readers will encourage Pete and join him as he saves, spends, and decides how he will spend his money in the future.
National Geographic Kids: Everything Money by Kathy Furgang
Everything students need to know about money can be found in this book. They will learn about American currency and money from around the world. It is packed with fun facts and amazing photographs, giving students an in-depth look at money, an important topic.
I’ve gathered and used many different money books in my classroom throughout the years, and I’ve added my favorites to this teaching children about money book list. You’ll also find many other books I use in my classroom there!
Children’s Videos for Teaching About Money
Videos are always a great tool in the classroom and while teaching. They are fun, often interactive, and help us introduce a new topic or concept.
Coins For Kids
This video by Homeschool Pop discusses the US coins, their worth, and the symbols and meanings behind each one. It is a great introduction video and allows students to learn more than just a coin’s worth. The video also uses actual photographs of the coins, which helps students develop a clear understanding.
USA Coins & Bills Song
A great educational song and video for teaching coin values and learning American currency. Students can practice the importance of the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter plus the 1-dollar and 5-dollar bills. This catchy coin song for kids is also a great introduction to teaching dollars and cents.
The Money Song
Jack Hartmann is another staple in my classroom. He has a song for everything, including different holidays and great brain break choices! His Money Song helps students identify the dime, nickel, and quarter. It has a lot of repetition, so you can play it repeatedly for students to become fluent.
Counting Coins Rap Song
This rap is a great way to help children learn to identify and count coins, including the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter.
Show Me The Money
Jack Hartmann does it again, and in this video, he is sure to show the front and the back of each coin. He also teaches the coin’s value and gives a simple coin combination equaling the value of another coin.
Free Money Sorting Mat
Have fun teaching about money with kids with this FREE money sorting mat resource. Simply print the sorting mat, grab a set of coins, and get sorting!
Click the image below to grab a copy.
Money Classroom Resources
Help your students learn how to count money and build different money skills with comprehensive, hands-on, and fun resources from Proud to be Primary.
These resources are the perfect addition to your money lessons and classroom financial education.
- Mindful Math: Money For 2nd Grade
If you like this resource, you’ll love the other Mindful Math products.
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