💰 Ages 5–7: What is Money?
Money Explorers
Welcome to Money Explorers, where young minds start their first exciting adventure into the world of money!
If you're between the ages of 5 and 7, this is your space to discover what money is, how we use it, and why it’s important — all in a fun and easy-to-understand way.
🪙 What Is Money?
Money is something we use to buy things and pay for services.
It comes in coins, notes, and even in invisible forms like numbers on a screen (called digital money).
In Australia, we use Australian dollars ($AUD), and our money looks pretty cool — it’s colourful and even waterproof!
What can you do with money?
Here are some things money can do:
🧃 Buy a juice box
🚍 Pay for a bus ride
🎁 Help us save for a toy or a birthday present
🏥 Pay the doctor when we’re unwell
Money is a way of trading.
A long time ago, people used to swap things like chickens for bread.
But now, instead of swapping items, we use money — and it’s much easier!
🪙 Meet the Aussie Coins and Notes!
Let’s get to know the money you might see in your piggy bank or at the shops:
💵 Australian Notes:
- $5 (purple) – Has a picture of Parliament House
- $10 (blue) – Features famous Aussie writers
- $20 (red/orange) – Shows aviation and medical pioneers
- $50 (yellow) – Features Indigenous author David Unaipon
- $100 (green) – Showcases inventors and business leaders
🪙 Coins:
5c, 10c, 20c, 50c – Silver-coloured
$1, $2 – Gold-coloured
Did you know?
👉 The $2 coin is smaller than the $1 coin, even though it’s worth more!
🛒 What Do We Use Money For?
Money helps us:
- Buy things we need (like food, clothes, and school supplies)
- Save for later (like a bike, holiday, or birthday gift)
- Give to help others (like donating to a charity or fundraiser)
🧠 Let’s Think Like Money Explorers!
Here are some fun questions to talk about with your family:
- What do you think money is used for at home?
- Have you ever paid for something yourself?
- What would you do with $10?
You can even draw a picture of something you would buy or save for!
💡 Activity Time!
🐷 Make a Paper Piggy Bank
Ask an adult to help you make a piggy bank from a tissue box or paper cup. Decorate it with stickers, googly eyes, or drawings of coins and dollar signs.
🎨 Colour the Coins
Print out a money colouring sheet with coins and notes. Can you colour them the same as real Aussie money?
🎲 Money Match Game
Cut out pretend coins and match them with pictures of items like ice cream, apples, or toys. Can you guess how many coins each item costs?
🧭 What You’re Learning
Even at a young age, learning about money helps you:
- Understand the value of things
- Make good choices
- Start saving for goals (like your dream toy!)
It’s not just about spending — it’s about making smart decisions.
🧡 Grown-Ups’ Corner: Tips for Parents & Carers
MAKE IT FUN!
Children aged 5–7 are naturally curious and love mimicking what adults do.
This is the perfect age to start introducing:
- Simple money vocabulary (spend, save, buy)
- Visual and hands-on experiences (coins, cash registers, savings jars)
- Age-appropriate chores or earning systems (e.g. earn $1 for feeding the dog)
Make it playful — turn shopping into a counting game or let your child “pay” at the register with your supervision.
🌱 Next Step on the Money Adventure.
Once you've learned what money is, you're ready to take the next step:
“Need vs Wants”
– Learn the important difference between the things you need and the things you want!
