Block parties are fun!
My insurance office is located in the Northcenter neighborhood of Chicago and I was invited to sponsor a block party for my neighbors, back in 2019. I decided to bring some world coins for the kids to search through and find a couple coins to keep. But of course there's always a hitch! The kids had to learn what country the coin was used in, and the denomination/value of the coin. That was a big challenge, but eventually the kids learned who Queen Elizabeth II was, or that Canada and Australia were both in the British Commonwealth. So after the kids got done exploring the world of numismatics, they were back at the bounce house for awhile, only to return later with a very sad story. While bouncing around, they had lost their new found treasure, and would it be OK if they picked out some replacements? Of course I agreed, and was happy to have them look through the coins again. Pretty soon the parents came over and shared stories of collecting statehood quarters and how their parents and grandparents had passed down coin collections.
Well, hopefully I have given you a couple ideas, in case you are invited to a block party this summer, and have some world coins to share with your neighbors. Who knows, maybe the kids will start collecting coins? Or at least they will be more aware of the world around them and that money is different everywhere you travel. I remember one of the kids finding a Canadian quarter and asking me if Canada was very far away. I mentioned that it was about 6 hours from Chicago and that he could spend that quarter the next time he visited. Right away, he ran up to his dad and showed him the quarter and asked when they could go to Canada!
Comments
Mal_ANA_YN
Level 5
What a great idea. I wish the ANA would sponsor activities like these - maybe at local libraries?
Mike
Level 7
We had block party's all the time. Bands games for kids and everyone shared there food. We got to know each other better.. Thanks it brought back good memories
thatcoinguy
Level 5
Awesome! Sound like a bundle of fun.
AC coin$
Level 6
Amazing idea from a brilliant collector living in a community that brings knowledge to each kid so they think about each country's currency. This just brought the kids from that block the joy of finding treasures. I admire you directly for organizing such event out of a great heart, your feelings and love you feel while being a world numismatist. That's why you are a true collector, teaching others and we never know that each of those kids will carry on with the future of numismatics. Thanks and blessings for this lesson that was truly amazing.
Long Beard
Level 5
Outstanding! There is nothing greater in numismatics than to see the look in a youngsters eyes gazing at a coin for the first time.
Kepi
Level 6
I really enjoyed your blog and the photos! What a great idea you had! Thanks for sharing this! ; )
Longstrider
Level 6
BRILLIANT!
user_33663
Level 3
Well, it does seem brilliant after the fact, but actually doing it wasn't that easy! First, I had to load up a card table and chairs, then carry them to the block party, as the street was shut down. Then I had to go back to my car and grab the giveaway items , etc.. Then setting everything up while the neighbors start asking questions and we start to get to know each other. And then all the neighborhood kids are at my table, grabbing coins, asking questions, getting excited, so the parents come over to see what's going on. And of course, no one has ever met a numismatic educator before and we're feeling each other out to figure out what's going on here. But then an hour into it, we are all sharing stories, having fun, and acting like we are old friends. Whew! Whenever you start talking to kids before you talk to their parents, you are on thin ice, especially when you start giving the kids stuff for free. So yeah, it was a brilliant idea and I was able to pull it off and make a great impact, but I also felt my way into the situation and have a natural ability to look and sound legit, especially with kids and their parents.
I. R. Bama
Level 5
What a great way to create some budding new numismatists. Nice job!
user_33663
Level 3
I always bring 10 pounds of world coins to any event I participate in, where I know there will be parents and kids to talk to. I'll share a couple more ideas on another post that seemed to work out well!
slybluenote
Level 5
Sounds like a great idea and it looks as if fun was had by all. Thanks for sharing !