Students will explore the fascinating world of money by taking a look at objects that have been used as money by many civilizations. From seashells and beads to metal coins and paper currency, we’ll take part in a hands-on activity by examining real and replica examples and discover why certain objects were chosen to represent value. By the end of the lesson, students will understand how money works, why societies need it, and how money has changed over time.

Coin collecting is a fun and rewarding hobby, but knowing where to start can be a major deterrent. This class will teach the fundamentals of coin collecting, including how to identify coins by country, date, mintmark, and design type. We’ll explore the differences between circulating coins and collectible coins, discover what makes certain coins valuable, and practice your newly acquired skills with real coins.

The ancient invention of paper revolutionized communication, commerce, and culture. In this class, we will explore the origins of paper and its evolution into the versatile material we use today. Students will learn about the process of papermaking, and will work hands-on to create their own paper!

Come celebrate National Coin Week with us next weekend! (NationalCoinWeek.org)

The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes that connected Asia, Africa, and Europe. Discover how valuable goods like silk, spices, and precious metals traveled thousands of miles and brought different cultures together. In this lesson, students will explore how trade worked before modern transportation with a hands-on activity along trade stations. Students will make trades and understand how cultural exchange shaped our world.

The American Numismatic Association will be hosting Summer Seminar, so no Kids Zone class will take place. (money.org/summer-seminar)

Since the birth of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece and Rome, sports have become deeply ingrained into modern culture. Following all the excitement of the 2026 Winter Games and looking forward to the LA Olympics/Paralympics in 2028, this class will use numismatics to show how sporting events, teams, and players are honored—from the very first Olympic victors to more recent athletic standouts. Students will learn how to read symbolic imagery to interpret cultural and historical events, and use these skills to create commemorative pieces for their own favorite sport, team, or athlete.

Archaeology is like being a detective who travels back in time by finding pieces of an ancient puzzle buried in the earth. Students will work together in this mock archaeological dig to uncover and describe relics of a past civilization.

Animals have appeared on money since the first coins, both as part of a country’s coat-of-arms and as nature-based portraits. Once familiar with the more common types of animals displayed on coinage, students will then design a coin or banknote with their favorite animal. Once completed, students will have the opportunity to showcase their original design to the class.

Cursive writing is more than just a fancy form of handwriting, it’s functional! Understanding cursive can help you read old letters, historic documents, signatures, and paper money. In this class, students will learn the basics of cursive handwriting and discover how being able to read and write in cursive connects us directly to the past.

Explore the fascinating world of colonial currency! In this lesson, students will learn how paper money circulated in early America, their relevance to history, and how one founding father cleverly incorporated nature into their designs.

Happy Holidays!