Set up a store with various items the child can purchase. These items should be small things the child would find enjoyable to shop for, such as sugar free gum or stuffed animals. Toys from a kid's meal make the perfect purchase item.
Make price tags out of index cards cut in half. Place the price tags on the shelf with the item the price represents. The coin value can be marked one of two ways. A picture of the coins, necessary for the purchase, can be displayed on the card or the price in numeric value can be written.
Give the child enough money for several purchases, explaining the value of the coins as they are added to his collection. This is the time when the rules of the game are explained as well. The child will be shopping for his lunch, snack, or playtime items. The rules are simple to understand. There is only a certain amount of money which is allowed to be spent.
Take the child on a shopping adventure. The idea is to have fun while learning. A child who must shop for his lunch, snack, or playtime toy can learn the value of coins quickly. Four quarters adds up to $1.00 and may only buy 1/2 a peanut butter sandwich. Five dimes is fifty cents, enough for a juice pak. The prices and items are at the discretion of the parent.
Allow the child to act as shopper one time and cashier the next time. This will not only teach the value of coins but also enable the child to learn about simple addition and subtraction. Multiplication, division, and large money amounts can also be learned by older children in this same manner.