Kids learn well on the computers. For further individual reinforcement of the money trading concepts, there are online games. Harcourt School Publishers offers games such as "Money to Build a Robot," a game that lets kindergarten students identify the coins needed to trade for robot parts. Each successful identification is rewarded with arms, legs, a body, etc. for the robot. The website Primarygames.com has a game known as "Spending Spree" that allows students to pick the object they want to buy. The student must then properly identify the correct coins needed to purchase the item. Both games mix the concept of trading money with a fun game students can operate on their own.
Kids learn by doing and role play games give them the opportunity to simulate real world coin trading. Teachers can use play money to set up a "store" stocked with items such as plastic foods, books, empty food boxes and small toys. Place a price tag near each item. The teacher issues money to the students who will play the customers and designate students to play the shopkeepers. Let the kids shop and help them as the customer students try to figure out what they can purchase and the shopkeepers exchange their goods for the customers' money. You can switch the roles, issue coins based on behavior or academic criteria, or periodically change the goods available for sale.
Memorization is the most important way to learn the concept of money. Teachers can make up cards with pictures of the coins on one side. Include pictures of both sides of the coins, but print them on one side of a heavy paper, like card stock. Flip them over, so the side bearing the coin is not showing. Have the students match the front and back sides of the coins. Each successful match means the student earns that coin. At the end of the game, total up each student's winnings. (It may be easier to separate a class into teams.) Devise some way for the class to trade their winnings, such as for good grades, more time at recess, or to buy treats.
Money trading activities are great for addressing larger lessons of needs versus wants. Give the students an amount of money individually or in groups. Present the kids with items considered needs and items considered wants. Allow them to trade their coins for certain items. Some teachers can vary the game by offering the items needed for a doll or imaginary person to live. Offer a toy home, toy car, pet toys, and so on. At the end, the teacher reiterates what is a want what is a need. The team or student who has fulfilled the needs of the person wins the game.