The Bank of Canada Museum is inviting children to visit a new exhibition that is inspired by questions they have about money. Money in 10 Questions: Kids Edition is a play-based experience that helps children understand money and how to handle it. The exhibit opens to the public on May 25 and includes special activities for families.
“We believe an early introduction to financial literacy is essential to a child’s education," says Stacy Wakeford, Director of the Bank of Canada Museum. “Even at a young age, kids can understand economic subjects like compound interest or the value of labour. They are curious and have unique perspectives. Their questions provide insight into how the world works and can spark some great conversations.”
In 2020, the Museum asked kids what they wanted to know about money. More than 800 questions flooded in from across the country. The questions were thoughtful and complex, while some were just plain fun. And the Museum answered them all. Money in 10 Questions: Kids Edition is built around 10 of these questions, such as “Why do you have to work for money?” and “Can money be dinosaur bones?” These questions act as springboards to explore concepts that are important for children and their families to understand as they navigate through the economy.
Highlights of the exhibition experience include the following:
- Can you save a million dollars? Learn about the magic of compound interest.
- Discover some surprising forms of money. Touch them; some of them are furry.
- Meet a kid entrepreneur and find ways to make your own money.
- Exclusive to the Ottawa showing: some cool artifacts that answer 10 more questions kids had about currency and its history.
“The economy is in the news almost every day. Now, more than ever, it’s important to find activities and information that help Canadian families talk about money and its role in their lives,” says Deputy Governor Sharon Kozicki. “The Bank of Canada is excited to be part of the conversation with this timely, informative and engaging exhibition.”
Museum visitors will have the opportunity to participate in special family activities related to the exhibition on May 27 and 28, and during the first two weekends in June.
Money in 10 Questions: Kids Edition runs at the Bank of Canada Museum until fall 2024, after which the exhibition will tour across the country.
Admission to the Museum is always free.
Notes for editors:
- Contact Media Relations for interview requests.
- The Bank of Canada Museum is located at 30 Bank Street (at the corner of Wellington Street), in Ottawa, Ontario. The Museum is open seven days a week, from 10:00 to 17:00. Admission is always free.
- The Museum explains the Bank’s main areas of responsibility: setting monetary policy, promoting a sound financial system, issuing Canada’s bank notes, acting as fiscal agent for the Government of Canada and supervising retail payment service providers.
- It also manages the 130,000 artifacts in the National Currency Collection, the world’s most complete collection of Canadian currency and related artifacts.
- For more information about the Museum and its services, visit the website.
- Download pictures of the Museum and its exhibition on Flickr.
- Follow the Museum on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @BoCMuseum