Raleigh museum makes money-saving memorable for kids

Raleigh, N.C. — A new exhibit at Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh is all about money – how to earn it, spend it and most importantly, save it.

In the Moneypalooza exhibit, children must earn money before they can spend it. They can pet-sit for Aunt Polly, help entrepreneur Ellie sell lemonade or work with Banker Ben.

“You can buy toys,” said kindergartner Isaac Artis.

The currency is plastic balls, which children can put in a big piggy bank.

“Families felt it important to teach their kids healthy money habits,” said Pam Hartley with Marbles Kids Museum.

That’s why Lead Mine Elementary School teacher Lisa Coster brought her kindergarten class to the museum. Basic money concepts are part of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

“We say in kindergarten, if they can sing it, or if they can eat it, or if they can touch it, they can learn it,” Coster said.

Moneypalooza targets children ages 4 to 10 and attracts about 4,500 kids a week, according to museum officials. The museum partnered with the North Carolina Bankers Association for the exhibit, which is slated to run for five years.

“One of the best things we’ve heard from families is that it’s been triggering great conversations back at home,” Hartley said.

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What a way to help to explain the simple concept of "delayed gratification" to a child! Too many people in today's society buy things on credit simply because they believe they are entitled to them, regardless of their ability to pay. Just talk to any car dealer or mortgage loan officer out there.

Way to go, Marbles! 8-)

OpenM1nd
March 18, 2010 12:16 p.m.

Archmaker,

I agree with the first half of your comment. I absolutely don't trust the inventors of credit cards (and who pull a large portion of their profits from them) with teaching children about saving and fiscal responsibility. It's kind of like having a nutrition exhibit sponsored by McDonald's or a lung health exhibit sponsored by RJ Reynolds.

As for the stuff about Reagan, I disagree.

Pseudonym
March 18, 2010 11:19 a.m.

It's the best play-area there. My daughter stayed in that room for over two hours when we went. I love it!

juchushu
March 18, 2010 10:38 a.m.

i'm not sure i trust banks (the sponsor of this) to teach kids about money. they don't seem to have the concept themselves.

oh, and if you want to teach them about taxation, well then by all means let them know that taxes are the lowest now that they have ever been in this country and that the conservative lion reagan had the single largest tax increase of any president.