U.S. Mint for Kids

Changing the way kids look at money.

Entertainment Value: Medium Graphics: Graphics, games Playability: Medium Reading Level: Medium Website: http://www.usmint.gov/kids/

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this site is worth a million bucks for kids who want to learn about money or collect coins, and for teachers organizing lessons about money or U.S. history. Kids not into coins or history may have to dig through piles of pages to find their pot of gold here, but there's fun stuff to be found, including safe coin-related games, cartoons, and interesting facts.

Families can talk about money. Should kids have an allowance? If so, how much? What are some ways to learn about being responsible about money? What can kids do around the house to earn money? When is a good age to have a part-time job? Families can also talk about how this site is your tax dollars at work -- literally. As part of a federal program to spark the use of government Web sites for educational purposes, this site encourages kids to take a closer look at their money and see what they can learn. Discuss why that's a good thing.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Dana Villamagna

With the penny teetering on the threshold of extinction, coins may seem like ancient history. And history they are, but at the U.S. MINT FOR KIDS' site, they're history in a good way. Otherwise known as the H.I.P. Pocket Change (History In Your Pocket) site, it's a helpful tool to find out more about American history through coins. The Camp Coin section contains everything you need to know to start, build, and care for a coin collection. A lot of kids are into collecting the commemorative 50 States quarter series these days, and there's information on that, too. Other highlights: The Birth of a Coin cartoon (reading required); the Time Machine; and more than 20 games, with a parent-teacher explanation option to pick which one is best for your kids' age or grade level.

For more information about the different areas of the U.S. government, younger kids may enjoy Ben's Guide to Government for Kids. Money-minded tweens might like the book Lunch Money about making money at school.

Reviewed: 10/30/2007

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	Educational Value Parents, teachers and kids interested in coins can visit this site often and learn something new. There's fresh content every month and an updated newsletter,"Making Cents," every three months.