Skip to content
  • FR
FR
  • About us
    Building, illuminated glass towers on either side of an old, square, stone building.

    About us

    We're here to help you understand what the Bank of Canada does and how it matters to you.

    About the Bank of Canada

    Find out what the Bank does, who runs the Bank and how it is separate from the political process.

    Connect with us

    We'd love to hear from you! Contact us by email, phone or mail—or join us on social media.

  • Visit

    Visit

    • Plan your visit
    • Accessibility and special needs
    • Code of conduct
    • COVID-19 protocols

    Plan your visit

    Here's what you need to know, how to make the most of your visit and where to find us.

    Winterlude 2023

    Winterlude Weekends 2023

    From February 3 to 20, 2023: Join us every Saturday and Sunday throughout Winterlude for interactive family activities!

  • Explore

    Exhibitions

    • Permanent exhibition
    • Special exhibitions
    • Travelling exhibitions
    • Past exhibitions

    Blog

    Collection

    • About the Collection
    • Collection Services
    • Canadian Bank Notes Series
    • Search the Collection

    Teaching art with currency

    From design to final product, bank notes and coins can be used to explore and teach art, media and process.

  • Learn

    Learn

    • Activities and games
    • Education blog
    • External resources
    • Lesson plans
    • School programs
    • Video discussion guides

    Needs or wants? That is the question!

    Do you need it, or do you want it? That’s an important question to ask before buying anything. This activity is designed to teach kids how to prioritize their needs and wants, and how to make informed choices when shopping.

    A triangular object with a translucent background.

    The Bank of Canada Museum’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics

    We want to celebrate great teaching about the economy. Learn more about the award, submit a nomination, and meet the 2022 winners.

  • Home
  • Learn
  • Activities and games

Money slime

April 15, 2020

Financial literacy starts early with helping children to recognize, count, and add coins.

You can save a copy of this webpage by using the Print: Save as PDF feature of your browser.

Description

This activity is perfect for younger children learning about coins, and the slime is food safe!

Ages

Six to nine years old

Learning objectives

Children will:

  • learn to recognize different coins
  • count and add the values of coins

Materials

  • Various coins that add up to $5 for each slime (one per child)
  • Microwave-safe large bowl
  • Large spoon for stirring
  • Tray or table cloth to contain any mess
  • Paper and pen

Ingredients for the slime

  • Food coloring
  • 1 tbsp psyllium husk (you can use Metamucil if you have it handy)
  • 1 cup water

Steps

  1. Make the slime. You’ll have to do this 20 min or more before you start, to let the slime cool down.
    • In a large bowl, mix the psyllium husk and water.
    • Add 2 to 3 drops of food colouring and mix well.
      You should already have a thicker consistency.
    • Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Watch closely.
      You’ll need to pause the microwave every time the mix is about to bubble over and overflow. You can restart it after a few seconds.
    • You should have slime now! Remove it from the bowl to let it cool (caution: it will be hot!).
    Make sure to cook one slime at a time and do not double the recipe.
  2. Hide the coins in the slime for children to find!
    Make sure to hide a variety of coins (adding up to $5) and keep them separate from each other.
  3. Place the slime on a tray or table cloth.
  4. Ask children to find and count the coins.
    Help the younger children recognise the difference between each coin by asking them to group them.
    Older children can record each coin on a paper and add them together at the end.
  5. Check the total and help children find and recount any coins that they missed.

Bonus activities

  • Add spare coins from different currencies if you have them around the house and ask children to spot the differences.
  • Try adding different values of coins together in various combinations to practice addition.

We want to hear from you

Comment or suggestion? Fill out this form.
Questions? Send us an email.


    * denotes a required field.

    Content type(s): Activities and games
    Subject(s): Social studies
    Grade level(s): Early childhood / Kindergarten, Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03, Grade 04

    On this page

    30 Bank Street
    Ottawa, ON
    K1A 0G9, CANADA
    613‑782‑8914

    • Things to do

    • Plan your visit
    • Find educational resources
    • Search the Collection
    • Connect with us
    • Things to see

    • Canadian bank notes
    • Exhibitions
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Things to know

    • Accessibility and special needs
    • Code of conduct
    • COVID-19 protocols
    • Privacy
    ●●
    Bank of Canada Museum

    Visit the Bank of Canada web site ›

    We use cookies to help us keep improving this website.

    Accept and continue