Most children encounter coins first, but banknotes introduce a leap in thinking. A single piece of paper can be worth five, ten, or even fifty coins. Understanding notes means grasping larger numbers, learning how notes and coins work together, and building confidence with amounts that feel big.
For children who are comfortable with coins, notes are the natural next step — and play shop games make the transition smooth.
Why Notes Are Different From Coins
Banknotes introduce concepts that coins don’t:
- Larger values — a £5 note is worth more than any single coin, pushing children to work with bigger numbers
- Notes and coins together — a purchase of £7.50 requires understanding that you might pay with a note and receive coins as change
- Fewer physical cues — coins differ by size, weight, and colour. Notes are all roughly the same size, so children rely more on reading the number and recognising the design
- The change problem — paying with a £10 note for a £3 item means working out £7 in change, which is harder than change from coins alone
These challenges make notes a genuine step up, but one that children are ready for once they’re confident with coins.
What to Expect at Each Age
Ages 6–7: Can identify common banknotes in their currency by colour and number. Understands that a £5 note equals five £1 coins. Starting to use notes for simple purchases where change is straightforward (paying £5 for a £4 item).
Ages 7–8: Can work with £5 and £10 notes confidently. Understands the relationship between notes and coin combinations. Can calculate change from a note for amounts under the note’s value.
Ages 8–9: Comfortable with all common banknotes. Can handle transactions involving multiple notes and coins. Understands that the same amount can be represented different ways (a £20 note, two £10 notes, or four £5 notes).
How myplayshop Teaches Note Skills
myplayshop includes both coins and banknotes from 16 real currencies. As your child runs their shop and handles larger transactions, notes become part of the natural flow:
- Customers pay with notes — just like in real life, customers don’t always have exact change. Your child receives a £10 note for a £6.50 purchase and works out the change
- The till contains real note designs — children see and select actual banknote images from their chosen currency
- Larger shop totals introduce notes naturally — a toy shop purchase might total £8, requiring note-level thinking
- Mixed transactions combine notes and coins — a customer pays with a £5 note and a £1 coin for a £5.75 total
- Multiple currencies show that every country has notes, building broader understanding
The game scales naturally — as children choose shops with higher-priced items, notes become part of the experience without any forced lesson.
Activities to Try at Home
-
The note exchange — Give your child a £5 note and a pile of £1 coins. Ask them to “buy” the note from you using coins. Then try it with £10. This builds the fundamental relationship between notes and coins.
-
Note or coins? — Name different amounts and ask your child which they’d rather carry: the note version or the coin version. £5 as a note or five £1 coins? What about £3 — can you use a note? This introduces the idea that not every amount has a matching note.
-
The big shop — Set up a pretend shop where everything costs between £1 and £10. Give your child a £10 note or a £20 note. They buy items, receive change in coins and smaller notes, and keep track of how much they have left.
-
Change from a note — This is the key skill. Say “You buy something for £3 and pay with a £5 note. How much change?” Start with round numbers and £5, then move to £10, then introduce pence.
-
Note spotting — When you handle cash, show your child the notes. Point out the security features, the portraits, and the numbers. Let them hold the notes and compare sizes and colours. Familiarity breeds confidence.
Tips for Parents and Teachers
- Start when coins are solid — Don’t rush into notes. Wait until your child can count and combine coins confidently.
- Begin with the smallest note — In the UK, start with £5. In the US, start with $1 or $5. Build up to larger denominations gradually.
- Practise change from notes early — This is the skill children need most in real life. “You pay with £10, it costs £6, how much change?”
- Use real notes when safe to do so — The look and feel of real notes builds recognition faster than pictures.
- Pair with myplayshop — The app naturally introduces notes as shop totals grow. Playing with different shop types gives varied exposure to note-level transactions.