Visiting the Bank of Korea Money Museum with Children: A Family Day in Seoul
Living in Seoul means there are many museums and educational places to visit with children, and sometimes the places that sound quite serious turn out to interest them more than I expect. The Bank of Korea Money Museum (한국은행 화폐박물관) was one of those places for us.
At first, a museum about money may sound like somewhere mainly for adults. But when we visited with our children, I found that there was quite a lot for them to see and do. My children, especially the boys, were interested in the old banknotes, huge displays of Korean won, damaged money, currencies from different countries, and exhibits they could interact with themselves.
What I liked was that the visit was educational without feeling like another lesson. We could simply walk around together, stop wherever something caught their attention, and talk about what we were seeing.
Inside the Bank of Korea Money Museum
The museum introduces the history of money, Korean currency, and the development of Korea's central banking system. One of the exhibits explains that the Bank of Korea was established on June 12, 1950.
As we moved through the museum, we could see how Korean money changed over time. There were old banknotes and coins, displays showing different periods in Korea's monetary history, and examples of early banknotes issued by the Bank of Korea.
Seeing old money in person was much more interesting than simply seeing pictures of it. The designs, sizes, and appearance of the notes have changed considerably, and looking at them together made it easier to imagine how money used in everyday Korean life once looked very different from the won we use today.
What Happens to Used and Damaged Money?
Another section showed Korean banknotes at different stages, from newly manufactured notes to used and damaged ones.
There was also an explanation of what happens when a banknote is torn or badly damaged. The museum showed examples of damaged notes and explained how the remaining portion of a banknote can affect whether it can be exchanged at full value, half value, or not exchanged.
This was the kind of practical information that made us stop and look more closely. Money is something children see adults use all the time, but we rarely think about what happens when a banknote becomes badly damaged.
Trying to Lift a Huge Amount of Money
One of the most entertaining parts for the children was a hands-on exhibit showing how heavy very large amounts of Korean money would be.
The children could use the handles and try to lift displays representing enormous amounts of Korean won, including ₩100 million and ₩500 million. Seeing such a large number written down is one thing, but physically trying to lift it made the idea much more memorable.
This was one of the parts my children enjoyed most because they were not simply looking at something behind glass. They could actually try it themselves.
Money From Around the World
The international currency section was another interesting part of our visit.
There were currencies from many countries, and one interactive display allowed visitors to pull out panels for individual countries and look at examples of their money. For children, this made the exhibit much more engaging than simply viewing a long row of banknotes behind glass.
The children could pull out different panels, compare the designs, and see how money from one country could look completely different from money used somewhere else.
Finding Uzbek Som in Seoul
Naturally, one of the countries we looked for was Uzbekistan.
We found examples of Uzbek som (so'm) among the currencies displayed from around the world. Some of the banknotes were older notes that are no longer commonly seen in everyday life.
For my children, who are growing up in Korea, seeing Uzbek money inside the Bank of Korea Money Museum was especially interesting. It created a small connection between Korea and Uzbekistan during our visit.
This is also one of the things I enjoy about visiting museums with children. Sometimes the part that becomes personally meaningful is not necessarily the largest or most famous exhibit. It can simply be discovering something familiar in an unexpected place.
Coins From Different Countries
Another striking display contained a large collection of coins from around the world.
Different shapes, sizes, colors, and designs naturally attracted the children's attention and gave them plenty to compare. The museum was therefore not only about Korean won. It also gave them a chance to see how differently money can look around the world.
Why the Museum Was Interesting for My Children
Before visiting, I might have expected a money museum to involve mostly reading historical explanations and looking at objects behind glass. There was certainly plenty of history, but the interactive elements made the experience much better for children.
My children, especially the boys, enjoyed pulling out the international currency panels, trying to lift the displays representing huge amounts of money, examining unusual banknotes and coins, and discovering currencies they recognized.
For children, being able to touch, pull, lift, and discover can make a big difference. They did not have to understand every detail about monetary policy or banking to enjoy the museum.
The exhibits also gave us simple opportunities to talk about where money comes from, why currencies differ between countries, what old Korean money looked like, and what happens when banknotes are damaged.
Practical Information for Visiting
The Bank of Korea Money Museum (한국은행 화폐박물관) is located at 39 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 남대문로 39).
The museum is currently open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:40 p.m. Admission is free.
It is closed on Mondays and on certain holidays and designated closure days, so I recommend checking the official museum website before visiting.
For ordinary individual visits, visitors can explore the museum independently. Groups of 10 or more should make an advance reservation.
Getting There by Subway
- City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2) – Exit 7
- Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2) – Exit 7
- Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) – Exit 7
The museum does not provide regular visitor parking, so public transportation is the easier option for most visitors.
Is the Bank of Korea Money Museum Worth Visiting With Children?
The Bank of Korea Money Museum turned out to be a good place to visit with children. It combined Korean history, money, international currencies, and hands-on exhibits in a way that kept them interested.
For our family, finding Uzbek som among the currencies of the world made the visit a little more personal as well.
There are many famous family attractions in Seoul, but sometimes smaller educational outings can be just as memorable. This visit gave the children something new to explore and gave us plenty to talk about together as we moved through the museum.
And perhaps that is what I value most about these kinds of family outings: the children can learn something without the day feeling like studying.
