Getting kids to understand the value of money can be a real challenge, but it’s an essential life skill that pays off in spades. How to teach kids about money saving from a young age sets the foundation for smart financial habits later on.
You might wonder where to start on how to teach kids about money, especially when even adults sometimes struggle with these concepts. But don’t worry; there are plenty of fun and engaging ways to help your children learn.
The goal is simple—make it relatable and enjoyable so they stay motivated!
How to teach kids about money and the Value of Money and Saving at a Young Age
As a parent, one of the most important lessons you can teach your children is the value of money and the importance of saving. The earlier you start teaching children about money, the better equipped they’ll be to manage their finances responsibly in the future. Young kids have an incredible capacity to learn, so it’s never too early to start imparting these valuable life skills.
When my own children were young, I made it a priority to model good money habits and teach them about saving in age-appropriate ways. I quickly learned that the key is to keep things simple and hands-on. Here are some of the strategies that worked well how to teach kids about money for our family.
Model Good Money Habits
Children learn by example, so it’s crucial that we as parents demonstrate healthy financial habits ourselves. When you’re out shopping, talk to your kids about how you’re comparing prices, looking for deals, and sticking to a budget. Show them that you’re setting aside a portion of your income for savings and explain why that’s important for your family’s financial future. Use every oportunity as a how to teach kids about money
I found that involving my kids in everyday financial decisions, like making a grocery list and sticking to it at the store, helped them understand the value of planning ahead and being mindful of spending. These small, practical lessons can have a big impact over time.
Keep It Simple with Money Toys
According to financial expert Iona Bain, “You can make finance fun for younger children (under 7s) by encouraging role-play with money. For example, you could set up a pretend corner shop, grocery stall, hairdressers or restaurant at home and give your kids some tokens that represent different values of money. Encourage them to use those tokens to buy the goods they want and figure out how much they need.”
Use Cash When Possible
In our increasingly digital world, it’s easy for kids to lose sight of what money really is. Using physical cash whenever possible helps make the concept of money more tangible for young kids. They can see and touch the bills and coins, and better understand that once money is spent, it’s gone. This is a great moment for a how to teach kids about money.
When my children received cash gifts for birthdays or holidays, we would take a trip to the bank together to deposit the money into their savings accounts. This simple ritual helped them understand that money has value beyond just immediate spending, and that saving is an important habit to develop at a young age.
By starting early and keeping lessons age-appropriate, we can set our children up for a bright financial future. The money habits they develop now will lay the foundation for a lifetime of financial responsibility and success.
Engage Kindergarteners and Primary Students on how to teach kids about Money Lessons
As children enter kindergarten and primary school, they’re ready for more structured lessons about money management. This is the perfect time to start introducing basic financial concepts and helping them develop good habits that will serve them well into adulthood.
I remember when my own kids were this age, I was always on the lookout for teachable moments and fun ways to engage them in learning about money. Here are some of the strategies that worked well for us.
Go Over Basic Concepts
Start by explaining key financial concepts in simple, age-appropriate terms. Discuss what money is, how it’s earned, and the difference between wants and needs. Talk about the importance of saving, setting financial goals, and making smart spending choices.
I found that using real-life examples and stories helped make these concepts more relatable for my kids. For instance, when explaining the concept of saving, I shared how I had saved up for a special vacation by setting aside a little bit of money each month. This concrete example helped them understand the value of patience and planning ahead.
Give an Allowance
Providing an allowance is a great way to give kids hands-on experience with managing money. Whether you choose to tie the allowance to chores or offer it as a weekly stipend, the key is to be consistent and use it as a teaching tool.
When my kids started receiving an allowance, we set up three jars labeled “Spend,” “Save,” and “Share.” Each week, they divided their allowance among the jars, deciding how much to allocate for current wants, long-term savings goals, and charitable giving. This simple system helped them learn to budget, prioritize, and make thoughtful choices with their money.
Play Games to Build Skills
Children learn best when they’re having fun, so look for ways to incorporate money lessons into games and activities. Board games like Monopoly and The Game of Life can help kids practice counting money, making change, and making financial decisions in a low-stakes environment.
Online resources and apps can also be valuable tools for teaching financial literacy. Games like Practical Money Skills and Money Smart offer interactive lessons on topics like saving, budgeting, and credit in a format that’s engaging and fun for kids.
By making money lessons interactive and enjoyable, we can help our children develop a positive relationship with money and build skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.
Encourage Saving and Goal Setting
One of the most valuable financial skills we can teach our children is the importance of saving money and setting financial goals. How to teach kids about money –When kids learn to delay gratification and work towards something they want, they develop a sense of pride and accomplishment that can carry over into other areas of their lives.
As a parent, I’ve found that the key to how to teach kids about money and encourage saving is to make it tangible and rewarding for kids. Here are some strategies that have worked well in our family.
Set Up a Savings Account
Opening a savings account for your child is a great way to formalize the saving process and help them feel a sense of ownership over their money. Many banks and credit unions offer special savings accounts for kids with low minimum balances and no fees.
When we opened savings accounts for our children, we made a big deal out of it. We took them to the bank, helped them fill out the paperwork, and celebrated when they made their first deposit. Seeing their name on an official account statement made the concept of saving feel more real and important to them.
Help Them Set Savings Goals
Encourage your children to set specific, achievable savings goals. Whether they’re saving up for a new toy, a special outing, or a long-term goal like college, having a clear target in mind can help keep them motivated.
I found that helping my kids break down their goals into smaller, more manageable steps was key. For instance, if they wanted to save $50 for a new video game, we would calculate how much they needed to save each week and track their progress on a chart. Celebrating milestones along the way helped keep them engaged and excited about reaching their final goal.
Provide Incentives for Meeting Savings Goals
Offering rewards or matching contributions for meeting savings goals can be a powerful motivator for kids. Consider offering a small bonus or treat when your child reaches a savings milestone, or agreeing to match a portion of their contributions to encourage them to save more.
In our family, we offered a 10% “interest rate” on our kids’ savings. For every $10 they saved, we would contribute an extra dollar. This helped them see the value of compound interest and motivated them to save as much as they could.
Use a Clear Jar for Savings
If you use a transparent piggy bank or jar for young children, they’ll easily see how their savings stack up over time. The sight of those growing collections both teaches patience and fuels motivation to stash away more cents and dollars.
According to Rachel Kerrone of Starling Bank, “Giving your kids a regular ‘income’ helps them to plan ahead and build better saving strategies than if they were given money randomly every now and then. Children’s financial literacy vastly improves when pocket money is paid routinely and regularly, and according to our own research, children who receive pocket money regularly have financial literacy scores that are 25% higher than those who do not.”
By encouraging our children to save and set financial goals from a young age, we’re helping them develop habits that will serve them well throughout their lives. With patience, consistency, and plenty of positive reinforcement, we can set our kids up for a lifetime of financial success.
Key Takeaway:
Start teaching kids about money early. Use hands-on methods like play stores, allowances, and savings jars to build financial literacy. Involve them in real-life decisions and set clear saving goals to make learning engaging and practical.
Teach the Difference Between Wants and Needs
One of the most valuable money lessons you can teach your children is the difference between wants and needs. It’s a concept that even some adults struggle with, so starting early can set your kids up for financial success.
When I first started discussing wants vs. needs with my own kids, I used examples from our daily life. “We need food because it keeps us healthy and gives us energy. But those cookies you want are not a need, they’re a want.” Helping them categorize their desires into these two buckets was eye-opening for them.
Show Kids Where Money Goes
Another way to reinforce responsible spending habits is to involve your kids in your own financial decisions. When you’re paying bills or budgeting, let them observe and ask questions.
I remember sitting down with my daughter to pay our monthly bills. As I wrote out each check, I explained what it was for – the mortgage, electricity, water, etc. She was surprised to see how many things our money needed to cover. It was a great lesson in the reality of adult financial responsibilities.
Get Kids Involved in Money Decisions
As your children get older, give them some money to manage on their own. Whether it’s through an allowance, birthday cash, or a part-time job, having their own funds teaches valuable lessons.
When my son wanted a new video game console, we discussed how he could save up for it. Each week, he set aside a portion of his allowance. Yes, it took months, but the pride he felt when he finally had enough was priceless. And that console held a lot more value for him because he’d worked so hard for it.
Remember, responsible spending habits aren’t formed overnight. It takes time, patience, and plenty of real-world practice. But by starting early and being consistent, you’re giving your kids an invaluable gift.
Allow Kids to Earn and Manage Their Own Money
Letting kids earn and manage their own money is a powerful way to teach financial responsibility. It’s one thing to talk about budgeting and saving in theory, but it’s much more impactful when they’re dealing with their own hard-earned cash.
Give Kids Pocket Money
For younger kids, pocket money can be a great teaching tool. Whether you offer an allowance or pay them for chores, having their own discretionary funds teaches valuable lessons.
In our family, we tied pocket money to specific tasks. If they wanted to earn, they had to work for it. This helped instill a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the value of a dollar.
Open a Kid-Friendly Bank Account for Them
When your child is ready, help them open their own bank account. Many banks offer special kid-friendly options with no fees and low minimum balances.
We opened savings accounts for our kids when they were in primary school. Each month, we’d visit the bank together to deposit their pocket money and any birthday or holiday cash. Seeing their balance grow was a powerful motivator to keep saving.
Remember, the goal is to give your kids real-world money experience. They’ll make mistakes, and that’s okay. The lessons they learn now will pave the way for a lifetime of financial responsibility.
Introduce Concepts of Credit, Debit, and Digital Money
In today’s increasingly cashless society, it’s crucial to teach kids about digital money management. From credit and debit cards to online banking and mobile payments, they need to understand how these tools work.
Explain Credit and Debit Cards
Start by explaining the difference between credit and debit cards. Highlight that debit cards are tied directly to the money in their bank account, while credit cards are borrowed money that must be repaid, often with interest.
I found that using real-world examples helped drive these concepts home. When we used our debit card at the grocery store, I’d explain how the money was being taken directly from our checking account. And when I paid with a credit card for a larger purchase, we discussed how I was borrowing that money and would need to pay it back when the bill came.
Teach Opportunity Cost
Another important concept to cover is opportunity cost – the idea that every financial decision has a trade-off. If you spend money on one thing, you won’t have it for something else.
We taught this lesson to our kids by giving them a set amount of money to spend at the toy store. If they chose the more expensive item, they wouldn’t have enough left over for anything else. It was a tangible way to demonstrate that money is finite and choices have consequences.
Give Your Child Responsibility
As your kids demonstrate an understanding of digital money concepts, consider giving them more responsibility. This could mean a prepaid debit card or a teen checking account with parental controls.
When our son turned 16, we opened a checking account for him and gave him a debit card. We taught him how to check his balance, make transfers, and monitor for fraudulent charges. And yes, he made a few mistakes – like forgetting to account for a recurring subscription fee. But those missteps were valuable learning experiences.
The key is to start slow and offer plenty of guidance along the way. By gradually introducing digital money concepts and responsibilities, you’re setting your kids up for a lifetime of smart financial decisions in our increasingly digital world.
Key Takeaway:
Teach kids the difference between wants and needs using real-life examples. Involve them in financial decisions to show where money goes. Let them earn and manage their own funds, such as through allowances or jobs, to build responsibility. Open kid-friendly bank accounts and introduce digital money concepts gradually.
Make Learning About Money Fun and Engaging
Learning about money doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, making it fun and engaging is one of the best ways to teach kids about money and saving.
Play Money-Themed Board Games
Board games are a great family activity that can teach valuable money lessons. Classics like Monopoly and The Game of Life introduce concepts like earning, spending, and investing in a fun, interactive way. These games spark conversations about financial decisions and their consequences. And because they’re enjoyable, kids are more likely to retain the lessons learned.
Use Kid-Friendly Money Apps
In our digital age, there are plenty of apps designed to teach kids about money in an interactive, engaging way. Apps like Spriggy, use gamification to make learning about budgeting, saving, and investing fun. They often include features like virtual banks, goal setting, and rewards to keep kids motivated. The great thing about these apps is that they meet kids where they are – on their devices – and make learning about money a fun, interactive experience.
Incorporate Money Lessons into Daily Life
One of the most effective ways to teach kids about money is to weave lessons into your daily life. This makes the concepts feel relevant and applicable.
For example, when grocery shopping, discuss budgeting and comparing prices. When planning a family vacation, involve kids in saving and budgeting for the trip. You can also use everyday situations to discuss topics like needs vs. wants, delayed gratification, and opportunity cost.
By making money talks a regular part of family life, you normalise these important conversations and help kids build a strong financial foundation. The key is to keep it light, fun, and relevant to their lives. With a little creativity, you can turn almost any activity into a valuable lesson about money and saving.
Help Older Kids and Teens Develop Advanced Financial Skills
As kids grow into teenagers, it’s important to help them develop more advanced financial skills that will serve them well in adulthood.
Teach Budgeting Skills
Budgeting is a crucial life skill that every teen should learn. Help your teen create a budget that accounts for their income, expenses, savings, and discretionary spending. Encourage them to track their spending and stick to their budget. You can use budgeting apps or a simple spreadsheet to make it easier. As they manage their own money, they’ll learn valuable lessons about living within their means, prioritizing spending, and saving for their goals.
Introduce Investing Concepts
It’s never too early to start learning about investing. Introduce your teen to basic concepts like stocks, bonds, and compound interest. Explain how investing can help their money grow over time, and consider opening a child’s bank account or custodial investment account for them to practice with. You can also encourage them to research companies they’re interested in and follow their stock performance. This hands-on learning is a great way to make investing feel relevant and exciting.
Key Takeaway:
Make learning about money fun by playing board games like Monopoly, using kid-friendly apps, and weaving lessons into daily life. For older kids, teach budgeting skills, introduce investing concepts, and discuss to help them build advanced financial skills.
Teaching kids about money doesn’t have to be complicated or dull. By integrating lessons into everyday activities, you’re helping them develop critical skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
From setting up savings goals with clear jars or piggy banks, providing pocket money for managing small expenses, all the way through explaining digital banking as they grow older—the journey is filled with valuable moments.
Your proactive approach now ensures they’ll navigate future financial decisions confidently and responsibly. Keep at it; you’re doing great work!
When was the last time you invested money into a Family Portrait Session?
