9 More Age-Appropriate Activities for Teaching Kids About Money
Finding age-appropriate activities to help your kids learn about money doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it’s actually pretty easy if you know where to look!
To help make this process just a little bit easier for you, here is a detailed list of a few of the most popular activities you can introduce to your little ones to get them excited about finances and put them on the right track to becoming financially successful adults.
Three to Five-Year-Olds
Printables
The internet is practically swimming with fun printables you can use to teach your kids about money management. From coloring sheets detailing the size and appearance of coins to cute little money puzzles, bill identification games, and much more, you’re sure to find fun printable activities that will engage your kids.
Coin Caterpillars
If you don’t have access to a printer, but still love the ease of a printable activity sheet, coin caterpillars may be the right fit for you. To create these fun learning tools, you’ll just need a handful of coins, blank paper, and a pen. Arrange the coins in a wiggly line on the page, add legs and antennae to make them look appropriately caterpillar-y, and then help your kids through basic addition and identification skills by having them calculate how much money each caterpillar is worth.
Money Sorting
Money sorting activities are another great tool to teach coin identification and addition skills. For this activity, you pour a handful of coins on a table and have your children sort them. They can sort in many different ways–by value, to reach certain dollar amounts or any other method you prefer.
Five to Seven-Year-Olds
Make a Piggy Bank
Younger children typically have a knack for crafts, so having them engage in a creative project, like making their own piggy banks, can engage them with finances on many levels. Primarily, making their own piggy bank can get kids excited about contributing money to fill them up and encourage them to save more money.
Play Monopoly
If your kids enjoy board games, Monopoly (or Monopoly jr!) can be a great tool to use in teaching them about finances. They’ll learn to count change, exchange money for items of value, and that earning money takes time as they make their way around the board. Additionally, playing with houses and hotels can teach them about property rent and bargaining, depending on your family’s Monopoly rules.
Online Math Games
Most kids love video games–anything with an interactive screen can keep them both distracted and engaged for long periods of time. Fortunately for you, there are video games online that are specifically designed to be educational and teach children about smart financial habits.
Seven to Ten-Year-Olds
Have a Lemonade Stand
Whether you choose to sell lemonade, snow cones, hot chocolate, or any other treat, helping your kids set up a stand to sell homemade products is an excellent tool to teach a plethora of financial skills. They’ll be able to learn about counting change, exchanging goods for money, and even get their first taste at setting up a business.
Cook a Meal
Another great way you can get older children involved with finances is by having them plan a family meal. You can set a budget maximum that’s suitable for a typical family meal, then your child will be responsible for choosing a meal and budgeting the portions and necessary ingredients to make it happen. They don’t need to prepare the entire meal themselves, but having them present to see just how all the groceries they purchased are used can teach them many valuable financial skills.