If there’s one thing I wish I’d learned more about when I was growing up it’s money. Or perhaps I simply didn’t pay enough attention to any of life’s lessons about it along the way, because to this day I still wonder where all my money has gone when I arrive at the checkout and there’s not enough left in our account for my enormous trolley full of groceries. I’m hoping that talking about money and helping my kids to understand it’s value will help them to get a better grip on it than I currently do when they are adults, and I mean more than just telling them the new toy they want is too expensive or lecturing them about how money doesn’t grow on trees. At our place we do weekly pocket money as well as school banking for savings and sometimes we play junior monopoly (they love that game!), but so far that’s as far as we’ve gotten.
Today I’ve rounded up 20 awesome-looking activities from around the web to give us – and you – a bit more inspiration. There are sensory activities for preschoolers and toddlers, pretend play ideas, ideas to help learn about saving, STEM activities and more. I figure that they need to be well acquainted and comfortable with money if they’re going to be in control of it when they grow up. So without further ado here are the 20 Crafts and Activities to get your kids learning about, playing with and having fun with money:
Play ideas
From top left:
Treasure chest for toddlers by I can teach my child
Money Slime by Still Playing School
Penny Spinners by Frugal Fun for Boys
Salt Dough Coins by Twodaloo
Learning ideas
From Top Left:
Age appropriate money chore chart by A little learning for two writing for Childhood 101
Free printable counting coins matching game by Life Over C’s
“Mom I need money” job chart by One Good Thing by Jillee
Coin rubbing matching game by Kids Play Box
Cleaning coins using common household ingredients by Education.com
Surface tension with drops of water on a coin by Science kiddo
Playing and Learning
From Top Left:
DIY Cardboard cash register by Handmade Charlotte
How many pennies can your lego boat hold before it sinks by Handmade Kids Art
How to make clay Roman coins by The Consortium Education
In Hand Manipulation with Coins by Sugar Aunts
Printable and customisable credit cards for play by Crazy Craft Lady
Printable play money by Kids Activities Blog
Ways to save and give
From Top Left:
DIY Shadow bank by A Mom’s Take
Super Hero Money Banks by Fireflies and Mud Pies
Money Balloons by Sugar and Charm
Spend, Save, Give money banks by Infarrantly Creative
What tips and tricks do you use to teach your kids about managing money? I’d love some more inspiration.
*This post contains an affiliate link
More learning activities for kids
• Make a DIY shoe lacing card
• Create your own board game with a repurposed cereal box
• Make a fun DIY Giant Dice for play
• Make some sparkly, shimmering Lucky Dice Shakers
• Make some mesmerising oil and water discovery bottles
These activities can help them see the value of money and boost their knowledge in this early stage of their life. It can also help me save more money from buying brand new and expensive educational toys.