DISCOUNTED EDUCATION PRICING! CALL 1-877-891-8411. We Gladly Accept School Purchase Orders!

Teaching Financial Literacy to Kids: Building Money Skills in 2025

Illustration of a diverse group of kids learning about money, with coins, dollar bills, piggy banks, and charts representing savings, budgeting, and financial literacy concepts.
Share it

Want to set your kids up for a financially secure future? Teaching financial literacy to kids is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. In 2025, with only 57% of U.S. adults financially literate (Milken Institute), starting early is crucial. This ultimate guide to financial literacy for kids equips parents, educators, and homeschoolers with the best financial literacy resources for children, engaging activities, games, and expert tips to teach kids about money management. From budgeting to investing, our guide covers it all, including a free downloadable chart and an interactive quiz to make learning fun. Ready to empower the next generation? Let’s dive into how to teach kids about money management!

Search Tip: Looking for “financial literacy for kids,” “teaching kids about money,” or “financial literacy activities for children”? You’re in the right place!

Why Financial Literacy for Kids Matters

Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage money effectively, covering skills like budgeting, saving, investing, and avoiding debt. According to the Money and Pensions Service, only 47% of children receive meaningful financial education, leaving millions unprepared for adulthood. Teaching kids financial literacy early builds confidence, reduces debt risks, and fosters lifelong habits. “Financial literacy provides a bright future,” says Louise Hill, CEO of GoHenry (GoHenry). Kids who learn money skills are more likely to save, invest wisely, and avoid scams (Investopedia).

Benefits of Early Financial Education:

  • Economic Confidence: Kids learn to budget, save, and spend wisely.
  • Lower Debt:ម
  • Long-Term Wealth: Financially literate kids are £70,000 richer in retirement (GoHenry).
  • Fraud Protection: Understanding money helps kids avoid scams (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau).

Want to stay ahead? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly parenting and EdTech tips!

Top 5 Resources for Teaching Financial Literacy to Kids in 2025

Here are the best financial literacy resources for children, tested and loved by parents, educators, and kids:

1. GoHenry: Interactive Money Missions

  • What It Does: GoHenry’s app offers “Money Missions,” engaging lessons on budgeting, saving, and investing, paired with a kid-friendly debit card (GoHenry).
  • Why It’s Awesome: Combines real-world practice with gamified learning for ages 6–18. “My son learned to budget his allowance!” says @ParentPower on X.
  • How to Use It: Kids complete missions in the app to earn points and learn skills. Read our GoHenry review.
  • Cost: Subscription-based, free trial available.
  • Link: Start with GoHenry

2. Khan Academy: Free Financial Literacy Courses

  • What It Does: Offers free online courses on personal finance for ages 10+ (Khan Academy).
  • Why It’s Awesome: Covers budgeting, investing, and credit with videos and quizzes. Trusted by millions.
  • How to Use It: Sign up for free, choose the Financial Literacy course, and learn at your own pace. See our study tips.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Link: Khan Academy Financial Literacy

3. Zogo App: Gamified Money Lessons

  • What It Does: A free app with 400+ modules on banking, budgeting, and retirement for ages 13+ (Zogo).
  • Why It’s Awesome: Rewards kids with gift cards for completing lessons. Perfect for teens.
  • How to Use It: Download the app, pick modules, and earn rewards. Explore teen money hacks.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Link: Get Zogo

4. MoneyTime: Comprehensive Curriculum

  • What It Does: A digital program for ages 10–14 covering 30 topics like earning, saving, and investing (MoneyTime).
  • Why It’s Awesome: Self-paced with a parent guide for homeschoolers. “My daughter loves the lessons!” says @HomeschoolMom on X.
  • How to Use It: Enroll online, follow the 30-minute lessons. Check our homeschool guide.
  • Cost: Subscription-based.
  • Link: Try MoneyTime

5. Practical Money Skills: Games and Curriculum

  • What It Does: Visa’s free platform offers games like Financial Football and lesson plans for ages 5+ (Practical Money Skills).
  • Why It’s Awesome: Fun games teach budgeting and credit management.
  • How to Use It: Play games like Peter Pig’s Money Counter or use teacher guides. See our game-based learning tips.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Link: Practical Money Skills

Comparison Chart: Top Financial Literacy Tools for Kids

ToolAge RangeKey FeaturesCostPlatforms
GoHenry6–18Money Missions, debit card, budgetingSubscriptionApp (iOS, Android)
Khan Academy10+Free courses, videos, quizzesFreeWeb, App
Zogo App13+Gamified lessons, rewardsFreeApp (iOS, Android)
MoneyTime10–1430-topic curriculum, parent guideSubscriptionWeb
Practical Money Skills5+Games (Financial Football), lesson plansFreeWeb, App

Key Financial Literacy Topics for Kids

Based on MoneyTime and GoHenry, here are essential topics to teach:

  1. Earning: Teach kids how money is earned via chores, jobs, or businesses (BrightChamps).
  2. Saving: Explain savings accounts and interest (Investopedia).
  3. Budgeting: Show how to allocate money for spending, saving, and giving (InCharge).
  4. Spending: Discuss needs vs. wants and smart spending (GoHenry).
  5. Investing: Introduce basics like stocks and Roth IRAs (GoHenry).
  6. Borrowing: Cover loans, credit scores, and debt management (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau).

Pro Tip: Use real-life scenarios (e.g., grocery shopping) to make lessons relatable (GoHenry).

Engaging Financial Literacy Activities for Kids

  1. Board Games: Play Monopoly or The Game of Life to teach budgeting and investing (The Education Plan).
  2. Apps: Use Saving Spree or Peter Pig’s Money Counter for interactive learning (Practical Money Skills).
  3. Piggy Bank Challenges: Set savings goals for toys or outings (BrightChamps).
  4. Role-Playing: Simulate running a lemonade stand to teach profit and loss (Biz Kid$).
  5. Budget Worksheets: Use InCharge’s worksheets for ages 4–12 to practice categorizing money.

Case Studies: Real Kids, Real Results

Case Study 1: Emma’s Savings Success

Emma, 10, used GoHenry’s Money Missions to save $50 for a new bike. “She learned to prioritize needs over wants,” her mom shared on X. Try GoHenry.

Case Study 2: Jake’s Investment Journey

Jake, 14, took Khan Academy’s course and opened a Roth IRA. “He’s excited about his money growing!” says his dad. Start with Khan Academy.

Case Study 3: Mia’s Business Venture

Mia, 12, used MoneyTime to start a dog-walking business, earning $200 in a summer. “She learned profit and loss!” her teacher noted. Explore MoneyTime.

  • Digital Payments: With only 19% of payments in cash (GoHenry), teach kids about digital wallets.
  • Gamification: Apps like Zogo make learning fun and rewarding (Zogo).
  • Early Investing: Roth IRAs gain popularity for kids’ long-term wealth (GoHenry).
  • School Mandates: Only 50% of schools require financial literacy (NEA), so parents must step up.
  • Scam Awareness: Teach kids to spot online fraud (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau).

Stay Ahead: Join our financial literacy webinar for 2025 trends!

FAQs: Teaching Financial Literacy to Kids

Q: At what age should I start teaching financial literacy?
A: Start at age 4 with simple concepts like coin recognition (InCharge). For teens, cover credit and investing (GoHenry).

Q: Are these resources free?
A: Khan Academy, Zogo, and Practical Money Skills are free; GoHenry and MoneyTime require subscriptions. Compare costs.

Q: How do I make financial literacy fun?
A: Use games, apps, and real-life scenarios like shopping or chores (Brightly).

Q: Can kids really invest?
A: Yes, tools like Roth IRAs let kids invest tax-free (GoHenry). Learn more.

Your Child’s Financial Future Starts Now—Here’s Why It Matters

Raising money-smart kids isn’t just a nice idea—it’s one of the most important gifts you can give them. Financial literacy is more than learning how to save or budget—it’s about building confidence, decision-making skills, and a sense of independence that will serve your children for life.

In a world of credit cards, student loans, online shopping, and digital wallets, your kids will face financial decisions earlier than ever before. Without basic money skills, young people often become overwhelmed, make costly mistakes, or miss out on opportunities. But when they’re taught how money works from a young age, they grow up with clarity, confidence, and control over their future. With the rise of AI in the classroom, it’s important to give your kids the building blocks to learning about the basics of finance.

🎓 Benefits of Teaching Finances to Your Kids:

  • Stronger Decision-Making Skills: Kids who understand budgeting and saving make more thoughtful choices—not just with money, but across life.
  • Increased Responsibility: When children learn about earning, spending, and goal-setting, they develop a stronger sense of accountability.
  • Reduced Anxiety Around Money: Financial literacy can ease future stress by giving your child the tools to handle challenges confidently.
  • Long-Term Wealth-Building: Early education around investing, credit, and compound interest can create lifelong habits that lead to financial freedom.
  • Smarter Digital Spending: In today’s cashless world, kids need to understand how to navigate debit cards, online purchases, and even digital currencies responsibly.

🛠️ Ready to Start? We’ve Got You Covered

If you’re wondering where to begin, you’re not alone. Start with age-appropriate, trusted resources like GoHenry (a kid-friendly debit card with lessons built in) or Khan Academy’s free financial literacy courses. Whether your child is 6 or 16, there are tools designed to meet them where they are.

Newsletter

Signup our newsletter to get update information, news, insight or promotions.
Contact
Contact us for a quote or a free poster sample.