As adults, we want to prepare children for a successful future—and that includes helping them develop smart money habits early on. Teaching kids about saving doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. In fact, it can be a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family! Here are four engaging activities to help your child learn the value of saving and making wise financial decisions.

1. The Credit Union Visit Adventure

Once your child has developed a savings habit, take it a step further with a special trip to one of our nine locations. A visit to the credit union is an exciting way to help them understand how money works in the real world.

What to do on your visit:

• Open a Johnny Appleseed or Teen Advantage account if they don’t have one yet. Explain how their money will be kept safe and can even grow over time with dividends.
• Show them how deposits work by letting them hand their savings to the teller.
• Talk about the importance of financial institutions and how they help people manage money wisely.
• Show them how they can track their balance digitally through our online banking services.

Making a trip to the credit union an exciting milestone helps kids feel more responsible and invested in their savings journey.

2. The Savings Jar Challenge

A simple yet effective way to introduce children to saving is by using a savings jar. Unlike digital banking, a jar provides a tangible way for kids to see their money grow over time.

How to get started:

• Give your child a clear jar to use as their personal savings bank.
• Encourage them to decorate it with stickers, drawings, or labels that represent their savings goal (e.g., a new toy, a special treat, or a fun experience).
• Set up a small reward system. For example, for every $10 they save, you could contribute an extra dollar to show the benefit of growing savings.

This visual and hands-on approach makes saving feel real and rewarding, helping children connect their actions to their financial goals.

3. The “Save the Change” Game

It’s easy to overlook spare change, but small amounts can add up over time. This activity teaches children that even pennies and nickels have value and can contribute to bigger financial goals.

How to play:

• Give your child a small jar or container to collect spare change they find around the house or earn from small tasks.
• At the end of each week, count the money together and discuss how much they’ve saved.
• Set savings milestones and offer encouragement when they reach different levels (e.g., $5, $10, $20).
• If they want to, they can deposit their savings into a real account to watch it grow even more.

This game reinforces the habit of saving by showing that even the smallest contributions can lead to something significant.

4. Keeping a Money Journal

A money journal is a great way to introduce budgeting and tracking spending. As kids get older, understanding where their money goes is an essential skill.

How to implement it:

• Give your child a notebook or create a simple spreadsheet where they can track money received (allowance, gifts, chore money) and money spent.
• Have them write down what they save versus what they spend and reflect on their choices.
• Encourage them to set savings goals and jot down what they’re saving for.

By documenting their financial habits, children can develop a greater awareness of their spending decisions and learn to make thoughtful choices about money.

Teaching children to save doesn’t have to feel like a chore—it can be an engaging and empowering experience. Whether through a simple savings jar, a fun game, journaling, or a hands-on banking experience, these activities help kids build confidence and financial literacy that will benefit them for years to come.