Financial Education Resources for Kids Ages 8-12

Ready to become a money genius? The adventure begins at home with these resources for young explorers aged 8-12, carefully curated to spark meaningful conversations.  Teens learning about financial education

Adults: Before your child dives in, take a peek at the content to ensure it’s tailored to their age and understanding. Get ready for a fantastic financial journey!  

Websites and Apps

Sorting through the countless websites dedicated to financial education can be a little overwhelming. (OK, maybe a lot overwhelming.) That’s why we’ve done the research and handpicked a selection of our favorites. These resources cater to different learning levels and go the extra mile by incorporating engaging multimedia elements like videos, animations, and interactive charts. Take a look:  

  1. EconEdLink - Created by the Council for Economic Education, this site features a variety of games, simulations, and activities to teach personal finance and economics. We especially recommend The Perfect Pet! Topics highlighted: Decision-making, economics, goods and services
  2. Money as You Grow - This Consumer Financial Protection Bureau site offers age-appropriate resources and topics to start engaging money conversations with your child. Topics highlighted: Saving and goal setting, spending wisely
  3. The Game of Life - This app-based version of the classic board game incorporates heaps of foundational financial concepts for a fun, new spin (there’s plenty of non-financial fun along the way as well). This version is designed especially for tablets and is free to download (but does offer in-app purchases). Topics highlighted: Budgeting, decision-making

Podcasts

Podcasts are perfect for absorbing information at your own page. They’re also an excellent companion for car rides, while doing chores, or before bedtime. 

  1. Million Bazillion by Marketplace - This podcast’s goal is to inspire money conversations between kids and adults. Led by a group of relatable young hosts, topics range from saving and spending to investing and making savvy money decisions. Topics highlighted: A little of everything
  2. Money with Mak & G by EduCounting - Hosted by 11-year old twins, this podcast is made up of bite-sized “minisodes,” each tackling a different financial topic. At 8-10 minutes, episodes are just the right length for a quick commute or while running errands. Topics highlighted: Payment types, investing, the stock market

Books

Books offer a wealth of knowledge and practical examples to demystify complex concepts. The ones below offer a gateway into the world of personal finance, covering important lessons through relatable characters and engaging narratives. 

  1. The Kids’ Money Book: Earning, Saving, Spending, Investing, Donating by Jamie Kyle McGillan - This guide offers practical tips, interactive quizzes, and exciting activities to sharpen children’s financial skills. Topics highlighted: Earning, saving, spending, investing, donating
  2. The Secret Life of Money: A Kids’ Guide to Cash by Kira Vermond and Clayton Hanmer - Packed with intriguing anecdotes, real-world connections, and captivating comics, this book offers a fresh perspective on cash. Dive into the history of currencies, spending trends, and the ways money influences our lives. Topics highlighted: Saving, investing, how money changes and influences behavior

Board Games

Through the power of board games, you can transform financial education into a relatable experience you’ll be talking about long after the dice are put away. These games aren’t only fun but, they also cultivate crucial skills, enabling children to actively engage in the learning journey.  

  1. The Game of Life - Not to be confused with the digital version mentioned above, this go-to family game is a classic for a reason. As you travel across the board, you’ll have to make important choices about careers, education, and investments, all while gaining valuable insights into budgeting, decision-making, and the impact of financial decisions. Topics highlighted: Budgeting, decision-making
  2. Payday - Another classic, this game explores the challenges of managing a budget in a safe, stress-free environment. Experience the thrill of receiving a monthly salary and making strategic spending decisions. It’s a fantastic tool for grasping basic budgeting concepts and instilling the importance of spending wisely. Topics highlighted: Spending, saving, investing, budgeting

Keep it going!

Explore our Vault Education Hub for additional kid-focused resources covering important financial topics.  

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