Activities with kids - make sure the penny drops!

If you are interested in teaching your children to look after their money well you will like the following activity suitable for children 3 years and older (or whenever you can be sure they don't swallow stuff unexpectedly). If you haven't already got one, get your little champ a savings box (or make them one) - make sure you can get the coins out without having to break the box. Go to the bank and get $10 in various coins. Toss the coins on the floor or a table and get junior to put them in the savings box. Once they are all in, open the box and toss them out again, etc. This activity is great for practising counting and for introducing the concept of money (i.e. you can use "this coin" to buy a ball in the $1 shop). You can also use the coins to get your child to group them by colour or size etc.

Over time you can also start talking about "saving up" for something. The savings box is also a great way to get rid off some spare change in your wallet every now and then. Once the box is full you can decide with junior what to spend it on.

Enjoy

-Stef