Let’s be honest—talking about how kids save money doesn’t sound nearly as exciting as spending it, especially when you’re a kid eyeing the latest toy or the biggest scoop of ice cream at the shop. But what if saving money was just as fun as spending it? What if it felt like an epic game where kids could win at being money-smart?
Well, good news: It can be! If you’re a parent trying to teach your kids the value of saving—or a kid looking to build up some serious piggy bank power—these five super fun savings strategies will make the process feel like an adventure. No yawning allowed!
1. The Piggy Bank Party (With a Twist!)
Sure, every kid has had a piggy bank at some point, but have they ever had a piggy bank party? Here’s how it works:
- Every time they drop in a coin or a dollar, they get to ring a tiny bell, do a happy dance, or add a fun sticker to their “Money Master” chart.
- Parents can match their savings for extra motivation (think of it as a “boss battle” level in the game of saving!).
- Once the piggy bank is full, make a big deal out of counting it together and deciding what portion goes toward savings, spending, and giving.
🎉 Bonus fun: Get a transparent piggy bank so kids can see their money growing—trust us, it’s way more exciting than it sounds!
Check out this cool piggy bank to help kids see their savings grow!
For older kids, check out this great debit card!
2. Goal Charts: The Roadmap to Riches
Kids love visuals (who doesn’t?!), so let’s make savings visible with a goal chart.
- Pick a savings goal: A new video game? A Lego set? A trip to the zoo?
- Draw a colorful chart with milestones to track progress.
- Every time they save money, they fill in a section of the chart or move a sticker along a fun savings path.
💡 Parent Pro Tip: Set small rewards along the way—maybe an extra 10 minutes of screen time or a fun outing for hitting savings milestones!
Download a free savings goal chart template here!
3. Jar Magic: The Money Sorting Game
Instead of just tossing money into one big pot, let’s break it down into three jars:
- Save (for big goals)
- Spend (for smaller, fun things now)
- Give (to help others—because generosity is important, too!)
Seeing money grow in different jars helps kids grasp the idea of budgeting without even realizing they’re learning! And let’s be real, there’s something deeply satisfying about hearing coins clink into a jar.
🏆 Savings Challenge: At the end of each month, count up what’s in the jars and see if they can beat their previous month’s savings!
Find a fun 3-jar savings system for kids here!
4. Allowance Split: The 50/30/20 Rule (Kid Edition!)
Adults follow the 50/30/20 rule (50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings). Kids can follow their own version:
- 50% for saving (because future-you deserves something awesome!)
- 30% for spending (because an occasional treat is fun!)
- 20% for giving (because helping others feels great!)
This method turns allowance into a mini financial education tool—without the boring lectures. Plus, it stops kids from blowing their entire allowance on impulse buys (cough cough candy and Roblox).*
💡 Fun Twist: Give them a special wallet to keep their “spend” money separate from savings.
Check out this kid-friendly wallet for budgeting!
5. The Great Savings Race
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right? Get siblings or friends involved in a savings challenge to see who can save the most in a month.
- Set a time frame (one month, two months, etc.).
- Keep a leaderboard with progress updates.
- The winner gets a fun (but frugal) prize—like picking the family movie or an extra bedtime story.
Even if they don’t “win,” every kid walks away with more money saved than before. And, plot twist, they’ve learned financial responsibility without realizing it!
🚀 Bonus Round: Double the prize if they meet their savings goal two months in a row!
Check out fun reward ideas for kids like this great camera for kids to use for their next adventure!
Final Thoughts: Make Saving Fun!
They don’t have to feel like they’re missing out when kids save money—they should feel like they’re winning at a game! Whether it’s through goal charts, piggy bank parties, or a savings competition, these fun methods help kids develop money-smart habits that will stick with them for life.
Want more awesome tips on teaching kids about money? Check out our latest blog posts on Kids Money Hub! 🚀
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