by Emily Hechler 
Financial literacy is all about understanding how money works. It’s more than just budgeting and saving though, it covers a lot of different ideas. Even as adults, some of these concepts can be tricky. Now try explaining them to your kids!
But teaching kids about money (aka having financial literacy) is really important. Their natural curiosity means they’re always asking questions, which is a great opportunity to help them learn. If you have a good grasp on financial literacy, can you confidently explain concepts to your kids in a way that they can understand?
There are plenty of helpful resources out there to teach kids about money. No matter how old your child is or how they learn best, there’s something out there that will work for them. Here’s a list of great financial literacy tools to help your child get a solid understanding of money.
Resources for Toddlers
Teaching toddlers about money can be tricky. Fortunately, these respected resources are here to help you teach your child about money at an early age.
Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit behind the beloved preschool show Sesame Street. The website has a plethora of financial education resources for your little ones. Videos, printable pages, and games keep your young kids coming back for more fun with their tv friends.
Money Smart for Young People
Money Smart for Young People is curriculum from the FDIC. The curriculum is designed as lesson plans for teachers. However, these are great to use at home with your kids too. The lesson plans include suggestions for other books about the topics in the lessons. The curriculum also includes parent guides that can be used to enhance the lesson’s key concepts or as standalone resources. They offer practical activities and conversion starters about saving, financial goals, smart spending decisions, and more.
Resources for School-Age Kids
Depending on your kid’s learning style and personality, some resources may work better than others. Whether your child likes to have conversations, read, listen to a podcast, or learn hands-on, they can grow to be financially literate.
Ramsey Solutions
Ramsey Solutions is operated by debt-free guru Dave Ramsey. They offer kids’ books about sharing and having a thankful attitude. Plus, they also have several free resources to teach healthy spending, saving, and giving habits. The website also has tips and resources for parents to teach about giving an allowance, understanding money, and regularly saving money.
Million Bazillion
Million Bazillion is an engaging podcast designed to help kids understand money in a fun, accessible way. Through relatable stories, playful humor, and real-life examples, Million Bazillion breaks down financial concepts like saving, budgeting, and smart spending, helping kids build a strong foundation in financial literacy. If your kids are auditory learners, then this is a great resource for them.
Cash Kid
Cash Kid is a podcast with a 4.7 out of 5 star rating on Spotify. This podcast is ideal for older kids since it’s hosted by a 7th grader and the topics are more in-depth. Cash Kid is a great option for parents to listen to with their kids. The website also has more resources for parents to help guide conversations with their kids.
TED-ED
TED-ED videos cover a wide range of topics, including financial literacy. The concepts are shown through appealing graphics in roughly five-minute long videos. The YouTube channel can be a great resource for older kids who don’t need a lot of examples and can grasp concepts quickly.
Khan Academy
I found Khan Academy while I was in college, but didn’t realize that they had resources for kids too. They offer several free courses related to economics and financial literacy that are great for older kids. Users earn points as they go to encourage them to master the concepts. Khan Academy wants its users to understand the concepts well, so it pushes you to keep trying if you don’t do well on a quiz.
Zogo
Zogo is a financial literacy app with 21 categories and over 380 short lessons. These lessons are great for older kids and even adults. As you complete courses, you earn point pineapples that you can exchange for real rewards like gift cards to Starbucks, Amazon, and Target. Enter access code ALLTRUCU for a free account.
Choose the Right Resources
Understanding and teaching financial literacy can be difficult. That’s why we have great resources like these and knowledgeable staff that can help you understand your financial situation. If you want more resources for understanding finances as an adult, check out our blog and let us help you make great financial decisions.
