My Secure Advantage

Financial Gift Ideas for Children

Instead of giving a toy that will end up in the trash after a few months of playtime, give a gift that will keep on giving—a financial gift.
By MSA Staff

Instead of giving a toy that will end up in the trash after a few months of playtime, give a gift that will keep on giving—a financial gift.  Before you jump to the conclusion of the money your kids find tucked in their birthday card from Grandma, or the coins they find under their pillow after a visit from the Tooth Fairy, listen to a few ideas that will help your kids learn about finances in a fun way and help them in the long run.

Consider a few different children’s books about money.  These are books written for very young audiences and geared towards teaching kids how to be smart with their piggy banks.

  • Money Mama & The Three Little Pigs by Lori Mackey (for ages 4 and up)

  • The Kids Money Book: Earning * Saving * Spending * Investing * Donating by Jamie Kyle McGillian (for ages 7-10)

  • The Kid’s Guide to Money: Earning It, Saving It, Spending It, Growing It, Sharing It by Steve Otfinoski (for ages 9-12)

These books are not the sole examples or complete list of what’s out there, so if your child doesn’t seem to connect, don’t give up.

If your children don’t like to read, or maybe you already have these books, consider monetary gifts but in a different fashion than a few bucks folded in a card for special occasions.  Consider starting a college fund with a 529 Plan, which relatives can add to if they prefer monetary gifts.  This kind of gift will continue to grow over the years and will be a nice surprise when your child gets older and starts looking at colleges.

You could also consider having your children start their own savings accounts and have them add the money they receive in cards or for doing odd jobs around the house.  Show them how money in a savings account can grow with interest.  If you help them learn and practice good money habits early, they will be more likely to carry the positive practice with them into adulthood.

And, of course, one of the many ways you can teach children how to be responsible with money is to be responsible yourself!  If you have any questions, feel free to call a trustworthy and reliable Money Coach.  They can talk to you about virtually any financial topic.  They also help and encourage families to communicate with one another about finances.  Call 888-724-2326 today to get started.

Facebook ShareTweetReddit shareLinkedIn shareEmail share

More Like This

Baby & Children

You are the most important guide in your child’s or grandchild’s life. When it comes to making money matter, your role is even more critical because many of our children are unprepared for life’s financial realities. Here is a fun brain-teaser and quiz that can open up a lifetime of conversation and lessons. The Miracle […]

Events & Entertainment

The holiday season is upon us, and you know what that means.  Shopping.  (And pumpkin spice lattes, of course.)  Before you buy gobs of candy for trick-or-treaters, plan your Thanksgiving feast and look for the perfect Christmas gift, remember this:  shopping can either hurt or help your credit. Why is credit so important? In the […]

Questions & Answers

To a child, a dollar is clutched tight and put in a piggy bank where the child can count it every night. Children know the value of a dollar because to them it is a great number—a great achievement. This perspective is crucial when you seek to build a solid financial foundation. Putting a dollar […]

Holidays & Gifts

Let’s face it: many people in America are thankful at Thanksgiving because the next day is Black Friday. The deals, the sales, the dollars saved… it’s a shopper’s dream! The long lines can be worth the work when you save 50% on a flat screen for your spouse’s Christmas gift. But that competitive crowd and […]