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Are your kids out of school for the summer? Now is the perfect time to boost their financial knowledge. Starting your kids off early with good money habits can set them up for long-term success. Whether your child is just learning to count coins or managing a part-time paycheck, there are fun, age-appropriate ways to build financial confidence.

Here’s how you can start at every stage:

Ages 3–6: Start with the Basics

At this age, kids are curious and love to learn by doing. Use playtime to introduce money in simple, hands-on ways.

Try These Activities:

• Sorting coins: Teach the names and values of coins using real money or play versions.
• Pretend play store: Set up a mini “shop” at home so they can “buy” and “sell” with you.
• Read: There are children’s books that introduce the topic of money in a fun and light-hearted way.

Consider opening an Explorer’s Club Account¹ so they can begin understanding where money is kept and how saving works. Ask a Family Trust branch representative about our map and “adventure” collection. Children can collect stickers and work towards fun goals as they save.

Ages 7–10: Introduce Saving and Budgeting Basics

Once kids can grasp simple math, they’re ready to learn about saving, spending, and sharing.

Try These Activities:

• 3-part jars: Label jars "Save," "Spend," and "Give" and let your child divide up birthday money or allowance.
• Create a simple summer budget: If they want to buy a toy or treat, help them plan how many weeks of saving it will take.
• Visit your credit union: Show them how to deposit money into their account and talk about what it means to earn interest. Set up an Explorer’s Club Account¹ to get the excited about putting half of their birthday cash into their own account to save.

If your little one doesn’t already have an Explorer’s Club Account¹, this is another good way to get kids this age excited about healthy money habits. Ask a Family Trust branch representative about our map and “adventure” collection. Children can collect stickers and work towards fun goals as they save.

Ages 11–13: Encourage Goal Setting and Earning

Pre-teens love independence, so give them opportunities to earn money and make small financial decisions.

Try These Activities:

• Chore contracts: Let them negotiate a weekly payment for extra chores around the house.
• Short-term savings goal: Help them save for a bigger item like a video game or concert tickets.
• Track spending: Use a notebook or simple app to monitor how they use their money.

Talk about the power of compound interest and use a calculator to show how savings can grow over time. Introduce them to certificates¹ and other saving methods¹.

Ages 14–17: Teach Real-World Money Management

This is the perfect time to introduce more advanced topics like debit cards, credit, and long-term savings.

Try These Activities:

• Create a real budget: If they have a summer job, help them build a budget that includes saving, spending, and maybe even giving.
• Set up online banking access: Show them how to check balances, monitor spending, and transfer funds.
• Talk about credit and loans: Discuss what it means to borrow money and how credit scores work.

There’s no age limit for members who seek free financial counseling services at Family Trust. Request a session here.

Set a savings challenge: For example, save $300 by the end of the summer to go toward a future car or college expenses. This might also be a good time to introduce them to online banking² and the Family Trust app³.

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Summer is a great time to lay the foundation to financial literacy in a way that feels fun and relevant to kids of all ages. By introducing your children to budgeting, saving, and responsible spending early, you’re giving them tools they’ll use for a lifetime.

Need help getting started? Explore our account made just for youth¹, certificates¹, request financial counseling for members, or talk with a team member in-branch or at http://www.familytrust.org. We're here to help your family achieve financial success together.

Federally Insured by NCUA

1. Must meet membership and eligibility requirements to open account.

2. Online access requires joint owner (parent/legal guardian) consent. Certain features may be limited for youth accounts

3. Family Trust does not charge for this service; however, your wireless carrier’s data rates may apply.