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Financial Education Resources for Kids Ages 3-7

It’s never too early to practice healthy financial habits, and there’s no better place to start than at home! That’s why we’ve compiled this list of financial education resources (geared toward children ages 3-7) to help you get the conversation started. We recommend previewing the content before sharing with a child to ensure it speaks to just-the-right age and comprehension level. Let’s get to it! 

Adults: Before your child dives in, take a peek at the content to ensure it’s tailored to their age and understanding. Get ready for a fantastic financial journey! 

Books

Reading aloud to or with your child is a great way to spark discussion, enjoy the content at your pace, and reinforce important lessons about saving, spending, and making informed choices. Here are a few of our favorites: 

  1. Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst - Alexander receives a dollar as a gift and imagines all the things he will buy. However, he soon learns about the realities of money management. Topics highlighted: Spending, saving, and making choices with money
  2. Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting Money by Emily Jenkins - Follow along with siblings Pauline and John-John as they set up a lemonade stand in an unconventional season. Topics highlighted: Basic math skills, counting money, the concept of a business venture
  3. The Go-Around Dollar by Barbara Johnston Adams - Join a dollar bill as it takes an adventure, changing hands multiple times. Topics highlighted: Money’s various uses and the concept of circulation

Board Games

By using board games as educational tools, adults can make financial education enjoyable and relatable for young children. Board games foster essential skills, allowing children to actively participate in the learning process.  

  1. Monopoly Junior - With colorful characters and quick gameplay, this simplified version of the classic is a fun, easy introduction to basic money management skills. Topics highlighted: Counting money and making spending decisions
  2. Buy It Right Shopping Game - Move around the board, buying and selling items ranging from a goldfish to a stereo. The game comes with a calculator, play money, and shopping carts for a more immersive experience. Topics highlighted: Money recognition, adding and making change

Websites or Apps

In a sea of countless websites just a click away. We’ve done the research and handpicked a selection of our favorite sites. These platforms cater to different learning levels and go the extra mile by incorporating engaging multimedia elements like videos, animations, and interactive charts. Take a look:  

  1. Sesame Workshop - Let beloved Sesame Street characters help your child understand money and learn to make good financial decisions with free, bilingual resources. Topics highlighted: Saving, spending, making money choices
  2. Money as You Grow - Created by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, this site offers age-appropriate resources and topics to start money conversations with your child. Topics highlighted: Saving and goal setting, spending wisely
  3. ABCya - If your child learns best through play, ABCya is a no-brainer! ABCya features tailored content for grades Pre-K through 6th grade, including money-minded games like “Money BINGO” and “Break the Bank.” There’s also an ABCya iOS app (note: some games require an in-app subscription). Topics highlighted: Counting, money recognition, consumer skills

Podcasts

Podcasts provide an audio-based learning experience, allowing children to listen and absorb information at their own pace. This format, which is accessible and convenient, is perfect for car rides, while doing chores, or before bedtime. 

  1. Million Bazillion by Marketplace - This podcast’s goal is to inspire money conversations between kids and adults. While many of their topics are geared toward older children, some episodes may also speak to younger audiences. Check out episodes like “How Much is a Pet Dinosaur Worth?” and “Where Did Money Come From?” Topics highlighted: Invention of money, currency and exchange
  2. Brains On! by American Public Media - Primarily a science podcast for kids, Brains On! occasionally covers money-related topics as well. Episodes like “The Tale of the Monstrous Money Muncher” and “How to Save the Economy on $12 a Year” can start conversations as fun as they are educational. Topics highlighted: Earning and saving, budgeting, currency and exchange

Keep it going!

Explore our Vault Education Hub for additional kid-focused resources covering important financial topics.  

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