Fun and Interactive Savings Challenge Ideas for Kids and Teens

Teaching kids and teens about the value of money and the importance of saving can be a tricky task. Lectures and boring charts might not do the trick. But fear not! By incorporating fun and interactive saving challenges, you can turn saving into an exciting adventure that sets them up for financial success in the future.

Here are some creative Savings Challenge Ideas for different age groups:

For Young Children (Ages 5-8):

• The Colorful Coin Challenge: Grab a clear jar and decorate it together. Divide construction paper into different colored sections and label them with amounts (e.g., pennies, nickels, dimes). Encourage your child to sort their found or earned coins and deposit them in the designated sections. Watching the jar fill up with colorful coins will keep them engaged and visually show their progress.

• The Sticker Savings Chart: Create a chart with a fun goal at the end (e.g., new toy, trip to the zoo). Decorate the chart with stickers or drawings. Every time your child saves a certain amount, they get to add a sticker to the chart. Seeing the chart fill up with stickers provides a sense of accomplishment and keeps them motivated.

• The Allowance Challenge: If your child receives an allowance, introduce the concept of saving a portion. Use a piggy bank or a decorated box divided into two sections – “Spend” and “Save.” Help them decide how much to allocate to each section based on their goals. This teaches them about budgeting and delayed gratification.

For Tweens (Ages 9-12):

• The 52-Week Challenge: This classic challenge is a great way to instill consistent saving habits. Find a chart with 52 sections, one for each week of the year. Decide on a set amount to save each week (it can increase gradually over the year) and have them deposit the money in a designated jar or piggy bank. This teaches them about commitment and the power of small, consistent saving.

• The “No Spend” Weekend Challenge: Choose a weekend where your child agrees to resist impulse purchases. Instead, plan free or low-cost activities like visiting the library, playing board games, or going for a bike ride. At the end of the weekend, let them keep the money they would have otherwise spent. This teaches them about budgeting and the value of experiences over material things.

• The “Round Up” Challenge: Many banks and budgeting apps offer a “round up” feature that rounds up your debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and deposits the difference into your savings. Challenge your tween to track the round-up amount weekly or monthly. They’ll be surprised at how much they can accumulate with this effortless method.

For Teens (Ages 13 and Up):

• The “Goal Getter” Challenge: Help your teen define a specific saving goal, like a new phone, concert tickets, or a contribution towards a car. Research the cost of the item and create a timeline for reaching the goal. Encourage them to find ways to earn extra money through chores, side hustles, or online gigs. This teaches them about goal setting, financial responsibility, and the value of hard work.

• The “Subscription Detox” Challenge: Challenge your teen to identify and eliminate unnecessary subscriptions like unused music streaming services or online games. Track the amount saved each month and add it to their savings. This teaches them about mindful spending and responsible budgeting.

• The “Investment Challenge” (with adult supervision): If your teen is older and shows an interest in investing, consider opening a custodial investment account with them. Start with small, supervised investments and teach them about researching companies, diversification, and the importance of long-term saving.

Tips for Success:

• Set Achievable Goals: Start with small, achievable goals for younger children and gradually increase the difficulty as they get older.
• Make it Visual: Use charts, jars, or apps to track progress. Seeing their savings grow will keep them motivated.
• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge their progress and celebrate milestones along the way. This reinforces positive saving habits.
• Make it a Family Activity: Involve the whole family in saving challenges. This creates a supportive environment and fosters healthy financial discussions.

By incorporating these fun and interactive savings challenges, you can transform saving from a chore into an exciting adventure. Your kids and teens will learn valuable financial lessons that will benefit them for years to come.