Part of ensuring your child’s financial future is to being their education on money matters early. But where to begin? How do you find financial information that will be of interest to kids? Look no further than your keyboard!
It’s an online world, and kids, particularly, are “plugged in.” So make online learning part of your financial education strategy. Here are some web sites to get you started:
Moneyopolis, a web site offered by Ernst & Young, is designed to teach money and math skills to kids. Visitors will travel through a fictional town where they will make stops at home (to learn about living expenses), work (to learn about careers and earning income), the bank (where they will save and invest), the store (where they will shop and spend), city hall (where they’ll pay income taxes), the community center (where they will volunteer their time), and school (to plan future education).
Change Maker does just what it says…teaches kids to make change. There are four levels to play at, depending on the age and learning level of your child: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Super Brain.
Two government sites are among the most well done:
Money Central Station at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has two sections: one for ages 5-8 and one for ages 9-13. Each section includes games and fun facts.
H.I.P. Pocket Change can be found at the US Mint’s site. H.I.P. stands for History In (your) Pocket and it’s designed to interest kids in coins, the US Mint, and US History. It offers games, cartoons, and some neat concepts like a time machine and Camp Coin for its visitors.