20 Fun Savings Challenges to Teach Kids about Money

Teaching kids how to save money doesn’t have to be boring—it can actually be a lot of fun! With the right challenges, kids can learn smart money habits while playing games, setting goals, and getting creative.

These fun savings challenges are designed to help kids understand the value of money, practice patience, and get excited about reaching small goals.

Whether they’re saving pennies in a jar or racing to reach a goal, each activity helps build real-life money skills in a hands-on way. Let’s dive into some simple, playful ways to make saving money a fun adventure for kids of all ages!

Save the Change Challenge

This challenge helps kids learn that even small amounts of money add up. Anytime they get change from a purchase, they drop it into a jar. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a few pennies or a handful of coins.

Over time, those little bits of money start to grow. This is a good way for kids to see that saving doesn’t have to be hard or take a lot of effort. It also teaches kids to pay attention to spending and saving.

To learn more: 10 Mini Savings Challenges to Explore & Save More Money

$1 a Day Jar Challenge

Kids put one dollar into a jar every day for a set number of days. It might not seem like much at first, but it builds up fast. After a month, they’ll have $30, and that’s a big deal for a kid – enough to go buy the toy they want!

This teaches them how saving small amounts over time can lead to something bigger. It also gets them into a habit of setting money aside each day. Kids learn patience, goal setting, and how to stick with a plan.

To learn more: The Penny Challenge Will Easily Save More Than $650

Coin Collecting Race

Kids race to collect and save coins from around the house, car, or couch cushions. It turns saving money into a game. Whoever saves the most by the end of the week wins.

This helps kids learn that money can be found in unexpected places and should be saved, not wasted. It also builds excitement about saving instead of spending. Check for rare coins and see if they may be worth hundreds of dollars.

To learn more: 20 Insanely Easy Hacks to Save Money Every Day

Weekly Envelope Challenge

Each week, kids put a set amount of money into a labeled envelope. The amount can go up each week or stay the same. By the end of the month, they’ll have a small stash saved up.

This helps kids understand how to break a savings goal into smaller steps. It’s a good way to show them how to manage money one week at a time.

To learn more: 50 Envelope Challenge to Save $1275 and Follow Through!

Matching Dollars Game

When kids save a certain amount, a parent or adult matches it. If they save $5, they get another $5 added. This encourages them to save more so they can earn more – a similar concept to an employer’s 401k matching policy.

Kids learn the value of rewards for saving money. This challenge helps build motivation while also showing how saving really pays off.

To learn more: 20 Brilliant Ways to Save $500 Fast

Color-in Savings Chart

Kids fill in a chart or picture every time they save money. Each color block shows how much closer they are to their goal. It’s a visual way for them to track progress.

This challenge helps kids understand that saving takes time, but feels good when they can see how far they’ve come. It turns money saving into something to see visually and be proud of. Perfect for teaching goal setting and sticking with it.

To learn more: Top 20 Epic Money Saving Challenges Unveiled to Save Money

52-Week Savings Challenge

Kids save money once a week for 52 weeks. They can start with small amounts and grow over time. By the end of the challenge, they’ll have built a strong habit and a nice savings pile. It teaches kids about long-term goals and staying on track.

This challenge shows that saving money is about being steady and consistent. It helps kids learn the value of being patient with their money.

To learn more: Your 52 Week Money Saving Challenge + Free Printable

Save Half of Birthday Money

When kids get money for birthdays, they save half and can spend the rest. This teaches balance between saving and spending. They learn how to enjoy money without using it all at once. Thus, helping kids understand that some money should always be set aside for later.

It’s a good habit that works even when they start earning their own money. This is a simple way to teach kids how to save without feeling like they’re missing out.

To learn more: Save Age Challenge – Small Steps to Save Money

No-Spend Week Challenge

Kids go a whole week without spending any of their money or asking mom/dad to buy them something. It helps them think twice before buying things. They start to notice what they really want versus what they can wait for.

This challenge teaches self-control, which is important for saving money. It also shows kids that holding on to money can feel just as good as spending it. Over time, they learn that saving leads to better choices.

To learn more: No Spend Challenge: The #1 Fastest Way To Save Money

Puzzle Piece Savings

Kids earn a puzzle piece every time they save a set amount. When they complete the puzzle, they’ve reached their savings goal.

This makes saving money feel like solving a fun game. It also keeps them motivated to keep going. This challenge helps kids connect effort with reward.

To learn more: 24 Brilliant Cash Envelope Savings Challenge for Quick Results

Chore Earnings Bank

Kids earn money from chores and save part of it in a bank or jar. They keep track of what they earn and what they save. This helps kids understand that money comes from work.

Also, they learn that saving money is just as important as earning it. It builds real-life skills that they’ll use as they get older. It’s a great way to teach money saving habits at home.

To learn more: 10 Crazy Simple Smart Saving Strategies You Need to Know

Save for a Goal Race

Kids pick something they want and race to save up for it. Each week, they track how close they are to the goal. It keeps them focused and gives them a reason to save.

This challenge teaches that goals take time and effort. It also shows the reward of saving instead of spending right away.

To learn more: The Best Envelope Challenge for You to Save Money

Sticker Chart Savings

Kids earn a sticker for every dollar saved. After a certain number of stickers, they get a prize or reward. It makes saving feel exciting and fun.

They learn that saving money brings good results. This also teaches them how to keep track of what they’re saving, which helps build strong money habits early on.

To learn more: Saving Money Chart: The Secret To Increasing Net Worth

Save Every $5 Bill Challenge

Every time kids get a $5 bill, they put it aside. It doesn’t take long before those bills turn into a big pile. This challenge shows how small bills add up fast.

Kids start to see money differently and look forward to saving it. It’s an easy and fun way to build a money saving habit. It also teaches kids to be mindful of what they have.

To learn more: 15 Mini Savings Challenge Printables To Save More Money

Family Savings Competition

Each family member tries to save the most money by a certain date. Kids get involved by saving coins or dollars they earn. It becomes a fun way to talk about money as a family.

This challenge teaches that saving can be both personal and shared. Kids see saving money as something everyone does. It helps build strong habits in a group setting.

To learn more: 15 Super Fun Ideas to Set a Spending Limit and turn it into a Fun Challenge

Piggy Bank Decorating and Filling

Kids decorate their own piggy bank and then try to fill it. It makes saving feel more personal and fun. They take pride in both the design and the money they save.

This challenge helps them feel connected to the habit of saving. It also shows them that saving money is something they control. That’s a good lesson for kids of any age.

To learn more: Breaking Down the Purpose of a Rainy Day Fund

Alphabet Savings

Kids save based on letters of the alphabet. For example, “A” is for apple, so they save money for a snack instead of buying one. Each letter gives them a small challenge.

This helps them think creatively about saving. It also keeps saving fun and new each time. It’s a smart way to build money saving methods that feel like a game.

To learn more: How to Stay Motivated During a Savings Challenge

Roll a Dice Savings Game

Kids roll a dice, and the number they land on is how much they save. If they roll a 4, they save $4. It adds surprise and fun to saving money.

This game teaches that saving can be different every time, but still helpful. It also helps with number skills and planning. Over time, they build a good habit from a fun game.

To learn more: 20 Brilliant Money Saving Challenges for Couples

Storybook Savings

Kids save a little money each time they finish a book chapter. It connects reading and saving in a simple way. They feel proud of both learning and saving.

This challenge shows that good habits can go together, and personal finance education is important. It’s great for building money skills while also encouraging reading.

To learn more: My Top 5 Personal Finance Books I Recommend to Newbies

Hidden Treasure Hunt

Kids look around the house for loose change and save it. Coins from under the couch or behind the fridge all count. It turns saving into a kind of game without needing to spend anything.

This teaches kids to look for value in what’s already around them. They learn that money can be found and saved instead of lost. It’s a good way to start building a savings mindset early on.

To learn more: 62 Fun Things to do with Friends: Activities for Friends To Do

It is Never to Young to Start to Learn to Save Money

Saving money is a skill kids can use for the rest of their lives. These fun challenges help them learn how to make smart choices, set goals, and feel proud of what they save. When saving feels simple and fun, it’s easier for kids to stick with it.

The earlier kids start, the stronger their habits will grow. It’s never too young to start learning how to save money in a way that makes sense.

For more tips and tools like this, follow Money Bliss — because learning how to save should start young and feel doable.

To learn more: Financial Advice for Young Adults: 10 Easy to Follow Money Management Tips

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