Summer Fun That Makes Cents—Activities for Kids That Teach Financial Smarts
Teaching kids about money doesn't have to be boring! From earning their first dollars to making spending decisions, summer is the perfect time to build financial confidence. What money lessons are you sharing with your kids this summer?
Summer is here! Even though school’s out, don’t miss the great opportunities for kids to explore, play and learn—and while you’re at it, why not help build their financial literacy along the way? If you're looking for ways to keep your children entertained without breaking the bank, we’ve got a fun list of activities.
At Mountain America Credit Union, we believe that smart money habits start young. Here are some creative and cost-effective ways to keep your kids engaged this summer, while also helping them to understand the value of a dollar.
1. Small jobs = big money lessons
Encourage your kids to earn their own spending money through age-appropriate jobs like:
- Running a lemonade or baked goods stand
- Walking neighborhood dogs
- Babysitting for family friends
- Pulling weeds in neighborhood yards and gardens
These activities teach children the basic concept of exchanging time and effort for money. Help them set savings goals—like saving for a special outing or to buy a treat or new toy—and then track their progress together.
Financial activity: Open a youth savings account and show them how to deposit their earnings. This is a great way to introduce banking basics and the power of saving!
2. Budget-friendly backyard adventures
Turn your backyard into a summer playground with:
- Nature scavenger hunts
- Outdoor movie nights
- DIY projects and crafts
These low-cost activities are perfect for all ages and can be tailored to your child’s interests.
Financial activity: Create a summer supplies budget with your child. Compare prices (store vs. store or name-brand vs. generic), and let your kids help make purchasing decisions for a hands-on way to teach budgeting and value comparison.
3. Creative financial skills in the kitchen
Get your kids involved in the kitchen with:
- Cooking/baking contests
- Recipe development (help them write their own recipe)
- DIY party decorations
These activities are not only fun but also educational. Kids can learn about measuring ingredients, calculating costs and even pricing their goods if they decide to sell them.
Financial activity: Have your kids plan a business budget for their lemonade or bakery stand, including cost of supplies, pricing strategy and profit goals. This is a mini lesson in financial planning and entrepreneurship!
4. Community exploration
Explore your local community with:
- Library and free museum days
- Local festivals and events
- Field trips to nearby cities (study the history of the area)
These outings are often free or low cost and can spark curiosity. Encourage your kids to look up costs, plan the transportation route and track their spending throughout the day. This would also be a great way to get your kids to start journaling—ask them to write down what they saw, how they felt, what they thought was a good value and what they might do differently next time.
Financial activity: Give your child a small outing allowance (or have them save up for their outing spending!), and let them decide how to spend it. Whether on snacks, souvenirs or saving it for the next trip, making intentional choices about how to spend their money is a great way for kids to practice decision-making when it comes to money and budgeting.
Summer doesn’t have to be expensive to be fun and educational. With a little creativity and a focus on financial education, you can turn everyday moments into lifelong lessons. Whether it’s earning, saving, budgeting or responsible spending habits, these experiences can help build a strong foundation for your child’s financial future.
Want more tips on raising financially savvy kids? Visit macu.com or stop by a local branch—we’re here to help your family grow, save and thrive.
