Trying to find the best book to teach children about money is tricky. We believe it is important to start your child’s financial education early, whether it is as simple as introducing them to cash and explaining the value of money. Here are some of our top finds.
Best Books for Ages 3-7
A Moneybunny Book Series
Earn it!, Save It!, Spend It!, Give It! are the four books in this series from Cinders McLeod. They provide a light-hearted introduction to the concept of money for kids aged 3-6 through the lens of a bunny collecting carrots.
The four books cover earning, saving, spending and donating money, and can each be bought for around £7 at retailers such as Waterstones and Amazon.
The Children’s Book of Money Sense
This book by Sophie Giles is targeted at children aged 4-6. It includes descriptions and illustrations of various scenarios to teach children about how to be sensible with their money. It also includes gold stars and a wipe-clean reward chart to record your child’s successes.
The book can be ordered from Waterstones for just £6.
Best Books for Ages 7-13
Get To Know: Money: A Fun, Visual Guide to How Money Works and How to Look After It
Perfect for children aged 7-10, this book by Kalpana Fitzpatrick will help children to learn how money works and includes activities and quizzes to make the learning fun. It is filled with personal financial tips and covers topics such as:
– How money has changed over history
– How to budget and save money
– How to keep your money safe
– Bigger topics such as what banks do with your money and how taxes are spent.
The book can be found at most major retailers such as Amazon, Waterstones and WHSmith for around £12.
Money Skills for Kids: A Beginner’s Guide to Earning, Saving, and Spending Wisely. Everything Tweens Should Know About Personal Finance
Aimed at children from 8 to 13, Ferne Bowe’s book is filled with advice, real-life examples and interactive activities. It covers a range of financial topics including:
– How to earn money and spend it wisely.
– How to transform a money-making idea into reality.
– How to effectively save your money.
– How to choose and open a savings account.
– Learning to set and achieve financial goals.
The book can be found on Amazon for just £10.
Best Books for Ages 14+
Your Money Matters
Written by the financial education charity Young Money, with guidance from Martin Lewis, Your Money Matters is a textbook designed to educate students aged 14-16 on a range of financial matters. The book is split into sections including:
– Savings – How to save money and earn interest.
– Making the most of your money – budgeting, ways to pay and how to get good value for money.
– Borrowing – debt, APR and how to manage your borrowing.
– After school, the world of work – student finance, apprenticeships, earnings, tax, pensions and benefits.
– Security and fraud – identity theft, online fraud and money mules.
The textbook is completely free. Hundreds of thousands of copies have been sent to schools across the UK, otherwise it can be downloaded from the Young Enterprise website.
What They Don’t Teach You About Money
From author Claer Barrett, this book is written so that it is easily understandable by teenagers and adults, making it a good read for anyone over 14. It aims to debunk myths and help you make good habits, covering topics such as:
– How we are tricked into spending more money
– Simple ways to change your spending habits.
– How to secure a pay rise.
– Setting yourself up for financial independence.
The book is available on Amazon or Waterstones for around £12.
Other ways to teach your children about money
One of the best ways to teach your child about money is through hands-on experience. Giving them a small amount of pocket money can help them figure out spending and saving themselves. A nimbl card is a great way for your child to begin developing good money habits. With complete control from your phone, you can set up pocket money and add parental controls to help your child learn to save and spend responsibly.
Get started today, sign up and begin teaching your children about money.