Many libraries and youth programs across the United States are using books from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s “Money as You Grow” Bookshelf for their children’s reading programs. Free resources to support your local program can be found on the CFPB’s website.

UW-Madison Division of Extension also has materials around children and money created especially for early care providers. If you are looking for additional resources for working with young children in your community, contact your local UW-Madison Division of Extension educator for more information.

Tools and Resources to Educate Children and Teens about Money

Knowing how to effectively spend and save money and manage credit can help children and youth become successful adults. The links listed below are proven financial education tools. View and print the Tools and Resources to Educate Children and Teens about Money PDF.

Saving for Post-Secondary Education

Saving for Post-Secondary Education is a campaign led by UW-Madison Division of Extension county educators to promote the benefits of saving for college, answer common questions about saving for higher education, and provide information about how you can get started. For parents and grades 7-12.

Money Matters

UW-Madison Division of Extension’s popular online self-study course for adults also works well for providing high school students with reliable information on credit reports, spending plans, and insurance. For grades 9-12.

The CFPB’s guide to financial literacy activities

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has put together a collection of activities that can help educators teach and nurture the building blocks of financial capability. Each activity comes with a teacher guide and supporting student material. For grades K4-12.

Next Gen Personal Finance

Teachers and community practitioners can access lessons for elementary, middle, and high school on checking, saving, types of credit, managing credit, paying for college, budgeting, investing, financial pitfalls, careers, taxes, and insurance. For grades K4-12.

NEFE High School Financial Planning Program

The National Endowment for Financial Education has created this comprehensive personal finance curriculum for use by high school teachers. The six modules cover the topics of money management, borrowing, earning power, investing, financial services, and insurance. For grades 9-12.

FDIC’s Money Smart for Young People

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has created versions of its popular Money Smart curriculum for grades pre-K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. This curriculum is also available in Spanish.

The National Credit Union Administration

This government website has links to lesson plans, activities, and apps for a range of ages from elementary to high school students. Also provides worksheets and calculators for money management for adults.

Jump$tart Clearinghouse

The Jump$tart Coalition reviews all financial literacy resources before they are posted on this site in order to make sure that they meet their seven criteria for listing, including being accurate, up-to-date, unbiased, respectful, and non-discriminatory. For grades K4-12.

Night of the Living Debt

Idaho Extension and New Mexico State University created this interactive game that uses zombies to teach teens about debt, credit scores, and savings. The game can be downloaded for free and is available for iOS devices. Supporting materials include an instructor’s guide and evaluation. For grades 8-12.