5 Creative ways to get your kids into saving

When the kids break up for the Easter holidays, it can be difficult keeping them entertained - especially if their minds are firmly set on gorging on chocolate and opening Easter presents. So if you’re looking for ways to keep them occupied, why not have some creative fun whilst also helping to set them up for a lifetime of saving.

Even saving a little makes a big difference, so we’ve put together five of our favourite ways to get the little ones into the habit of keeping hold of their cash.

1. Make snazzy savings pots

Savings pots are a fab way of helping kids learn about money, especially when the latest YouTube star’s new line of must-have accessories is just out of their financial reach.

And if it’s their money they can see growing, they’ll be less likely to waste it on things they might no longer want in a week’s time.

Get crafty and start work on two snazzy saving pots.

One which will help them save money they can access all the time, for sweets maybe? And one that’s locked away and will teach your tribe how to build a fund for something bigger they want.

Depending on how handy you are at DIY, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to make something yourself, or head to the shops and get something that’s ready-to-go. Either way is fine, just make sure you have a way of locking one of the pots, removing the temptation for your child to spend all of their hard-earned savings.

This works for all ages, but is a great choice for younger children. Why not set aside some time each week to keep track of how much money is in each pot - they’ll love counting coins and keeping track of their total.

2. Jobs, jobs and more jobs!

Before your child can learn how to save money, they need to have some of their own to start off with.

Perhaps you already give them pocket money, but by splitting it into payment in exchange for jobs around the house, you’re adding a value to each task – knowing how hard they’ve worked to earn their cash may help stop them spending it as soon as they get it.

It’ll also make them more willing to tidy their room, or even clean the car!

Create a list of jobs with check boxes, along with the amount of cash they’ll get for completing each one (properly!). Once your child has completed a task, let them tick it off and then hand over their pocket money a bit at a time. With any luck, they’ll be arguing over who’s doing the dishes tonight.

Give them the opportunity to earn more with more jobs, and you’ll have a great way of helping them understand why it’s important to put money aside - keeping the house clean and tidy at the same time!

3. Bury your pennies

Spring is the perfect time to get kids into gardening; they get super excited knowing that something they’ve planted will grow to be big and strong, making it a great time to teach them about growing their savings.

If you’re looking for a way to teach the kids that money doesn’t grow on trees and making their savings grow doesn’t happen without effort, then planting a penny capsule is a great, budget friendly option.

To get started, the next time you treat them to an ice cream or a drink, round up the cost to the nearest pound and pass the difference onto them so they can bury their bounty in the garden (with your help if needs be).

As well as locking away their pennies over the Easter break, they’ll love getting green-fingered and messing around in the dirt each time they have some pennies to bury.

Do this throughout the Easter holiday and explain that their pennies will grow, just like in a savings account. Perhaps they’ll have enough to buy the ice creams before they’re back at school.

Just remember not to leave your money buried underground – the Romans lost a lot of their coins that way!

4. Start a pocket money chart

Like adults, kids need a reason to save, and so a pocket money chart is the perfect way to set some pocket money goals and propel your child’s interest in saving. The best part is, it works for all ages!

Help your child spend half an hour browsing in the catalogue or online, picking out something they’d love to add to their toy box (or even their online gaming account). Then, on a piece of paper help your child sketch out a monthly grid, with a space for each week’s pocket money. Get creative with the final column by asking them to draw the item they’re saving for.

To help create your grid, try flipping over some wrapping paper and hey presto, ready-made gridlines!

Your child will be super-excited about their expanding pocket money fund, and it’s the perfect way to remind them that they’re saving for something special next time you visit the shops - keeping them motivated and with a target in mind.

If you’ve more than one child to entertain, why not see who can save the most over the Easter break?

5. Create a custom piggy-bank

Whether your child is a bookworm, a telly-addict or a fan of the latest tech, they’re sure to be inspired by the idea of crafting their very own custom piggy bank.

There are loads of things around the house you can use to help make a custom piggy bank. Pulling, pinning or sticking together a custom design is the perfect way to save them from a few hours of boredom, and also a great way to help them save some cash.

The best part is, it can all be done for free!

If you’re feeling brave, grab the keys to the shed and help your kids rummage for the perfect cardboard box, plastic container or even an old plant pot they can put their own creative stamp on. All you need is a creative coin-slot and a way of retrieving their hard-earned deposits.