Fun and Easy Ways to Teach Your Preschooler the Value of Money

Teaching preschoolers about money can be fun and simple! Use everyday moments to build their confidence and early financial skills.

Teaching money values to a preschooler might sound like a big task, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, you can turn everyday moments into fun, age-appropriate lessons that help your child understand the basics of spending, saving, and sharing. It’s not about lectures or worksheets. It’s about play, routine, and real-life examples they can relate to.

Teaching Preschoolers About Money: Fun & Easy Lessons

Teaching preschoolers about money doesn’t need to feel overwhelming.
You can turn daily moments into playful, age-appropriate lessons that build financial confidence. From pretend play to real-life conversations, simple activities help your child understand saving, spending, and sharing.

Here are some playful and practical ways to teach your little one about money, no stress required.

Set Up a Pretend Shop at Home

Children love role-playing, so why not turn your living room into a mini supermarket or café? Use play money, price tags, and even empty food boxes to build your shop. Let your child “buy” items, count coins, and practice being the shopkeeper too.

Mom tip: Sneak in a “budget” by giving them a set number of coins and asking what they can afford to buy. It’s hands-on maths and decision-making in one!

Use Clear Jars for Save, Spend, and Share

Grab three jars or containers and label them “Save,” “Spend,” and “Share.” Any time your child gets pocket money, birthday money, or even coins for helping out, encourage them to divide it up:

Watching the jars fill up gives a visual lesson in money management—and builds patience, too.

Let Them Pay at the Shop

Take advantage of quick errands by giving your preschooler a coin or two and letting them pay for simple items at the checkout. It builds confidence and helps them grasp that money doesn’t magically appear—we choose how to use it.

Bonus: They’ll also learn about counting, recognizing coins, and social interaction.

Play Money Games Together

Classic games like Monopoly Junior or Shopping List can be wonderful ways to reinforce money concepts. Even homemade board games or DIY flashcards with coins and prices work great.

Games teach important early lessons:

And best of all, you’re bonding while learning.

Talk About Money in Real Life

You don’t need to turn every moment into a lesson, but talking openly about money in your daily life helps demystify it. When you’re at the supermarket, explain why you’re choosing one brand over another. At home, discuss concepts like saving up for a holiday or turning off the lights to save money.

The goal isn’t to make money stressful. It’s to make it understandable.

Read Books About Money Together

There are loads of great picture books that introduce the concept of money to young children in fun, accessible ways. Titles like “Bunny Money” by Rosemary Wells or “A Dollar for Penny” by Dr. Julie Glass are perfect for preschoolers. Reading about money in story form helps ideas stick, without feeling like a lesson.

Use Resources Designed for Young Learners

If you’re wondering how to introduce financial concepts without overloading your little one, this expert-created guide on financial literacy for kids is packed with easy-to-follow advice, activities, and age-appropriate tools. It’s written for parents who want to build confidence, not confusion, around money in the early years.

Fun Ways to Teach Preschoolers About Money

Teaching your preschooler about money doesn’t mean sitting them down for a formal lesson—it’s about weaving simple concepts into the everyday magic of motherhood. From playtime to storytime, there are endless ways to raise a child who values what they have and makes thoughtful choices.

With a bit of creativity and consistency, you’ll be giving your little one one of life’s most empowering gifts: the confidence to understand and manage money, right from the start.