Help & Resources for Kids

Money can be fun, whether you are earning it, spending it, or learning more about how it works and how to handle it wisely.  These websites have been designed for young people.  They contain games, puzzles, cartoons, information and interactive features – and they won’t cost you a dime.  There is a wide variety of sites for different age groups, so surf around and find a page that suits you.

Getting Started

Kids.gov is the official kids’ portal for the United States government.  You can get an overview of the huge number of webpages available, and link directly to the subjects and activities that interest you most.  Be sure to visit the “Money” section under “Grades K-5” or “Grades 6-8.”  (Although this site does not have a section dedicated to older kids, many of the links for “Careers” and “Money” listed under “Grades 6-8” are actually appropriate for high school students.)

Where Does Money Come From?

You can think of money as “History In your Pocket” (H.I.P.).  The U.S. Mint’s “H.I.P. Pocket Change” site has lots of games, cartoons and fun facts for younger kids.  You can learn why our money looks the way it does, or create your own designs.

Our bills and coins are manufactured by the federal government, but in a practical sense, the money we use every day comes from working.  Great Minds Think: A Kid’s Guide to Money offers an enjoyable introduction to earning, saving and spending money, with an emphasis on planning so you can make smart choices.  The website also includes a number of online activities for young people.

Older students may want to know more about the federal government’s role in our financial lives.  Learn about the U.S. Federal Reserve system by playing the games at the Fed 101 site, and check out the resources for research available from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. 

For a quick overview of where the money to run New York State’s government comes from and how it is spent, check out The Citizens’ Guide to New York State Finances.

Shop Smart

Becoming a well-informed consumer will help you save money and get better value on your purchases.  The Federal Trade Commission has created a virtual mall full of cartoon stores and characters, games and quizzes, where you can learn about advertising, competition, supply and demand, identity theft and many other consumer issues while you shop, chat and play.  The mall is fun for all ages, and especially geared for students in middle school.

To learn more about identity theft, watch the identity theft quiz show, “Are You Consumer Savvy?” on the New York State Consumer Protection Board’s website.

Saving and Investing

Test yourself on your knowledge of money with the interactive quiz on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

High school students may benefit from the Money Maps booklet for young adults provided by the New York State Consumer Protection Board.  The booklet offers a practical guide to developing your personal budget, to help you keep spending within your means and save for the future.

Younger users will enjoy the videos and activities featuring Peggy the Piggy Bank and Ben Franklin, created by the New York State Consumer Protection Board through the Banking on our Children initiative designed to help kids learn about financial responsibility.  

Beginning readers are introduced to the basic principles of saving – and to Social Security – through proverbs and pictures on the kids page of the U.S. Social Security Administration website.

Financial Football

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli recently announced an initiative in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), the NFL Players Association and Visa to help young people build their financial knowledge. Although the program is especially intended for high school students, younger people may also enjoy this exciting game. Learn more about the initiative and see how well you can play Financial Football! You may request a free CD copy of Financial Football by visiting the Contact Us page of Your Money New York and providing your address either through email or by calling using the phone numbers provided.

Financial Soccer

Comptroller DiNapoli joined in the excitement of the 2010 FIFA World Cup today by launching Financial Soccer, an educational video game developed in partnership with Visa Inc. and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to help educate young people about personal finance.

Financial Soccer combines the world's most popular sport with a high-quality financial literacy curriculum. It challenges players to answer fast-paced, multiple-choice money management questions correctly to advance down the field for a chance to score a goal. This free game features three difficulty levels – geared to children, teens and adults – and has companion lesson modules for classroom use. Players learn key concepts about saving, responsible spending, budgeting, and the wise use of credit. Learn more about the initiative and see how well you can play Financial Soccer!

Talk Money

You can expand your knowledge of money matters by talking with older relatives.  For instance, you might ask your parents if you can watch while they shop or bank online, and find out how they approach decisions involving money.  Maybe a big sister or big brother can help you look up a topic that interests you, or a grandparent might play one of the games on this page with you.  Sharing information is fun and lets you benefit from your older relatives’ experience with money.

 

Next: Maintaining Financial Stability