With Easter just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for parents to use the holiday break as an opportunity to introduce kids to the importance of saving and smart money habits. Beyond chocolate and egg hunts, Easter can be a meaningful moment to start teaching lifelong financial skills that will benefit children well into adulthood.
With this in mind, Graham Drummond, Head of Communications at Shepherds Friendly, shares practical tips for how parents can use the Easter holidays to teach children financial education. This is part of a wider study which found that parents who save just £10 a week for their child could build a Junior ISA worth over £12,000 by the time they turn 18.
You can view the full research here: https://www.shepherdsfriendly.co.uk/resources/pocket-money-saved/
1. Reward chores: “Little Easter-themed chores, like decorating eggs or tidying up after an Easter hunt, can show how money is earned through helping out, supporting children to see the value of money and encouraging them to save their pennies. You can even set Easter savings goals. For example, you can help plan how many chores it would take to buy a special Easter treat or a toy they’ve been wanting.”
2. Make saving visual: “Making visual aids like charts or a money jar will help children to see how much they have accumulated and how far they are from any saving goals. You and your child can get creative together by personalising the jar or chart with Easter-themed colors, stickers, and drawings to keep the topic fun and holiday related.”
3. Involve them in family budgeting: “As your child gets older, it can be a good idea to get them involved in understanding the budget of the household, for example the weekly shop, to help teach financial responsibility with real life examples. During the Easter Holidays, talk them through how you budget for an Easter dinner or gifts for family. By explaining the basics of everyday expenses and the concept of having a budget, your child can see how money works in the real world and how they can practise sensible spending behaviours.”
4. Take advantage of the Easter holidays to teach kids budgeting:“The Easter holidays are a great opportunity to teach kids about budgeting and saving in a fun, hands-on way. Whether they’re planning how much to spend on Easter eggs, choosing gifts without overspending, or setting aside pocket money for a special activity during the school break, everyday moments can become valuable financial lessons. If they receive Easter money from their family, guide them in dividing it into spending and saving to help them build essential money skills for the future.”
