No matter how old your children are, you can start teaching them about money management and how they can properly spend, save, and invest their money in the future. In this article, we’re going to be talking about 10 of the best money books for you to buy for your kids to help them start learning about money.
The books on this list are for a variety of age groups, so your child can begin talking with you about good money practices regardless of where they are at in their development. So, if you are ready to raise financially literate children, keep reading!
Why Is It Important for Kids to Learn About Money?
Kids need to learn about money for the same reasons adults need to learn about money. While kids might not have access to the same amounts of money adults do, many kids still work as they become teenagers or get an allowance from their parents.
Teaching your kids about money at an early age will help them become better with their money as adults. If you give them the early skills to succeed financially, they will likely have fewer financial struggles and will feel more confident about their finances.
Many people think kids just won’t understand finances. And to an extent, that’s partially true. But no matter how small they are, they can begin to understand that the things they enjoy have a price tag. It’s never too early to start teaching your kids about the value of a dollar!
1. Kyng & Kyren’s Generational Wealth Building Activity Book by Kyren Gibson
Kyren Gibson knew that when he had his son Kyng, it would change his life completely. He wanted to provide his son with all the financial literacy tools he needed to succeed, so he wrote this activity book about building generational wealth and a legacy. This book is excellent for younger children as it is fun, engaging, and entertaining, with loads of activities.
2. Investing for Kids: How to Save, Invest and Grow Money by Dylin Redling and Allison Tom
Investing is one of the best ways to be money-savvy, and one of the most essential parts about investing is that the earlier you do it, the more money you’ll have. For this reason, it’s imperative to educate children about investing so they can start as early as possible. This book is for kids aged 8-12 and provides them with a basic understanding of investments and savings plans.
3. How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000: Earn! Save! Invest! by James McKenna, Jeannine Glista
For older kids aged 10 through 12, this book about saving, earning, and investing your money helps them set financial goals and even learn how to start a business. Another emphasis within this book is teaching kids how to think like a millionaire (not spend like one)! The graphics and layout of this book are incredibly fun and engaging. And there are several stories of millionaires that will inspire kids.
4. Finance 101 for Kids: Money Lessons Children Cannot Afford to Miss by Walter Andal
When Walter Andal wrote this book, he did so out of frustration that there needed to be more kid-friendly resources for his children to learn about finance. This book teaches kids about the most solid foundations of finance, providing them with an understanding of how our money system actually works and how they should handle money themselves. Additionally, the book teaches kids the importance of giving back to their community once they do have money.
5. Kid’s Activity Book on Money and Finance: Teach Children About Saving, Borrowing, and Planning for the Future—40+ Quizzes, Puzzles, and Activities by Allan Kunigis
Activity books are especially great for younger kids and kids who might not have the motivation to read just yet. Activity books like these are filled with puzzles, quizzes, and other interactive pages. While it may not be as in-depth as some other books surrounding finance, Kid’s Activity Book on Money and Finance does provide kids with a foundational understanding of money. And it encourages them to explore questions about money. Through things like crossword puzzles and word searches, kids can gain a solid understanding of financial literacy.
6. Investing for Teens: How To Invest and Grow Your Money! By Alex Higgs
This book is geared toward older kids, primarily ages 13 to 18 years old. These years are when kids really start to want to understand money, and they may even have jobs of their own at this point. That being said, understanding investing and how they can grow their money at an early age can be vital for them as they move into college or the workforce. This step-by-step guide has multiple chapters that help them learn how to grow and manage their money.
7. Money Ninja: A Children’s Book About Saving, Investing, and Donating (Ninja Life Hacks) by Mary Nhin
Money Ninja is a fun book that’s part of a larger book series titled “Ninja Life Hacks,” which are aimed at kids ages of 3 to eleven. The adorable character teaches kids about different essential life skills alongside fun and colorful graphics and relatable characters. This book is excellent to read to your toddlers or older kids to help them get engaged with money and lay the foundational understanding for financial literacy in the future.
8. A Smart Girl’s Guide: Money (Revised): How to Make It, Save It, and Spend It (Smart Girl’s Guides) by Nancy Holyoke and Brigette Barrager
This book is written from the perspective of a young girl and is perfect to read to or give to your daughters to help them start feeling empowered surrounding money. The authors teach girls about financial literacy and money management in this book, which is filled with topics that prompt them to stay thinking and ask questions. This book is perfect for middle school girls as it’s full of information as well as activities like quizzes.
9. Heads Up Money by Marcus Weeks
This book is also geared toward older kids, specifically those in grades five through twelve. This book covers more complex financial topics and helps children and teens navigate the more complicated questions about money, such as “What is inflation?” or “How do I save for retirement?” Supply and demand and market trends are also topics that are covered in this advanced book.
10. I Want More Pizza: Real World Money Skills For High School, College, And Beyond by Steve Burkholder
This book is short and to the point, so it’s great for teenagers who aren’t very interested in reading. Using a “pizza model,” the barriers to learning about financial literacy are broken down, allowing kids to manage their money effectively. This book is even great for college kids, as it teaches them how to save, spend, and set goals even into their adulthood.
Raise Financially Literate Kids
Helping kids learn about finances early in their lives will set them up for success down the line. By getting them interested in money early, you can help them create good habits and avoid looking at money in an unhealthy way. No matter what age your child is, there is truly no better time to start than now when considering teaching them about money management.