As the school year wraps up, it’s the perfect time to introduce your kids to real-world money lessons. Spring brings new opportunities for them to earn, save, and learn, and with just a little creativity, you can make these lessons fun and engaging.
Whether they’re eager to start their own money-making ventures or just curious about how money works, now’s the time to help them build financial confidence.
Why Teaching Kids About Money Matters
Kids who learn to manage money early are better prepared for life’s big decisions. Whether they’re saving for a new toy, thinking about how to spend a gift card, or eventually opening their own bank account, these skills make a huge difference.
What Kids Can Learn by Earning and Saving Their Own Money:
- The value of hard work and goal setting
- How to make thoughtful spending choices
- The benefits of budgeting, saving, and giving
- Confidence and independence from practical experience
8 Kid-Friendly Ways to Earn and Learn This Spring
Teaching kids about money doesn’t have to be a chore. You can turn everyday activities into fun, hands-on lessons about earning, saving, and budgeting. The best part? You don’t need a textbook. Instead, help your child start building valuable money skills by encouraging them to earn their own cash.
Here are 8 kid-friendly ways for your child to make money this spring—each one an opportunity to learn everyday financial lessons!
1. Get Creative with Outdoor Jobs
Why not turn outdoor tasks into a Superstar Showdown? Older kids can help neighbors with tasks like mowing lawns or washing cars, while younger ones can water plants or rake leaves. It’s a easy way for them to get outside, earn money, and learn that hard work pays off. Encourage your child to track their earnings in a simple notebook or spreadsheet helps them start thinking about budgeting.
2. Start a Small Craft or DIY Business
If your child enjoys being creative, turn that hobby into a money-making opportunity. They can sell handmade bracelets, greeting cards, or cookies. Help them plan for supplies, price their products fairly, and track their earnings. This straightforward approach teaches them about financial planning, pricing, and making a profit. Have a budding entrepreneur? Junior Achievement USA has some great resources.
3. Set Up a Lemonade or Snack Stand
This classic idea helps kids learn customer service, pricing, and how to make change. To help their stand really stand out, go beyond lemonade — try fresh fruit, homemade treats, or a seasonal twist. And don’t forget to promote it! As they explore the financial side of a small business, it’s also a great time to talk about gratitude and giving back – because gratitude opens the door to purpose and new opportunities.
4. Sell Unused Toys, Books, and Clothes
Decluttering isn’t just Marie Kondo’s thing — it’s a smart way for kids to learn what matters. It helps them understand needs vs. wants and make space for something new. Work with your child to sell unused items at a garage sale on Facebook Marketplace (with your help), or at a swap. Then, introduce the “save, spend, give” method to split their earnings and build smart money habits.
5. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
For animal-loving kids, pet sitting and dog walking are playful ways to bond with pets and kick off a mini business. Start with trusted neighbors or family friends to build confidence. Help your child create a simple flyer using a free design tool like Canva, print a few copies, and encourage them to track appointments and earnings. Along the way, they’ll learn time management, responsibility, and how word-of-mouth can lead to more referrals right in your neighborhood.
6. Offer Tech Help or Tutoring
Lucky you if your child is tech-savvy! They can quickly help friends and family set up phones, tablets, or apps. For kids who’ve enjoyed being a ‘big buddy’ at school, tutoring younger kids in reading, math, or even sports might be a perfect fit. These tasks build confidence as they share what they know—and could even turn into long-term opportunities.
7. Recycle for Cash
Recycling is a simple way to teach kids about being eco-friendly while also saving money. They can collect cans, bottles, old electronics, and more to take to a local recycling center and even earn some extra cash. It helps kids go green and get a taste of what it’s like to make their own money.
Need a place to start? Find your nearest recycling center in Massachusetts.
Open a Youth Savings Account
Once your child starts earning, it’s the perfect time to visit your local credit union and open a youth savings account. It’s a great way for them to get familiar with banking—and see how interest helps money grow.
Community Credit Union’s youth accounts are easy to manage and designed with families in mind to build smart saving habits.
And instead of explaining interest yourself, let our friendly bankers handle it — they know compounding like the back of their hand. After all, they live the “money doubles every seven years” rule every day and can break it down in a way kids will actually understand.
Ready to Teach Your Kids How to Save and Earn?
Teaching kids about money doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a little time and effort, you can help your child develop money skills that will last a lifetime.
At Community Credit Union, we help families with everything from savings accounts and financial tips to scholarship programs—making it easy for your child to understand money, how it works, and how it grows.
Make Money Management Simple for Your Family
Help your kids build strong money skills starting at any age. Visit one of our branches in Lynn, Peabody, or Somerville or give us a call at 800-862-7009. If you’re short on time, you can email us, too.
At Community Credit Union, we help your family save smarter—together. Become a member today and start building the bright financial future your family deserves.