National Teach Children to Save Day: Helping Kids Build Money Confidence Early

April 23 is National Teach Children to Save Day — an important reminder that saving isn’t just a money topic, it’s a life skill. When kids learn early how to set a goal, wait for something they want, and make choices with a plan, they’re building habits that can support them for decades.

The goal isn’t to turn kids into financial experts. It’s to help them feel comfortable talking about money — and to give them small wins that build confidence over time.

At Old National Bank, we believe financial education works best when it starts early and stays practical. That’s why we partner with families, schools, and community organizations, and why we’re able to host workshops throughout our entire footprint, led by hundreds of licensed instructors who can bring age-appropriate lessons directly to students and the adults who support them.

Why saving is a skill (not a lecture)

Kids learn money the same way they learn most things: by seeing it, practicing it, and having it reinforced consistently. Saving teaches patience, planning, and tradeoffs, the skills that show up later in bigger decisions like buying a car, paying for school, or managing a household budget.

When a child sees their savings grow — even a little — it creates a powerful connection: ‘My choices matter, and I can work toward something.’

Age-appropriate ways to teach saving

There’s no “right” age to start. The best approach is to keep it simple, make it visual, and connect saving to something the child cares about. Here are a few ideas by age range:

1. Ages 3–6: Use clear jars for “save” and “spend.” Let them watch coins add up and celebrate small milestones.
2. Ages 7–10: Set a short-term goal (a book, a game, an outing) and make a simple “progress tracker” to show how close they are.
3. Ages 11–14: Introduce budgeting basics: help them plan for a bigger goal and talk about tradeoffs (save now vs. spend now).
4. Ages 15–18: Connect saving to real-world decisions — first job paychecks, debit vs. credit, building a starter emergency fund, and spotting scams.

One of the most effective things adults can do is create a simple, repeatable system at home. It doesn’t need to be complicated, it just needs to be consistent.

A simple system: Spend, Save, Share

A simple “spend, save, share” approach can make saving feel concrete. When kids receive allowance, gift money, or earnings, you can help them decide (in advance) how much goes to each bucket. The purpose isn’t restriction, it’s teaching priorities and planning.

• Pick one savings goal and give it a name (and even a picture) so it feels real.
• Make progress visible (sticker chart, thermometer tracker, or a clear jar).
• Celebrate consistency more than the amount (saving a little regularly is the lesson).
• Use everyday moments (grocery store, online shopping) to talk about needs vs. wants.
• As kids get older, add real-world basics like protecting passwords, recognizing scams, and using accounts safely.
• Consider making banking part of the lesson — review statements together and talk through how deposits, withdrawals, and balances work.

Bring ‘Teach Children to Save Day’ to your school or youth organization

If you’re a teacher, school leader, nonprofit, or youth organization, National Teach Children to Save Day is a great time to bring age-appropriate financial education to students and families. Old National Bank can partner with you to deliver in-person or virtual sessions led by licensed instructors across our footprint. To request a session, connect with your local Old National banker or branch team, or visit our financial education workshops page.

• What grades/ages are you serving, and will parents/caregivers be included?
• What’s the goal of the session (introduce saving, budgeting basics, banking 101, fraud awareness for teens, etc.)?
• Do you prefer an in-person or virtual session, and what date/time works best?
• How many students (and adults) will participate, and what setting will it be (classroom, assembly, after-school program)?
• Learn more about workshops: Old National financial education workshops

For parents, caregivers, and mentors: you’re the example

Kids learn as much from what we do as what we say. If you talk openly about goals, show how you make choices, and normalize saving — even in small amounts — you’re giving children a blueprint they can carry forward.

And if you’d like support, Old National is here with educational resources and instructors who can reinforce these lessons in schools and community programs.

A simple next step on Teach Children to Save Day

On Teach Children to Save Day, pick one goal with a child in your life and make it visible. Decide together how they’ll earn or set aside money, how often you’ll check progress, and what small milestone you’ll celebrate along the way. The habit is the win, and the confidence that comes with it will last.

If we can help kids connect saving with possibility — something they want to do or become — we’ve given them a skill they can use for the rest of their lives.

Note: This article and any related workshops/materials are provided for educational purposes and are not intended as specific financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Please consult qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances. Products and services are subject to eligibility and availability.