{"id":1273,"date":"2023-06-15T06:00:04","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T13:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qa.simplifimoney.com\/blog\/challenges-for-kids\/"},"modified":"2024-11-18T10:19:13","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T18:19:13","slug":"challenges-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/challenges-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Fun Summer Money Challenges for Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Now that the long days of summer are here, are you racking your brain for new and creative ways to keep the kids busy and entertained? These fun challenges can help you teach your children about the value of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a recent study, only 19 states in the U.S. currently require kids in K-12 public schools to take a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/financial-literacy-basics\/\">financial literacy<\/a> course before they graduate. That means that it\u2019s up to you, the parents, to make sure your kids learn healthy financial habits and understand the basics of personal finance. Here are 12 great ways to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Summer money challenges for kids<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. The coin-saving challenge\u200b<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With this simple challenge, your kids can learn about the importance of saving money by working toward a specific goal. Whether it\u2019s a PlayStation 5, a new skateboard, or a birthday present for Grandma, all they have to do is place any coins they earn or find into a jar until it all adds up to the price of the item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, you\u2019ll help the kids exchange their coins for cash. Depending on how old your children are, you may also want to challenge them to do the counting themselves \u2014 what better way to learn that patience can come with a payoff?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. The 52-week money challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Part of the challenge when it comes to saving money is learning how to make it a regular habit. With the 52-week money challenge, your child starts by saving $.25 in the first week, and then increasing that amount by a quarter over the next 51 weeks (e.g., $.50 in week two, $.75 in week three, and so on). At the end of the year\u2014if they\u2019ve saved consistently every week\u2014they\u2019ll end up with $344.50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBy simply growing just a quarter EACH WEEK for the entire year, your child can put away enough money for a savings account, to purchase family Christmas presents on their own, or add it towards a larger goal they may have,\u201d says Stephanie Dirks, founder of the parenting website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.momdot.com\/52-week-money-challenge-for-kids\/\">MomDot<\/a>. \u201cAnd because each week they need to earn just a bit more, they should be doing more work as well and understanding how hard work combined with savings can be the key to long term success!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/12FunSummerChallenges_0.jpg\" alt=\"52 Week Money Saving Challenge For Kids check off graphed list color image\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. The 365-day money challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This challenge encourages kids to save a small but different amount of money every day for a year. They can use money they earned from household chores, a paper route, their allowance\u2014even birthday checks from other family members (if that money isn\u2019t specifically earmarked for a college fund, of course). It\u2019s really up to them and you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.savingadvice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/365-Day-Saving-Money-ChallengeFilled-in.pdf\">print out a chart<\/a> that has 365 boxes in it, each with an amount between $.01 and $3.65. Each amount can <em>only be used once<\/em> on the chart for the entire year. For example, on January 1, your child might add $.05. On January 2, they might add $1.23. On January 3, they might add $.16 and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each day, your child will choose an amount, add it to their piggy bank or savings jar, and cross it off the list. If they commit to this process for 365 days, they\u2019ll wind up with $667.95 by December 31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. The money-matching challenge: \u200b<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For one month, task your kids with contributing any money they earn from doing chores, mowing the lawn, delivering papers, or any other odd job to a jar. On the last day of the month, have them count up the total amount and then match it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boom, your kids just doubled their earnings! (And learned the basic concept of investing.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. The good-habits challenge:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to teach your kids about money while also encouraging good habits? Give them certain challenges to fulfill in order to earn rewards in the form of cash. Challenges can be extra-curricular reading, performing certain chores \u2014 any healthy habit you feel comfortable rewarding monetarily. Not only will your kids earn money, but they might also find that they actually enjoy these wholesome activities \u2014 a win-win for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. The no-spend weekend challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Entertaining children is big business. Advertisers know that kids are a captive audience, and they\u2019re more than happy to base entire marketing campaigns around them! That\u2019s why your child\u2019s idea of a dream weekend \u2014 say, a day at Six Flags or Dave &amp; Busters \u2014 inevitably seems to come with a sizable price tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Help your kids learn that fun doesn\u2019t have to cost a thing by planning an exciting, money-free weekend. A game night, a treasure hunt, playing sports outside at the park, or a visit to the beach are just a few of the fun things you can do as a family \u2014 without reaching for your wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. The saving-for-a-cause challenge\u200b<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Help your kids learn empathy and kindness by introducing them to the concept of charitable giving while they\u2019re still young. Amanda Grossman, a mom, certified financial education instructor, and founder of the website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moneyprodigy.com\/charities-for-kids-donate\/\">Money Prodigy<\/a>, recommends talking to your kids about your first donation and how it made you feel to get them excited about the idea of saving money for the good of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And don\u2019t forget to put your money where your mouth is. \u201cIf you want your child to give cheerfully, then they need to see you giving cheerfully,\u201d says Amanda. \u201cGet out there and be the person you want your child to be (just make sure they see it).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. The dinner-budget challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With this challenge, your kids will be responsible for planning, purchasing, and making dinner for the whole family using a budget set by you. Let them choose what they want to make and then have them put together their own shopping list. Next, drive them to the store and let them choose all the ingredients (under your supervision of course \u2014 they\u2019ll probably need help reaching some of those high shelves). They can even use a calculator and compare prices as they go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only will your kids get to create a budget all on their own, but they\u2019ll also learn (hopefully!) that the First National Bank of Mom and Dad has its limits \u2014 even when it comes to something as commonplace as <a href=\"https:\/\/mylifeandkids.com\/cooking-with-kids-30-simple-recipes-kids-can-make-themselves\">preparing a meal.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. The contest challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Did you know there are quite a few creative contests kids can enter to win cash prizes? Whether your child is an <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.reedsy.com\/writing-contests\/children-s\/\">aspiring author<\/a>, a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samanthasbell.com\/art-contests-for-kids\/\"> budding artist<\/a>, or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themakermom.com\/stem-competitions-for-students\/\">whiz at science<\/a>, there\u2019s a contest out there geared to his or her particular talents. This is a great way to encourage your kid to fuel their passions \u2014 and even begin to monetize their skill sets!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. The \u201cBig Kahuna\u201d savings challenge\u200b<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is another money-matching challenge, but with a twist. For the Big Kahuna savings challenge, your kids will need to choose a big ticket item (e.g., a concert, a trip to Disneyland) and then research the cost. Tell them that if they can save up and pay for half, you\u2019ll match them by paying the other half. They\u2019ll have fun working toward a goal that offers a big reward at the end <em>and<\/em> learn that saving money for something you really want takes focus and discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>11. The five-day grocery shopping challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This challenge is all about the benefits of budgeting. For five days, put your tween or teen kids in charge of family meals and give them a budget. At the end of five days, anything they don\u2019t spend they get to keep and divide up evenly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pro tip:<\/strong> You may want to include some simple parameters so don\u2019t find yourself eating spaghetti with ketchup or peanut butter and gummy bear sandwiches all week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>12. The online gaming challenge (yes, really!)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Chances are your kids are already obsessed with technology. Though it\u2019s important to limit their screen time, you can also encourage your kids to spend their time online more constructively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If they\u2019re already into online games, you\u2019re in luck. From <a href=\"http:\/\/practicalmoneyskills.com\/play\/peter_pigs_money_counter\">Peter Pig\u2019s Money Counter<\/a>, to <a href=\"http:\/\/practicalmoneyskills.com\/play\/financial_football\">Financial Football<\/a>, to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbrokers.de\/\">Best Brokers<\/a> app, there are plenty of apps and websites out there that are designed to help kids learn about money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What can your kids learn this summer?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea behind all these challenges is to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/family-relationships\/raising-financially-independent-children\">get your kids on the path to financial literacy <\/a>early by making the journey exciting and rewarding \u2014 not a boring chore that offers them no real benefits. While your kids are learning and having fun, you can rest easy knowing that you\u2019re preparing them for a better financial future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Worried your children aren\u2019t getting the financial education they deserve? Try some of these innovative and fun money games for kids.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":1276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"12 Fun Summer Money Challenges for Kids | Quicken","_seopress_titles_desc":"Worried your children aren\u2019t getting the financial education they deserve? Try some of these innovative and fun money games for kids.","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[78],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-relationships"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/12SummerChallengesOriginal.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1273"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1273\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6574,"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1273\/revisions\/6574"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}