Thinking Money for Kids

We all need to master the knowledge and skills to make smart financial choices and prepare for whatever the future brings. Thinking Money for Kids, an initiative of the American Library Association and the FINRA Investor Foundation, strives to teach children and their parents, caregivers and educators about financial topics — like saving, spending, sharing and budgeting — in a way that is both meaningful and fun.


Thinking Money for Kids Program Kits: Programming Resources for Libraries

In 2023, ALA and the FINRA Foundation invite public libraries to apply to receive a Thinking Money for Kids Program Kit, a collection of expertly vetted resources to help libraries offer financial education for children ages 3 to 12, both in the library and in children’s homes.

Applications for this opportunity are closed.

 


Thinking Money for All Kids: Diverse and Inclusive Book Recommendations for Young People

ALA and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation collaborated with a team of librarian advisors to develop a book list that eschews stereotypes and embraces diversity in telling stories and sharing skills related to personal finance and financial capability for children.

The guide highlights 40 recommended titles selected by a team of librarian advisors and includes sections on how to build a diverse financial education collection, program ideas, resources, and tips.

Thinking Money for All Kids: Diverse and Inclusive Reads to Teach Young People about Money introduces books and resources to help young people explore personal values about money, treat people from all socioeconomic backgrounds with dignity and respect, and address the foundational concepts that comprise financial capability.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get a PDF of the Thinking Money for All Kids guide

 


Thinking Money For Kids: A Traveling Exhibit Tour to Public Libraries (2019-2023)

Thinking Money for Kids was a museum-quality exhibition that traveled to 50 U.S. public libraries between 2019 and 2023.

Through a bustling community market-themed storyline, digital interactive content and other fun, hands-on activities, the exhibition explored topics like earning money, saving and spending, and making responsible financial decisions.

The exhibition tour has concluded. Read the Thinking Money for Kids Summative Report, "Libraries as Sites of Financial Learning."

FREE FINANCIAL CAPABILITY GAMES: Experience an online version of the exhibition and make it part of your library's virtual financial education programming.


For more tips, tools, and resources about library-sponsored financial education programming, visit https://smartinvesting.ala.org.