Teaching kids about making smart money decisions early has positive impacts throughout their lives. There are simple, hands-on practices that you can involve them in that build a foundation of smart money habits.

April is both Financial Literacy Month and Credit Union Youth Month—a nationwide celebration focused on helping kids and teens build confidence and healthy money habits early. This year, Texans Credit Union is bringing the energy and excitement of soccer into our branches throughout the month of April for CU Youth Month, turning everyday money lessons into something families can experience together.

Building money skills starts with the basics, and it’s easier when learning feels fun and encouraging. Here are some simple ways to help your child develop smart money habits.

Think of yourself as your child’s financial coach. With encouragement, practice, and small wins along the way, kids build confidence one step at a time.

HELP YOUR KIDS SCORE THEIR FIRST GOAL

Goal setting gives kids a reason to make intentional choices with their money. For younger kids, start with short-term goals they can reach fairly quickly, like saving for a toy or a game. As they get older, they can begin working toward longer-term goals, like a phone or a down payment on a car.

Make progress visible and motivating:

• Create a savings chart on the fridge
• Use a simple goal-tracking app
• Celebrate milestones along the way

One way to help kids stay motivated is to match a portion of what they save. For example, you might match every dollar they set aside or contribute a percentage toward their goal, whichever fits your budget.

HELP YOUR KIDS START EARNING THEIR OWN MONEY

When kids have the chance to earn their own money, they start to understand that work produces income. These experiences lay the foundation for other money habits they’ll develop. Like practicing a sport, the more they earn and manage money, the more natural it becomes.

For younger kids, consider simple tasks like washing the car, cleaning out the garage, or organizing a closet. As they get older, tweens and teens can take on neighborhood jobs like babysitting, pet sitting, or yard work.

Kids can build valuable business skills by creating and selling handmade crafts locally or at community events. They might also offer simple services like tutoring younger students, pet sitting, or helping neighbors with yard work.

TURN MONEY LESSONS INTO A GAME

One of the best ways to teach kids about money is to make it fun. When it doesn’t feel like a lesson, kids are more likely to stay engaged and remember what they learn.

Consider having a weekly game night. Classic board games like Monopoly, The Game of Life, and Pay Day teach kids about earning, spending, and dealing with unexpected expenses. Younger kids may enjoy simpler money games like Managing My Allowance, Exact Change, or Bank It.

Friendly competitions can add even more excitement. You could see who can find the best deal while shopping or who can save the most toward their goal in a month. Offering a small prize to the winner can turn learning into something they look forward to.

TRY FAMILY “MONEY HUDDLES”

Just like teams review plays after a game, families can benefit from regular money check-ins. A weekly or monthly “money huddle” gives kids a chance to talk about goals, spending choices, and progress.

These conversations don’t need to feel formal. You might:

• Review savings goals and track progress
• Talk through recent spending decisions
• Plan together for an upcoming purchase
• Brainstorm ways to earn or save more

When kids feel included in money conversations, they build confidence and decision-making skills that last far beyond childhood.

GIVE KIDS REAL MONEY RESPONSIBILITY

When kids manage their own money, they learn to think through purchases. Consider setting a budget for something and allowing your kids to decide how to spend it with an allowance. For example, a younger kid might manage a small entertainment budget, while a teen might handle something bigger, like their school clothing budget or monthly gas money.

Money mistakes may happen, but that's part of the learning process. Each misstep is a valuable teaching moment. Over time, consider gradually increasing what they're responsible for as they show they can handle it.

USE REAL TOOLS TO TEACH MONEY

The more kids can see where their money is going each month, the easier it becomes to manage. Opening a Texans Kids Savings Account gives children a real-world way to track their spending, monitor their savings progress, and build strong financial habits early. It also introduces them to basic banking tools they’ll use throughout their lives

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD SCORE BIG

Teaching kids about money doesn’t have to be complicated. During CU Youth Month, many families are finding out just how easy it is to get started. Take Lila’s family, for example:

A GOAL WORTH CELEBRATING

On a Saturday morning in April, Lila and her dad visited Texans Credit Union for Game Day Saturday. Soccer-themed decorations, friendly faces, and fun activities made the branch feel more like a celebration than a lesson.

While Lila enjoyed the games and talked about her favorite players, her dad connected with the Texans team about helping her learn the basics of saving and goal-setting. By the end of their visit, Lila proudly held her prize and shared what she wanted to save for next.

Just like in soccer, progress happens one goal at a time. This CU Youth Month, Texans Credit Union is proud to support families like Lila’s as they help the next generation build strong financial habits.

GETTING YOUR CHILD IN THE GAME

Every great team needs a place to practice, coaches who believe in them, and a reason to keep playing the game. This April, Texans Credit Union is offering all three.

Every Saturday in April, Texans Credit Union branches are hosting Game Day Saturdays for CU Youth Month, inspired by soccer and the excitement of the World Cup. Families are invited to stop by, no registration required, and take part in a fun, welcoming environment designed to help kids begin learning about money in a hands-on way.

These in-branch events include soccer-themed activities, branch celebrations, and conversations about saving, spending, and goal-setting. Kids who open a Texans Youth Account during the event will also receive a special prize.

To help young savers build momentum, Texans is offering a special Youth Month Bonus:

• Open a new Texans Youth Account in April
• Deposit $100 by May 30, 2026
• Texans will deposit an additional $100

That’s a $200 boost designed to encourage saving, build confidence, and reinforce positive money habits from the very start.

Ready to help your child start building strong money habits? Open a Texans Kids Savings Account and give them a simple, hands-on way to watch their savings grow. With just $5 to open and no monthly service fee, it’s an easy way to turn lessons at home into real-life practice.

OPEN A KIDS SAVINGS ACCOUNT