Teaching kids about money: save, spend, share

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Quick answer

A family playlist for young children. Elmo, Cookie Monster and Bert and Ernie from Sesame Workshop explain earning, saving, spending and sharing, and the St. Louis Fed's sing-alongs cover goods, services and savings goals. Press Play all on repeat to watch together, or choose Repeat one for a favourite. Videos for parents come last.

Play all on repeat

Videos in this playlist

  1. 1How Do People Get Money?How Do People Get Money?Sesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  2. 2What Makes Something Useful as Money? | Explore Economics (Grades 2-5)What Makes Something Useful as Money? | Explore Economics (Grades 2-5)Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisPlay from here Loop
  3. 3What Are Goods and Services? | Explore Economics Sing-along (Grades 2-5)What Are Goods and Services? | Explore Economics Sing-along (Grades 2-5)Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisPlay from here Loop
  4. 4What Are Consumers and Producers? | Explore Economics Sing-along (Grades 2-5)What Are Consumers and Producers? | Explore Economics Sing-along (Grades 2-5)Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisPlay from here Loop
  5. 5Wants and Needs with Bert and Ernie | Financial EducationWants and Needs with Bert and Ernie | Financial EducationSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  6. 6Saving, Spending, SharingSaving, Spending, SharingSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  7. 7Elmo’s Spend, Share, and Save Jars | Financial EducationElmo’s Spend, Share, and Save Jars | Financial EducationSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  8. 8Elmo Learns to SaveElmo Learns to SaveSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  9. 9Saving and Savings Goals | Explore Economics Sing-along (Grades 2-5)Saving and Savings Goals | Explore Economics Sing-along (Grades 2-5)Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisPlay from here Loop
  10. 10Cookie Monster Makes a Spending Plan | Financial EducationCookie Monster Makes a Spending Plan | Financial EducationSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  11. 11Helping Kids Make Good Financial Choices with Cookie Monster | Financial EducationHelping Kids Make Good Financial Choices with Cookie Monster | Financial EducationSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  12. 12How Daniel Got What He Wanted | Explore Economics (Grades 2-5)How Daniel Got What He Wanted | Explore Economics (Grades 2-5)Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisPlay from here Loop
  13. 13The Perfect Breakfast | Explore Economics (Grades 2-5)The Perfect Breakfast | Explore Economics (Grades 2-5)Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisPlay from here Loop
  14. 14Helping OthersHelping OthersSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  15. 15Introduce Money Skills with Wise Peter PigIntroduce Money Skills with Wise Peter PigPractical Money SkillsPlay from here Loop
  16. 16Counting American coins | Measurement and data | Early Math | Khan AcademyCounting American coins | Measurement and data | Early Math | Khan AcademyKhan AcademyPlay from here Loop
  17. 17Counting dollars | Measurement and data | Early Math | Khan AcademyCounting dollars | Measurement and data | Early Math | Khan AcademyKhan AcademyPlay from here Loop
  18. 18Bright Financial FuturesBright Financial FuturesSesame WorkshopPlay from here Loop
  19. 19Do Kids Need to Learn About Money?Do Kids Need to Learn About Money?Two CentsPlay from here Loop
  20. 20An Introduction to the Building Blocks of Youth Financial Capability — consumerfinance.govAn Introduction to the Building Blocks of Youth Financial Capability — consumerfinance.govcfpbvideoPlay from here Loop
  21. 21Financial Habits and Norms - Building Blocks of Financial Capability — consumerfinance.govFinancial Habits and Norms - Building Blocks of Financial Capability — consumerfinance.govcfpbvideoPlay from here Loop
  22. 22Executive Function - Building Blocks of Financial Capability — consumerfinance.govExecutive Function - Building Blocks of Financial Capability — consumerfinance.govcfpbvideoPlay from here Loop
  23. 23Financial Knowledge and Decision-Making Skills - Building Blocks of Financial CapabilityFinancial Knowledge and Decision-Making Skills - Building Blocks of Financial CapabilitycfpbvideoPlay from here Loop

What can young children learn about money?

Quite a lot, in small steps: that people work to earn money, the difference between needs and wants, that saving means waiting for something bigger, and that money can also help others. A simple save, spend and share jar turns those ideas into a habit children can see.

How do I use these videos with my child?

Watch one short video together, then try it at home: sort toys into needs and wants, or set up three jars like Elmo. Choose Repeat one for a song your child likes, and A–B loop the moment that explains the idea so you can pause and talk about it.

Frequently asked questions

What age are these videos for?

The Sesame Street videos suit preschoolers, roughly ages 3 to 6. The St. Louis Fed sing-alongs and stories are made for grades 2 to 5, and the Khan Academy coin lessons fit early primary school. The videos at the end of the list are for parents and caregivers.

Should my child get pocket money or an allowance?

Many families find a small, regular amount gives children real choices to practise with, but there is no single right answer. What matters more is talking about the choices: what to save for, what to spend now and how to share. The parent videos at the end discuss this.

Is this financial advice?

No. These videos are educational and come from the channels that published them. They are not financial, tax or legal advice for your situation. Rules, accounts and products differ by country, so for personal decisions consider a qualified, regulated adviser or a free, government-backed money service.