Best financial books for kids to build money skills

Financial literacy is crucially important for everyone, and it's never too early to start learning. Developing good money habits at a young age can help kids grow into financially responsible adults and set them up to succeed with their financial goals, from going to college to owning a home.

Books are a great way to introduce money concepts early on and give your kids access to great advice and ideas about finances. Here, we offer suggestions for the best financial books for kids, including preschoolers, early elementary students, tweens, and teens.

Best financial books for preschoolers (ages 3 to 5)

Yes, even preschoolers can begin learning about money. Teaching financial literacy is easier at a young age, so long as you start with basic concepts and help young kids build positive money mindsets.

Books about money that are appropriate for preschoolers use stories, pictures, and repetition to teach the basics.

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Money Plan by Monica Eaton

This rhyming tale follows Mia and her mommy on their Saturday trip to the grocery store. Mia spots a treat, and mommy steps in with a lesson about money management.

Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells

Part of the best-selling Max and Ruby series, Bunny Money is a money book that doesn't really feel like one. Ruby knows exactly what she wants to get Grandma for her birthday, but Max has another idea of how to use the money Ruby has saved. This silly story is also a great introduction to financial concepts.

Best financial books for early elementary (ages 6 to 8)

As kids begin learning math in school, it's a great time to fortify their learning by providing additional context through money. At this age, kids can begin understanding value, saving, and simple budgeting. These books can reinforce these ideas with interactive storytelling elements.

A Kid's Book About Money by Adam Stramwasser

Not shy about being a money book, A Kid's Book About Money offers interactive charts and engaging visuals to teach kids what money is, how to earn it, and how to use it wisely.

Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock by Sheila Bair

This more entertaining approach to money follows twins Rock and Brock. When their grandpa offers to pay them a dollar on each of the next ten Saturdays, each boy sees green. But while Rock spends his money despite Grandpa's promise to match each dollar saved every week, Brock is saving his. By the end of the summer, Brock has $512 and Rock has none. It's a valuable lesson in building a relationship with money and making informed choices about saving.

Best financial books for tweens (ages 9 to 12)

As they're getting into more complex math and developing a better understanding of how the world works, tweens are ready to explore money concepts like allowances, setting financial goals, and spending wisely with a budget. These financial literacy books for kids promote financial independence and responsibility while also teaching valuable skills for kids. They're a great way to level up your kid's financial literacy.

How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000 by James McKenna

Talk about goals, huh? James McKenna's book is an excellent primer on investing for kids. Using real examples like getting a business off the ground or saving money to buy a new bike, McKenna offers practical advice to help kids understand the basics of making money, saving money, and growing it over time. It's a great way to start more complicated conversations about money with your young kids.

Finance 101 for Kids by Walter Andal

A good inspiration for financial literacy games, this book applies the concept of finance to real-life situations so that young kids can digest money topics in a way they understand. Written to help spur conversations about money with his own kids, this entertaining book can help your kids start making smart personal financial decisions.

Best financial books for teens (ages 13 to 18)

Finally, teens have perhaps the most to gain from financial literacy. They're preparing for jobs, bank accounts, and starting to save for major financial decisions like buying a car or going off to college. They're nearing financial independence themselves. These recommended books cover topics like budgeting, credit, and investing to give teens a more nuanced understanding of how money works.

I Want More Pizza by Steve Burkholder

More exciting than a lecture about financial literacy month, I Want More Pizza is one of the best personal finance books for kids because it frames money conversations in a very accessible way: the pizza model. 

The Teen Investor by Emmanuel Modu and Andrea Walker

Investing at a young age is a great way to start building wealth and preparing for a more prosperous future. This easy-to-understand guide familiarizes teens and their parents with the stock market, providing interactive companion resources on the teenvestor.com website.

How books support hands-on money learning

Most of these books tie money into real-world situations, helping kids of all ages understand financial concepts through practical examples. While books are a great resource, you can also benefit from using apps and digital tools to reinforce the lessons gleaned from these books. With intuitive savings tools, an allowance guide, account monitoring, and more, the Greenlight app can help put the lessons learned from these financial books for kids into practice.

Greenlight: Build smart money habits with books and beyond

It's never too early to start building smart money habits. These books offer great resources to get kids of all ages started, or help them take their financial literacy up a notch as they start to earn more money or think about financial goals. With Greenlight, you can add to your financial literacy toolkit with an app that helps kids and teens learn to spend, save, and invest wisely. Track chores and pay allowances, set dedicated savings goals, and even begin teaching kids. Use the Greenlight app to reinforce these books and increase financial literacy for kids and teens.

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