Top 34 creative money gift ideas for kids and teens

Most kids and teens love getting money as a present. It gives them a sense of autonomy and aspiration – and a way to pay for that growing wish list of cool things they’d like to buy. A crisp $20 in a meaningful card is already a lovely gift. But it could grow into much more with a little extra effort. We’ve rounded up a list of creative money gift ideas for kids and teens that are fun to give and receive.

Creative money gift ideas for kids and teens

Kids and teens can be finicky with gifts because their tastes can change like the wind. But money never goes out of style, especially if you present it in the right way. Try one of these ideas or get inspired to create your own memorable money gift.

1. First-time debit card

Financial literacy for teens and kids isn’t inherent. It’s a taught and learned behavior. Instead of giving the gift of money, why not start with a basic tutorial on debit cards? Greenlight offers a debit card that allows kids to learn money management skills and responsibility at the same time. You can set limits, approve purchases and gifts, and track allowance and chores. 

2. Send a surprise gift link

If your child already has a debit card, you can send them a gift directly with many apps. 

Make it easy for friends and family to send money to your kids and teens for everything from gifting to IOUs. With pay links, kids can share unique links to receive money from friends and family (with your approval on every payment through family apps like Greenlight). 

3. Foreign money

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You don’t have to be a world traveler to give foreign money to teens and kids. Banks often carry foreign notes from all over the world.

While you typically can’t spend foreign currency in the U.S., it can open a young mind or spark an interest in numismatics and how money differs globally. They can save it for future travel or learn how to convert it into dollars at a bank. 

4. Virtual piggy bank

No money gift idea is more timeless than a piggy bank. It’s an easy way to teach kids to save up for a particular purchase or goal—which may become a car or a home down the road.

The cool factor is often lost on teens and recent grads, but you can modernize it by choosing an electronic or virtual piggy bank instead of a traditional one.

Greenlight offers a virtual piggy bank option for kids and teens. Instead of storing physical money, kids can use the money management app to watch their savings add up over time, earn rewards, and learn how to invest.

5. Gift of investing

Give the gift of investing by purchasing shares in companies the recipient loves, like Disney, Apple, or Nike. Introducing kids and teens to the basics of investing can help lay the foundation for long-term financial health. 

Pair investment gifts with a short note explaining why you purchased that specific stock and how they can track its progress. Greenlight customers can do this right in the app. Learn more about investing here. 

6. Money origami

Started in Japan in the early 17th century, origami is the ancient art of folding paper into shapes and objects. Traditionally, these shapes were primarily animals and birds, but you can use online sites to create any shape using paper bills.

7. Money pizza box

No time for origami? A money pizza box is the sweet spot between your folding talent and a great gift. To start, find a pizza box! Next, lay the dollar bills in a circle and top with “pepperoni” coins. It’s crafty and creative. 

8. Cash explosion box

An explosion gift box is a creative gift that delivers a wow factor! It looks like a simple gift box on the outside, but it “explodes” into layers filled with surprises when opened. Folded bills, heartfelt notes, or small photos can be tucked into each layer for an exciting and interactive experience.

9. Photo album money gift

A photo album filled with memories and cash is a heartfelt way to combine sentiment and practicality. Use a mini album to include pictures of shared moments, along with folded bills hidden between the pages. Each turn of the page becomes a delightful surprise! The personal touch of photos and the effort you put into choosing them makes it extra meaningful.

10. Subscription surprise

Combine cash with something the recipient can enjoy long-term. Use cash or a pre-loaded debit card to cover the cost of a subscription to Spotify for music lovers, Netflix for movie buffs, or a gaming service for players.

Add a personal note explaining why you chose the subscription and how they can use the funds to sign up. It’s the gift that keeps on giving every month!

24 more money gift ideas for special occasions

For older teens and adults who’ve outgrown the pizza box or piggy bank, look for themes around special days or occasions. Here’s a collection of special occasion money gift ideas to get you started.

Graduation gifts

Money is always a thoughtful present for high school or college students taking the next step in their lives. Fortunately, there's no shortage of DIY homemade gifts. Here are some money gift ideas for your favorite grad:

1. Mini diploma: Roll dollar bills like diplomas and tie them with small ribbons.

2. Graduation cap: Fold bills into tiny caps. You can even add tassels for a fun touch.

3. Money lei: String folded bills into a wearable lei for a festive gift.

4. Grad survival kit: Decorate a box and add money, snacks, gift cards, and other new grad essentials.

5. Money shadow box: Fill a shadow box with money and add a motivational caption like “In case of dreams, break glass” or “Invest in your future.”

Birthday gifts

If you’re looking for a money gift idea that’s perfect for a birthday celebration, try one of these:

1. Dollar-per-year tradition: Add $1 for each year on their birthday. So, on a child’s fifth birthday, they get $5; on someone’s 40th birthday, they get $40. 

2. Balloon surprise: Put rolled-up bills inside air-filled balloons and have the recipient pop them for the money.

3. Cash cake: Stack bills in the shape of the layers of a cake and secure them with ribbon.

4. Money puzzle box: Get a hard-to-open puzzle box and hide money inside for a fun challenge. 

5. Treasure hunt: Create a scavenger hunt with money as the reward at the end.

Valentine’s Day presents

Money gift ideas may not seem right for Valentine’s Day, at least at first glance. But for the right person, they’re surprisingly sweet. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

1. Box of money chocolates: Get a box of chocolates, remove the candy (but keep the wrappers!), and fold dollar bills to fit each wrapper.

2. Money bouquet: You can make flowers out of cash, or get fresh or faux flowers and wrap bills around the stems. 

3. Heart-shaped origami: Fold bills into a heart shape and give them in a small decorative box.

4. Money jar of love: Fill a jar with bills and love notes and tie a pretty ribbon around it.

Mother’s Day gift

Mom isn’t always the best candidate for a money gift. But with a touch of sentimentality and creativity, she’ll love these ideas:

1. Money tree: Did your mom ever tell you that “money doesn’t grow on trees?” Attach cash to a small faux tree or a branch in a vase as a fun and memorable way to prove that money does grow on trees sometimes!

2. Spa-day fund: Label a box or jar “Spa Day Fund” and fill it with small pampering items and cash.

3. Wallet surprise: Give mom that new wallet she’s been eyeing, but fill it with cash first.

4. Money bookmark: Add a tassel on a few bills and put them inside a book she wants to read.

Holiday money gift ideas

Regardless of what festive holiday you celebrate, you can always use money as a great gift. Try these holiday-themed money gift ideas:

1. Christmas money tree: Fold bills into different-sized triangles and attach them to paper or cardstock in a Christmas tree shape.

2. Money wreath: Attach bills to a wreath base and add some holiday decorations.

3. Gelt gift box: For Hanukkah, create a box with cash and chocolate coins.

4. Money advent calendar: Create an advent calendar with coins and bills in each slot.

5. Money stocking: Fill a holiday stocking with cash and holiday treats.

6. Diwali money envelopes: Celebrate the festival of lights by gifting cash in beautifully decorated envelopes.

You don’t have to spend much on money or props to create a money gift – it’s the demonstration of love and thoughtfulness that counts. 

Give financial literacy — with Greenlight

Presents are great, but financial literacy is something everyone can learn to appreciate for the rest of their lives. Give the gift of financial literacy with Greenlight. The all-in-one debit card, saving, and safety app also offers cash-back and savings rewards as kids learn how to save and spend money wisely. Learn more about giving financial literacy.

Want more smart money tips for kids? Bookmark the Greenlight Learning Center for fresh ideas, games, and tools for budgeting, smart spending, and saving for teens.