Teaching financial literacy in schools is about more than numbers; it’s about equipping students with practical life skills they can carry into adulthood. With the rising importance of understanding how to save, spend, and share money wisely, educators are seeking ways to make these lessons informative and engaging.
Creative classroom activities and competitions, like the Money Heroes competition, are proving to be a game-changer in bringing financial education to life.
The Importance of Financial Education
Building financial literacy early helps children develop habits that will serve them throughout their lives. Concepts like budgeting, goal-setting, and understanding the value of money are crucial, yet these lessons are often overlooked in traditional curricula.
By integrating money management into creative and collaborative activities, students can gain hands-on experience in a way that feels relevant and fun.
What is the Money Heroes Competition?
The Money Heroes competition, open to primary school students (Years 1-6), is an exciting opportunity to combine financial education with creativity. Participants design a character for author Matt Carr’s next Ed & Bunny story, reflecting positive money habits like saving, spending, or sharing. Not only does this help students understand key financial concepts, but it also fosters critical thinking, artistic expression, and collaboration.
Running until April 30, 2025, the competition offers fantastic prizes, including a school visit from Matt Carr, £50 book tokens, and the chance for the winning character to star in the next Ed & Bunny adventure. Schools registered with Money Heroes can access free teaching resources to guide their students through the process.
How to Teach Financial Skills Creatively
- Bring Characters to Life
Using the Money Heroes competition as a springboard, ask students to brainstorm character traits representing financial habits. For example, “Saving Sam” might always stash a portion of his pocket money for future adventures, while “Sharing Sophia” could be known for helping friends reach their goals. Through drawing and storytelling, children link abstract concepts to relatable scenarios. - Money in Action Activities
Turn the classroom into a mini-economy. Assign students roles like shopkeepers, budget planners, and customers. Use pretend currency to help them practice earning, spending, and saving. These activities build an understanding of money flow and encourage decision-making. - Cross-Curricular Connections
Financial skills integrate naturally with subjects like maths, PSHE, and art. For example:
- In maths, calculate savings growth or plan a budget.
- In PSHE, discuss fairness in spending and sharing.
- In art, design posters promoting smart money habits.
- Family Involvement
Engage parents by encouraging conversations about money at home. Send updates about the competition and suggest simple activities, like tracking household savings goals or discussing needs versus wants during shopping trips.
Why Creativity Matters in Financial Literacy
Competitions like Money Heroes prove that teaching financial skills doesn’t have to be boring or overly technical. By using storytelling and imagination, students can connect with these ideas in a way that feels meaningful and exciting.
The Money Heroes initiative offers a platform for students to think critically about money while having fun—a perfect recipe for memorable and impactful learning. To learn more, explore the free resources on the Money Heroes website and start making financial education an adventure!
Role Play, natural resources, real-world problem solving and digital media can all be used to bring financial learning to life and make it more meaningful.