Raising Money-Smart Kids in Canada

Kids learn about money in all kinds of ways—by saving up for something they really want, helping out at the grocery store, or even running their first lemonade stand. These small experiences add up, helping them build the confidence and understanding they’ll need for bigger financial decisions later in life.

Across Canada, there’s a welcome and growing momentum to make financial literacy a key part of children’s development. While there’s still much ground to cover, it’s encouraging to see schools, families, and organizations stepping up with more tools and opportunities to learn financial skills. These efforts aim to help young people engage with money in thoughtful, age-appropriate, and meaningful ways.

This blog highlights a few helpful resources for parents, teachers, and caregivers who want to support kids on their journey to becoming confident, money-smart individuals.

Canada’s Financial Literacy Movement: What’s Happening?

Financial literacy is becoming a stronger focus in education and public life in Canada, thanks to several recent initiatives:

1. Financial Literacy in Schools

Provinces like Ontario and British Columbia have added financial literacy content to their curriculums. Students are introduced to budgeting, saving, and credit use through classroom activities and discussions.

The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), supports incorporating these skills from K–12 by integrating them into core subjects like math, social studies, and career studies.

2. Financial Literacy Month (Every November)

Each November, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) leads a national effort, Financial Literacy Month, to highlight the importance of financial literacy. Schools, financial institutions, and community groups across the country host campaigns and provide free educational resources for all ages.  

Canadian Resources to Explore With Your Kids

There are several free and accessible tools to help families start the money conversation at home or in the classroom:

Money and Youth

Offered by the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) - A downloadable book geared toward youth aged 12 and older. It covers real-life financial decisions including saving, spending, investing, and earning income. Check out their resources here: Canadian Foundation for Economic Education

Talk With Our Kids About Money Day

Another CFEE initiative, Talk With Our Kids About Money, this annual event encourages money conversations between children and adults at home or school. The program includes downloadable guides and activities organized by age and grade level. Check it out!

My Money in Canada

Provided by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)

This interactive platform breaks down financial topics into clear, kid-friendly sections. It includes printable worksheets, games, and modules that help children and teens build money skills in a fun and accessible way.

You can explore it here:

My Money in Canada (Look for the section titled “Teaching children about money” under “Life events and your money.”)

For even more child-focused content, FCAC also offers a broader set of interactive tools designed to support learning through play and everyday experiences:

FCAC Interactive Resources

These are great starting points for families and educators looking to build practical financial knowledge at home or in the classroom.

Building Confidence Through Everyday Conversations

Remember, some of the best lessons come from everyday life:

• Involving kids in planning a grocery budget, and discussing costs of products

• Encouraging them to track their allowance, monetary gifts, spending, and savings

• Asking questions like “What’s one thing you’re saving for?”

Even mistakes can be learning opportunities. For example, if a toy breaks soon after purchase, it’s a chance to talk about quality and value—not just price.

What Kids Often Understand Better Than Adults

Children are naturally curious and generally unafraid to ask questions. When given the chance, they often explore creative ideas about money—how it works, how it’s earned, and how it can be shared.

By supporting this curiosity early on, we help them develop skills that extend beyond finances, including decision-making, problem-solving, and empathy.

Looking Ahead

New materials and activities are always in development to help children explore financial literacy through stories, games, and challenges. These can range from printable worksheets and puzzles to interactive decision-making stories. Stay tuned for Financial KID Academy resources coming soon!

The information in this article is intended for general informational purposes and reflects the authors' personal views and experiences. All content is copyright © 2025 Financial KID Academy. All rights reserved.