This activity supports Key Stage 1 Maths and PSHE objectives by helping children understand how small, regular savings add up over time. It encourages counting in steps, setting goals, and learning patience - key early money and maths skills.
What you’ll need 🪙
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A jar, cup, or small box to use as a “savings pot.”
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Some coins.
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A piece of paper or whiteboard to track progress.
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A goal your child wants to save for - like a small toy, book, or treat.
What to do 💰
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Set a goal. Talk about something your child would like to buy and how much it costs. Write it down - for example “Goal: £5 for a new book.”
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Plan the saving. Decide together how much to save each week - for example, 50p a week. Help your child work out how many weeks it will take to reach the goal. You can use coins to count it out: “50p + 50p + 50p…”.
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Start saving. Each week, let your child put their coins in the savings pot. Mark it on the paper - you can draw simple boxes or circles to tick off each week.
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Celebrate progress. When they reach halfway, talk about how much they’ve already saved. When they reach their goal, let them buy their reward or choose to keep saving for something bigger.
Questions to ask your child 💬
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“How many more weeks until you reach your goal?”
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“What happens if you save a little bit more each week?”
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“Would you rather spend your money now or save for something bigger later?”
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“How does it feel seeing your savings grow?”
What your child will learn 🎓
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To count in steps and use repeated addition (e.g. 50p + 50p + 50p).
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To set goals and understand that saving takes time and patience.
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To see progress visually and stay motivated.