This activity supports Upper Key Stage 2 Maths and PSHE objectives by helping children record, measure, and visualise how savings grow over time. It also introduces concepts of data handling, progress tracking, and goal setting.
What you’ll need 🪙
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A notebook, piece of paper, or simple spreadsheet.
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A ruler and coloured pencils (for drawing the bar chart).
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A jar or envelope for real savings, or a pretend savings pot if using play money.
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Optional: a weekly goal, e.g. “Save £2 a week for 8 weeks.”
What to do 💰
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Set a goal. Talk about something your child wants to save for and how much it costs. Example: “Goal: £16 for a new game.” Decide how much they’ll save each week = e.g. £2, and how many weeks it will take.
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Make a savings chart. On paper, draw a bar chart with:
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The x-axis is labeled “Week 1, Week 2, Week 3…”
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The y-axis is labeled with amounts (£2, £4, £6, etc.).
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Track progress. Each week, when they add money to their savings, colour in the next bar to show their progress and write down their total savings so far. Celebrate milestones (e.g. halfway there!) and discuss how regular saving helps money grow.
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Reflect and review. At the end of the challenge, talk about how long it took, how it felt, and what they learned about saving patiently.
Questions to ask your child 💬
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“How many weeks will it take to reach your goal?”
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“What happens if you add £1 extra each week?”
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“How can you tell from your chart how close you are?”
What your child will learn 🎓
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To record and interpret data using a bar chart.
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To add and multiply amounts of money to track totals.
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To understand regular saving and how small amounts add up.