Turn Giving Tuesday Into a Hands-On Lesson for Kids

By Julie Beckham, AVP/Financial Education Development & Strategy Officer at Rockland Trust

The holidays are more than wish lists and wrapping paper. They’re a chance to share big lessons with children in small, joyful moments. As families in Franklin celebrate the season, it’s the perfect opportunity to help young ones discover that generosity and gratitude can be just as exciting as gifts, and that learning to save, share, and spend wisely is a gift that lasts a lifetime. Moments like these often spark their curiosity about money, where it comes from, how it’s used, and how it can help others.

Kids are naturally curious about the grown-up concept of money. They want to understand not just how we earn and spend it, but how it can make a difference. You can feed their curiosity by initiating conversations about how money can be used to help others. Once they see money as a tool for making a difference, it becomes easier to bring those lessons to life through fun, age-appropriate activities that emphasize giving back to the community.

Looking for some hands-on ideas? One creative example is playing gift store checkout. Start by setting a "holiday giving budget" (a set number of play coins or dollars). Lay out different gifts, such as toys, around the house or pictures of gifts with prices on them. Your child must choose gifts for familymembers and make sure the total cost stays within their budget. This turns a simple game into a real- world lesson on trade-offs, intentional spending, and the joy of thoughtful giving. Practice goes a long way!

Another fun way to teach your child about money is to have them set up a hot chocolate stand during the holiday months and encourage them to determine the price of the hot chocolate. A stand can even set your little one up for an entrepreneurial future! It’s also a great way to get your neighborhood involved. To add a giving twist, encourage your child to donate all or a portion of the profits to a local charity, such as a food bank or a toy drive. This simple act introduces the concept that generosity can and should be part of every financial plan.

For a truly interactive experience, consider visiting The Children’s Museum of Franklin. The space is built by and for the community, showing families that generosity can start small and that kids can learn to give back while they play.

The museum is home to Ms. Money’s Playroom, an interactive exhibit created in partnership with Rockland Trust that teaches kids how saving, sharing, and spending wisely can make a difference for others. Through real-world play, from running a lemonade stand to a plinko game about giving back, children learn that giving is not just about money, but about compassion, choices, and community. It helps kids connect the dots between everyday play and lifelong money habits, showing them that the spirit of giving lasts far beyond the holidays and that generosity is one of the smartest money habits of all.