Think of things you really enjoy doing during the summer -- playing baseball, reading, making art, riding your bicycle --and write down a list of your five favorite activities. Now, use the internet to search for charities that support your favorite activities. Maybe there is an organization that helps fix bikes for kids, or a group that donates time to maintain little league fields.
Try to make contact with one of the organizations you find and see how you can help, either by donating time or money from your "share" jar.
SAVING VIDEO
One of the hardest things for anyone to learn is that sometimes we cannot always have everything we want when we want it -- especially things that we buy. And important things like new bikes, a special toy, tickets to a concert can often seem expensive and out of reach to kids. Below is a neat little video we found that is great for younger kids that teaches about saving. If your Moonjar user is in first, second, or third grade this would be a great way to start talking about saving.SAVINGS ACTIVITIES
Match Savings
Forevery dollar your child saves, offer to put in a matching contribution. When they are little, you might be able to match 100%. Once they are older 25% or 50% might be reasonable to encourage them to save.
Open a Savings Account
Encourage him to deposit a portion of money he earns into a savings account and track the interest earned on his account.
Encourage Them to Set Goals
If they want to purchase an expensive toy, hang up a drawing of an empty thermometer. As they save their money, color in the thermometer. They'll be able to track their progress visually.
Give Non-monetary Savings Rewards
Young children may not understand that $10 tomorrow is better than $5 today. Consider rewarding children with things special to them for saving their money: stickers, toys, and special outings can be helpful.
Make a Wish List
Encourage children to identify fun things to spend their money on. For older children, prioritizing the list can be a helpful challenge.
Display a Picture
Hang a picture of a wanted item off their wish list on the wall. If your child is saving for a special purchase, hang up a picture to remind them of what they are working towards.
Save Money in Front of Your Children
Keep your own piggy bank or deposit money in the bank when you are with your children. Explain what you are saving for and your children will mimic your behavior.
Help Them Spend Money
Occasionally, children will get so focused on saving their money, that they won't spend any money along the way. Help them enjoy their money by spending some on small purchases or surprising them by buying something they'd like.
