We just ask that you complete a quick registration form to tell us more about yourself. After you fill it out, you will receive an email with a link to the materials.
Why use Make Money Make Sense?
Although the ability to make good financial choices is an essential life skill, youth lack the knowledge and experience to make informed choices. The activities in the toolkit encourage youth to explore the connection between the choices they make, and the money needed for those choices. This informal approach to learning about money provides an engaging way for youth to become aware of, and practice, financial decision-making skills in the context of their own lives.
What to expect
This toolkit was designed for educators and professionals to help youth learn about making financial decisions. The activities do not need to be conducted by someone trained in personal finance; they are designed as simple introductory activities.
Make Money Make Sense has ten financial activities that each take about 30 minutes to complete. The activities can be used in a variety of settings, including after-school programs, summer camps, and school events. When you access the toolkit you will get:
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Instructions and materials for ten financial activities.
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Workbook for youth participants.
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Stickers that participants can place in the workbook after completing each activity.
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Brief instructor video with the goal of each activity and some suggestions to get started.
Flexible program grounded in research
2021 AFCPE® Outstanding Symposium Research to Practice Forum award winner!
Make Money Make Sense was developed based on ongoing research about how young people make decisions. Most of the activities require minimal preparation and set-up time, which makes them easy to use in multiple settings, and easy to adapt to different ages. Activities can be used individually to focus on a particular financial concept, or combined with other resources as part of a learning series.
Research shows that youth learn about finances from two main sources: socialization from influential people in their lives and education about financial content. Although these sources of influence promote financial knowledge, it is only by acting on the knowledge that youth understand the relevance and value of that knowledge. By providing youth with opportunities to practice making financial choices, they develop the knowledge and skills to make more informed financial choices.
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Reviewed in 2023