While summer is still in full swing, now is a great time for families, educators, and community partners to explore financial education tools that will help young people succeed.

From early money lessons with Sesame Street to high school games that simulate college costs and credit building, financial literacy can be fun, age-appropriate, and accessible. Whether you’re a parent looking for at-home activities, a teacher building curriculum, or a teen just starting to think about saving, these free tools offer something for everyone.

Curricula & Learning Resources by Age

Hands on Banking
https://youth.handsonbanking.org
A free, award-winning financial education program available in English and Spanish. It offers non-commercial content for students, parents, and educators—including lesson plans, instructor guides, and online activities.
Bonus: Check out printable family activities for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Explore family activities

FDIC Money Smart for Young People
https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/money-smart-young-people
Offers four free, age-specific financial literacy curriculums for Pre-K through 12th grade. Includes educator guides and engaging student materials.

Sesame Street: For Me, For You, For Later
https://sesamestreet.org/toolkits/save
For children ages 1–6, this toolkit introduces the concepts of saving, spending, and sharing through games, videos, and printable activities.

Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) – Middle School Course
https://www.ngpf.org/courses/middle-school-course
A 9-week course designed for grades 6–8 covering money values, banking, saving, and budgeting. Includes free resources through Google Drive, Nearpod, and Pear Deck.

NGPF High School Semester Course
https://www.ngpf.org/courses/semester-course
This semester-long course for grades 9–12 aligns with national financial literacy standards and prepares students to manage personal finances after graduation.

Money Path by Secure Futures
https://moneypath.securefutures.org
Wisconsin-based digital planning tool that helps students visualize the financial impact of college and career decisions.
Explore additional resources and educator tools here:
Secure Futures Resource Hub

Invest in Girls Online Program
https://www.investingirls.org/for-students
An online high school program that teaches young women core financial decision-making skills and builds their money confidence.

Women Talk Money: Teen Girl Learning Series
https://fidelityevents.com/teen-girl-learning-series
A self-paced, interactive series designed to help teens build financial literacy and life skills at their own pace, perfect for families to do together.

Free Tools for All Ages

Look Forward Wisconsin
https://lookforwardwi.gov
Provides college and career planning tools for students of all ages. Includes a downloadable College & Career Readiness Guide for families and educators.

Mapping Your Future
https://mappingyourfuture.org
Interactive tools and guidance for kids exploring future career paths and college opportunities.

Your Money, Your Future
https://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/en
A student-centered money guide that teaches personal finance topics in a clear and approachable format.

Interactive Games That Teach

Financial literacy can be hands-on and engaging. These free online games teach valuable concepts through decision-making, roleplay, and real-world scenarios:

Game	Recommended Age Range	Description / Notes
U.S Mint Coin Classroom (kids.usmint.gov/games)	Elementary – Middle School (Grades 3–6)	Variety of games covering basic money concepts through coin games.
NGPF Arcade (ngpf.org/arcade)	Middle School – High School (Grades 6–12)	Wide range of games on budgeting, investing, insurance, and more. Most are quick, topic-specific simulations.
Credit Clash (creditclash.com)	Middle School – High School (Grades 7–12)	Budgeting game where players navigate unexpected expenses and real-life financial decisions.
Payback (timeforpayback.com)	High School (Grades 9–12)	Students simulate choices about college costs, time management, and student debt.
STAX (buildyourstax.com)	High School & Up (Grades 9–Adult)	Simulates 20 years of investing to show the long-term impact of financial choices.
Shady Sam (shadysam.com)	High School & Up (Grades 9–Adult)	Teaches about predatory lending practices by letting users “play the villain.” Best for mature learners.
SPENT (playspent.org)	High School & Up (Grades 9–Adult)	Students experience financial instability and must make hard budgeting choices on a limited income.
Con ‘Em If You Can (conemifyoucan.org)	High School & Up (Grades 9–Adult)	A strategy game about identifying investment fraud and scams. Focuses on critical thinking.

 

Supporting Students, Families & Educators

Equipping young people with financial knowledge starts with the support of families, schools, and communities. Many of these programs are designed for use at home, in classrooms, or within community workshops—and all are free.

Have questions about college or student loans?
Contact the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt for expert, no-cost assistance by phone or email.

Explore a few of these resources today, and help the young people in your life start building strong financial habits that will serve them for years to come.