ORLANDO, Fla. – The South Creek branch of the Orange County Library System is doing more than lending books these days. As one of 300 public libraries nationwide selected for the “Thinking Money for Kids” program, it’s using games to teach financial literacy to children ages 3 to 12.
The program kit, developed by the American Library Association and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, includes five interactive games designed to make learning about money fun and engaging for children. Branch Manager Zully Escobar sees this as an innovative way to introduce kids to basic financial concepts.
“Children in those age ranges are very open to trying new things,” Escobar said. “They’re very interested in the concepts, and they like to participate. That’s why doing it as a game makes it a lot easier.”
One of the games included in the kit is Pet Cents, which focuses on the financial decisions involved in owning a pet. Escobar explained that the game highlights real-world money choices that involve food, housing, healthcare, and unexpected costs.
Escobar, who holds a degree in economics, emphasizes that making money decisions plays a key role in a child’s financial education.
“We want [kids] to be empowered to make those decisions and to learn the basic concepts of financial literacy,” she said.
The five games in the Thinking Money for Kids kit focus on basic foundational skills like earning, saving, spending, and giving. Escobar encourages parents to reinforce these basics at home by discussing everyday financial transactions with their children.
“You go to the supermarket, right, and you’re handing money or a card to the cashier. Talk to your children about that,” she said.
Many parents across the country are hoping public schools will take on a larger role. A recent WalletHub survey found that 95% of parents nationwide believe financial education should be part of the core curriculum.
WalletHub writer and analyst Chip Lupo stressed the importance of starting with the basics.
“It all starts with fundamentals. Once you get those fundamentals down, what appears now to be complicated will start to make more sense,” he said.
Many states are already addressing this issue. In 2022, Florida passed a law requiring high school students to complete a half-credit financial literacy course to graduate. However, Escobar believes these lessons should begin much earlier.
“It’s just easier for [children] if throughout their whole lives they are presented with those opportunities to talk about money,” she said. “Libraries in general can bridge that gap a little bit and start teaching children these concepts way ahead of high school.”
The Orange County library’s first event is scheduled for Jan. 25 at the South Creek branch, with plans to continue offering the program throughout 2025. They are also offering a new program for teenagers.
The Hiawassee branch will host “Brains & Bucks: Financial Literacy in a Zombie World” on Jan. 31. The program is a post-apocalyptic simulation where teens make financial decisions to “survive” in a zombie-infested world.
Escobar encourages residents of Orange County to take advantage of the free resources available at the library, including educational programs and access to business-oriented databases.
“Get your library card. If you’re a resident of Orange County, it is free to sign up,” she said. “All of the programs are free. I always call it the best card in town.”
Orange County Library’s scheduled financial courses. (Registration is strongly encouraged for in-person events, attendance may be limited.)
- South Creek Branch
- Saturday, January 25
- 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- (Ages 6-12)
Brains & Bucks: Financial Literacy in a Zombie World
- Hiawassee Branch
- Friday, January 31
- 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- (Ages 13-18)
Money Smart: Let’s Go Shopping
- Hiawassee Branch
- Friday, February 7
- 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- (Ages 3-5)
- South Creek Branch
- Saturday, February 15
- 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- (Ages 3-8)
Preparing for Retirement: Real Estate/Insurance
- South Creek Branch
- Friday, February 21
- 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- (Adults only)
- South Creek Branch
- Thursday, February 27
- 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- (Ages 3-12)
- South Creek Branch
- Friday, March 7
- 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- (Ages 5 - 12)
For adults in Orange County, you can get free financial counseling from the county’s new Financial Empowerment Center that opened on Jan. 8.
Other Central Florida financial literacy resources
The Osceola County Library is also offering the “Thinking Money for Kids” program starting on Jan. 22 at Buenaventura Lakes Library and Veterans Memorial Library – St. Cloud Branch for in-person kids’ programs.
Osceola’s scheduled financial courses:
Making Mooo-lah
- Buenaventura Lakes Library – 4:30pm, Wednesday, January 22
- Veterans Memorial Library – St. Cloud Branch – 4:30pm, Wednesday, March 5
- Ages 6-11
Pet Cents
- Buenaventura Lakes Library – 2pm, Saturday, February 22
- Veterans Memorial Library – St. Cloud Branch – 4:30pm, Wednesday, May 7
- Adoption event with Osceola Animal Services in conjunction
- Ages 6-11
Currency Conga
- Buenaventura Lakes Library – 4pm, Saturday, March 22
- Veterans Memorial Library – St. Cloud Branch – 4:30pm, Wednesday, February 5
- Ages 3-12.
Penny Pinchers’ Party
- Buenaventura Lakes Library – 4:30pm, Wednesday, April 23
- Veterans Memorial Library – St. Cloud Branch – 4:30pm, Wednesday. April 2
- Ages 6-11
Florida Department of Financial Services
CLIMB, Children Learning the Importance of Money Basics -www.myfloridacfo.com/climb/
This financial literacy program is for youth ages 10 and under. This online adventure tells the story of Sammie, the Saving Scottie, through a series of animated videos as he learns the basics of money management.
Finance Your Future - FinanceYourFuture.MyFloridaCFO.com
These online courses strive to be a comprehensive, yet simple overview of various financial topics like banking, budgeting and saving, credit and debt, insurance and financial frauds and scams. These courses are designed for middle and high school students as well as parents, teachers and other adults.
Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida
One of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida’s programs, “Money Matters,” teaches financial literacy through mentorship and real-life scenarios.
Florida Literacy Coalition
The Florida Literacy Coalition offers educators and students access to online resources, webinars, and grants for adult basic education/ESOL classes that seek to integrate literacy and math instruction with financial education.
If you have a financial literacy story, email makeendsmeet@wkmg.com.
