Teaching Children Aged 8–12 About Charity and Giving: Building Empathy Through Money

Between the ages of 8 and 12, children develop a stronger sense of empathy, fairness, and social justice. It’s the perfect window to introduce the concept of giving—whether that’s through donations, volunteering, or small acts of kindness. But how do you teach charitable values without turning it into a guilt trip or a lecture?

Why Giving Matters for Financial Literacy

Charity isn’t just about kindness—it’s about choice, values, and responsibility, all key parts of a strong financial mindset.

According to research by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), children who engage in giving activities show higher financial awareness, emotional intelligence, and goal-setting behaviour. They’re more likely to value money for what it enables—not just what it buys.

A 2023 Money & Pensions Service report also found that 88% of UK parents believe teaching generosity early helps children make better spending decisions later.

What Charity Looks Like at Ages 8–12

Children in this age group are old enough to:

• Understand basic social issues (homelessness, inequality, environmental needs)

• Manage small sums of money or time

• Grasp the idea of delayed gratification and budgeting for others

  
  

Examples of age-appropriate giving:

• Donating £1 per week from pocket money

• Creating a giving jar (split savings/spending/giving)

• Organising a mini bake sale or sponsored read

• Volunteering time with a parent at a local food bank

• Donating unused toys, books or clothes

📌 TIP: Let your child choose a cause they care about—animals, the environment, local community.

Giving Isn’t Just About Money—Volunteering Matters Too

While financial giving is powerful, it’s important to show children that time, energy, and kindness are equally valuable. In fact, volunteering at this age builds skills that support financial and personal growth in later life.

Children aged 8–12 can:

• Help sort food donations at a local food bank

• Walk dogs at a local animal rescue (with supervision)

• Assist in community clean-up events or garden projects

• Make cards or letters for care homes or hospitals

• Be part of school-led charity drives or eco clubs

According to NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations), children who volunteer with family are significantly more likely to continue volunteering into their teens and adulthood.

Volunteering teaches:

• Responsibility (being on time, completing tasks)

• Teamwork and communication

• Awareness of broader community needs

• Intrinsic motivation—doing something good, not for money or praise

Even small acts like helping a neighbour or tidying up at a local park foster a lifelong mindset of giving back.

How to Build Charity into Pocket Money Routines

A growing number of UK families are teaching giving by structuring allowance with “save, spend, give” jars or digital wallets. Here's a sample breakdown:

Total Weekly Pocket Money	Spend	Save	Give
£5	£2.50	£1.50	£1.00

Apps like RoosterMoney or GoHenry allow children to allocate funds to charity or set up recurring giving goals—even with rewards for consistency.

This instils a sense of routine generosity, not just reactive giving.

Lessons Children Learn Through Giving

Skill or Value	How Charity Reinforces It
Gratitude	Recognising others have less than they do
Financial planning	Budgeting for goals beyond themselves
Decision-making	Choosing who and how to give
Emotional intelligence	Understanding real-world challenges
Community involvement	Feeling part of something bigger

According to CAF (Charities Aid Foundation), 42% of UK children aged 8–15 donated money or time to charity in 2024. Regular exposure to giving helps children build empathy-driven confidence.

Challenges to Watch Out For

Teaching charity can go wrong if:

• It’s framed as obligation, not choice

• Kids feel pressured or guilty for not giving “enough”

• It’s disconnected from their real interests (e.g. forcing donations to causes they don’t understand)

Instead, involve children in the decision-making:

• Let them pick charities

• Visit local events or organisations in person

• Ask them how they think they could help

  
  

Real-Life Examples from UK Parents

“My 10-year-old gives £1 to the animal shelter every time he saves £10. It’s his idea—we just encourage it.” – Priya, Birmingham“Our twins host a ‘swap-and-donate’ every school term with friends. It’s fun and helps declutter too.” – James, Edinburgh

Small efforts like these foster a habit of generosity without feeling transactional.

Resources and Tools to Support Giving

• RoosterMoney Giving Pot – Create digital charity goals

• National Trust or WWF Memberships – Gifts that give back

• Local volunteering groups (Age UK, FoodCycle, church drives)

• CAF Charity Finder – Let children search causes by theme (cafonline.org)

  
  

Final Thoughts

Introducing charity between ages 8–12 sets the tone for a balanced, thoughtful relationship with money. It teaches kids that finances aren’t just about personal gain—they’re about impact. Whether it’s donating 50p, giving time, or just noticing someone else’s need, small lessons now shape lifelong behaviours.

Encourage questions. Celebrate small acts. And let giving be joyful—not just dutiful.

Ready to Level Up Their Financial Skills?

📘 Book a Smartmonies lesson today and help your child begin building essential financial skills for life.

🎁 Use code SMARTSAVER and get £10 off your first session!