Cash used to do the teaching. You handed over a five-dollar bill, watched it leave your hand, and the lesson was instant: when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Today’s kids live in a different world. A tap, a swipe, maybe a phone hovering near a reader, and the purchase is done. There’s no pile of bills getting smaller. No loose change clinking in a jar. For a lot of kids, spending with a debit card feels closer to a video game than handling real money.
And when money feels like a game, overspending is easy.
Meet the Debit Card Maze
We’ve partnered with My First Nest Egg on something your family can print today: a free Debit Card Maze that turns smart money choices into an adventure.
Your child guides a character through a jungle path, making real decisions along the way. Do you share your PIN with a friend? Do you use your credit union’s ATM or one that charges a fee? You just lost your card. Do you report it right away? Every choice leads somewhere. Some paths end in extra fees or a stolen PIN. The smart ones end safely in the Safe Spending Zone.
It looks like a game. The lessons are real.
Four Habits Worth Learning Early
The maze reinforces the same four habits every responsible cardholder relies on:
- Keep your PIN private. Not even a best friend should know it.
- Use your credit union’s ATM when you can. Avoiding fees is a money skill.
- Spend only what you have. A debit card isn’t free money. It’s money already sitting in your account.
- Report a lost card right away. Fast action protects the account behind the card.
When children practice these choices in a low-stakes, playful setting, the habits stick. They remember the maze. More importantly, they remember why the choices mattered.
Two Easy Ways to Get Yours
We want this in your hands. No cost, no email sign-up, no catch.
- Download it free here and print at home. It’s a great rainy-Saturday activity or something to toss in the car for your next road trip!
- Stop by any branch to pick up a printed copy.
When Your Child Is Ready for the Real Thing
The maze is a starting point. When your child is ready to practice these habits with actual dollars, we’d love to help you open a kids club savings account together. It gives them a safe place to save, track, and (when the time is right) spend, with you still right alongside them.
Teaching kids about money isn’t one big conversation. It’s a string of small moments, small wins, and the right tools at the right time. We’re glad to be part of yours.