What you need:
- clean, empty plastic or glass jars with lids
- tissue paper in assorted colors
- tempera paint
- paintbrush
- glue
- scissors
- electrical tape
- stickers
What to do:
- Cut the tissue paper into various shapes and sizes. What shapes can your child identify?
- Paint slightly watered-down glue on the sides of the jar and attach the tissue paper.
- Alternatively, use tempera paint directly on the jar or on the tissue paper. You can also attach stickers. As you work on the bank, talk with your child about savings. Has she ever been to a bank? Why do people have savings accounts?
- Make a slot in the lid of the jar using a hammer and screwdriver (for a metal lid) or an Exacto blade (for a plastic lid) — adults only! Hammer down any sharp edges and cover with electrical tape.
- To extend the activity, make different banks for pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.
- Empty the banks regularly. You and your child can count the coins and add up their value.