Four everyday activities that can help you teach the value of money to your children

SCHOOL’S out, but summer is still the best time to teach kids some valuable skills. Time at home, plus the high cost of keeping everyone happy, adds up to a great opportunity for passing on budgeting tips. Try some of these everyday activities to make the money maths fun. SUPERMARKET SLEUTH: Take your time walking round the aisles with your children, getting them to find the cheapest version of the things on your shopping list. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Challenge them to compare the prices of similar products to see who can find the best value. Show them how to compare the price per 100g for different products like cereal or meat, so they look beyond the unit price. READ MORE CASH SAVING TIPS If they still want the more expensive or branded item, ask them why. That will get them thinking about whether paying more is really worth it. MEAL MATHS: Give teens £5 and ask them to make a healthy meal for the family — and tell them they can keep the change. They’ll want to find the best deals possible to be able to pocket the leftover cash. Then just hope they’ve picked up some of your cooking skills, too. DAYS OUT ADDITION: Get youngsters to plan a day out, including travel, food and tickets to wherever they want to go. Most read in Money Challenge them to find cheaper ways to pay for each element, whether by switching what they want to do or finding money-off vouchers. For an extra challenge, set them a budget to stick to. MONEY MULTIPLICATION: Will Rainey writes books that teach kids about money and he suggests giving older children £5 and challenging them to make it grow. For example, they could buy something and sell it for more, buy materials to make something to sell, save it in the bank to earn interest or, if appropriate for their age, invest it with guidance. Will, whose new book is called Frankie Fortune, says: “Instead of asking, ‘What can I buy?’, they begin asking, ‘How can I make this grow?’” All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability. Deal of the day Scoville Neverstick five-piece cookware, £34 at direct.asda.com Credit: supplied UPGRADE your pans with the Scoville Neverstick five-piece cookware set down from £68 to £34 at direct.asda.com. SAVE: £34 Cheap treat Pink and green frill cushion covers from Online Home Shop, £1.50 Credit: supplied SMARTEN your sofa with a pair of pink and green frill cushion covers from Online Home Shop, down from £7.50 to £1.50. SAVE: £6 What's new? PRE-ORDER Julia Donaldson’s new book Gruffalo Granny at tgjonesonline.co.uk and you get it for half price – £7.49. There’s also a chance to enter a free draw to win GG-themed goodies. Top swap Habitat transport rug, £40 from Argos Credit: supplied Livarno rug with town map design for £9.99 from Lidl Credit: supplied CAR-MAD kids will love the Habitat transport rug, £40 from Argos, but you can pick up the smaller Livarno rug with town map design for £9.99 from Lidl. SAVE: £30.01 Little helper GET three beauty products for the price of two with a Tesco Clubcard, including Max Factor Lipfinity lipstick, £13. PLAY NOW TO WIN £100 Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning! Comment now