Building block activities resource list
Our youth financial education activities occasionally include links to helpful tools, information, and materials from other agencies and organizations. We’ve organized these resources in one place so you can easily explore them for your classroom teaching and learning.
To make it easy for you to find specific materials and tools, we’ve organized these resources so you can search by the MyMoney Five principles for managing money – Earn, Save and Invest, Protect, Spend, and Borrow.
Earn
Website from the U.S. Department of Labor
This website connects career seekers, employers, and education partners with apprenticeship resources.
CareerOneStop: Your Source for Career Exploration, Training & Jobs
Website from the Department of Labor
This website provides a range of resources and tools related to careers, education, and training.
CareerOneStop: Occupation Profile
Resource from the Department of Labor
Learn details about any occupation, including what you might do on the job, how much you might earn, and how much education or training you might need.
Resource from the Department of Labor
This webpage links to resources related to salaries and wages for hundreds of occupations.
Resource from the Department of Labor
You can use this tool to research typical pay for hundreds of occupations.
Consumer.gov: Understanding Your Paycheck
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage explains paychecks, pay stubs, and options for depositing or cashing paychecks.
Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws
Resource from the Department of Labor
This webpage includes an interactive map that lets you click on any state to learn about applicable minimum wage laws.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Minimum Wage Poster
Poster from the Department of Labor
This poster explains key minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Video from Sesame Street in Communities
This video for young children uses a fun song to describe different types of jobs and the importance of work.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Home
Resource from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Provides information on what workers do; the work environment; education, training, and other qualifications; pay; the job outlook; information on state and area data; similar occupations; and sources of additional information, for hundreds of occupational profiles, covering most jobs in the economy.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Occupation Finder
Resource from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Search for occupations by pay, education level, projected number of new jobs, and other factors.
Resource from the Department of Labor
This online tool helps people find out what their interests are and decide what kinds of careers to explore.
Article from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
This article describes the gig economy and some of its benefits and drawbacks.
Resource from the Department of Labor
This webpage offers information and resources on labor laws for youth, primarily teens age 14-18.
Resource from the College Board
This resource lets you search for colleges and provides information on college costs, financial aid, and careers.
College Board: BigFuture: Community College FAQs
Resource from the College Board
This webpage provides answers to frequently asked questions about community college.
Website from the College Board
The College Board offers a range of resources for planning and paying for college.
College Board: Big Future: Types of Colleges
Resource from the College Board
This webpage offers basic information about types of colleges, such as the differences between a college and a university and between public and private colleges.
Department of Education: College Scorecard
Website from the Department of Education
The College Scorecard lets you research and compare colleges, universities, and training institutions based on location, field of study, average annual costs, graduation rates, and a range of other factors.
Resource from the Department of Education
The Federal Student Aid Estimator is a simple eligibility estimator tool that can help you plan when it comes to paying for college. This tool gives you a free estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. You must use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for aid once you’ve decided to apply for admission and attend college.
Social Security Administration: Home
Website from the Social Security Administration
Social Security has provided financial protection for our nation's people for more than 80 years. With retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Social Security is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in our nation's history.
Internal Revenue Service: Tax Tutorial on Payroll Taxes
Resource from the Internal Revenue Service
This interactive tutorial explains payroll taxes and income tax withholding.
Intuit: TurboTax Teacher Toolkit
Resources from Intuit
These activities and real-life simulations give students hands-on experience with taxes.
Resource from USA.gov
Find answers to top questions about filing federal income tax, paying, getting refunds, and more.
Consumer.gov: Consumer Protection Basics
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
Includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
USA.gov: Guide to government services and information
Website from USA.gov
USA.gov is your online guide to government information and services.
U.S. Mint's H.I.P. Pocket Change: Coins
Resource from the U.S. Mint
This webpage offers kid-friendly information on the parts of each U.S. coin, what the coins are made of, and how they circulate. The resource also includes videos on the U.S. Mint’s coin-making process and on what the U.S. Mint does.
U.S. Currency Education Program's Currency Academy
Resource from the U.S. Mint
This digital learning experience lets young audiences discover how currency is used, observe artistic concepts found in currency, learn about how money works, and compare elements of the natural world to the special features found on currency.
Save & Invest
CareerOneStop: Scholarship Finder
Resource from the Department of Labor
Use this tool to search thousands of scholarships, fellowships, grants, loans, and other financial aid award opportunities.
College Board: Big Future: Types of Colleges
Resource from the College Board
This webpage offers basic information about types of colleges, such as the differences between a college and a university and between public and private colleges.
Resource from the Department of Education
The Federal Student Aid Estimator is a simple eligibility estimator tool that can help you plan when it comes to paying for college. This tool gives you a free estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. You must use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for aid once you’ve decided to apply for admission and attend college.
Website from the Department of Education
Get information about preparing for college, types of federal aid, how to apply for aid using the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA); and your loan repayment options.
Federal Student Aid: Types of Financial Aid
Resource from the Department of Education
This webpage lists student aid options including grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships.
Types of Federal Student Aid (video)
Video from the Department of Education
If you need help paying for college or career school, the Office of Federal Student Aid can assist you with getting the money you need. Check out this video to learn about grants, loans, and work-study jobs and how they can help fund your education.
How Compound Interest Boosts Savings (Video)
Video from the Financial Literacy Center (RAND Corp., Dartmouth, Wharton)
This video explains how fast assets and debt grow to help you appreciate the importance of starting to save early—and paying off debt quickly.
Securities and Exchange Commission: Compound Interest Calculator
Resource from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Use this calculator to determine how much your money can grow using the power of compound interest.
Securities and Exchange Commission: Crypto Assets
Resource from the Securities and Exchange Commission
This webpage offers resources to help you better understand cryptocurrency and other types of virtual currencies.
Securities and Exchange Commission: Learn About Investing
Website from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
A site to help investors at all experience levels understand how to invest wisely and avoid fraud.
Securities and Exchange Commission: Investment Products
Resource from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
This webpage offers information on a wide variety of investment products that can help you achieve your financial goals.
Thrift Savings Plan: Making contributions
Resource managed by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
The Thrift Savings Plan is a retirement savings and investment plan for members of the military and federal government employees. They can use this calculator to plan and manage their savings.
Consumer.gov: Consumer Protection Basics
Website from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
Booklet from the Wyoming Retirement System and the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement
This booklet tells a story about a young girl who meets future versions of herself and sees how saving pays off throughout her lifetime. The story also is available as a video .
Protect
Annual Credit Report: Source for free credit reports
Website from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
This is the only source to get free credit reports authorized by federal law. This law requires each of the three largest consumer credit reporting agencies to give you a free copy of your credit report every 12 months.
FTC Consumer Information: Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage offers information about what to do if your credit, ATM, or debit card is lost or stolen.
Resource from USA.gov
Find government grants, loans, and unclaimed money. Learn about taxes. Get credit reports and scores.
Consumer.gov: Avoiding Identity Theft
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage explains what identity theft is and what to do if it happens to you.
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
An interactive map of fraud reports by state, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Federal Trade Commission: Data Breach Response: A Guide for Business
Webpage from the Federal Trade Commission
This resource explains what businesses should do if they experience a data breach.
Federal Trade Commission: Endorsement Guides
Resources from the Federal Trade Commission
These guides require businesses to let people know if endorsements are paid for by the business and if there’s a connection between the person providing the endorsement and the business.
Federal Trade Commission: How to Block Unwanted Calls
Article from the Federal Trade Commission
This resource describes ways to block calls from scammers on your cell phone, landline, or phone that makes calls over the internet (VoIP).
Federal Trade Commission: Identity Theft
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process.
Federal Trade Commission: National Do Not Call Registry
Webpage from the Federal Trade Commission
This resource allows you register your phone number so you can block telemarketing calls.
Federal Trade Commission: Online Shopping Security Tips
Video from the Federal Trade Commission
This resource offers tips on buying things and keeping your credit card safe online.
Federal Trade Commission: Recovering from Identity Theft
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage lists resources to learn about identify theft and what to do if you suspect you are the victim of identity theft.
Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Webpage from the Federal Trade Commission
You can use this resource to report fraud, scams, and bad business practices.
Federal Trade Commission: Truth in Advertising
Webpage from the Federal Trade Commission
This resource explains how the Federal Trade Commission enforces truth-in-advertising laws.
Internal Revenue Service: Identity Theft Central
Resource from the Internal Revenue Service
This resource provides guidance on how to detect and report tax-related fraud.
USA.gov: Protecting Against Identity Theft
Resource from USA.gov
This webpage explains identity theft and offers information on how to protect yourself against it and report it. It also includes information on medical identity theft.
Securities and Exchange Commission: Learn About Investing
Website from the Securities and Exchange Commission
A site to help investors at all experience levels understand how to invest wisely and avoid fraud.
Department of Transportation: About DOT
Website from the Department of Transportation
DOT is responsible for planning and coordinating federal transportation projects. It also sets safety regulations for all major modes of transportation.
Insurance Information Institute: Background On: Teen Drivers
Resource from the Insurance Information Institute
This webpage provides information about teen driving, including related laws and safety issues.
Federal Trade Commission: What to Know About Identity Theft
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
This webpage offers information about keeping your Social Security number and other personal information secure.
Social Security Information for Educators
Resource from the Social Security Administration
This webpage provides educators with a toolkit full of the information and resources to develop engaging and informative lessons on Social Security and the importance of planning for the future.
Consumer.gov: Consumer Protection Basics
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
Consumer.gov includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
Federal Trade Commission: About FTC
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting complaints and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: What We Do
Website from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The FDIC is an independent agency created by Congress to secure public confidence in U.S. financial systems. They do this by insuring bank deposits, monitoring and managing risks, and limiting the impact of bank failure on the economy.
Federal Emergency Management Agency: About FEMA
Website from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made.
National Credit Union Administration: About NCUA
Website from the National Credit Union Administration
NCUA is an independent federal agency that insures deposits at federally insured credit unions, protects the members who own credit unions, and charters and regulates federal credit unions.
Spend
Department of Labor: Minimum Wage
Resource from the Department of Labor
This webpage includes links to resources covering the minimum wage and wage laws.
Energy Information Administration: Average Monthly Electricity Prices
Resource from the U.S. Energy Information Administration
This table lists average monthly electricity prices by region and state.
Resource from Fair Isaac Corporation
This tool lets you get an estimated credit score for free by answering questions.
Resources from Intuit
These activities and simulations help students with money management skills such as budgeting, saving, analyzing spending habits, and comparing credit cards.
"Make a straw rocket" instructions
Resource from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
This resource provides instructions and a template for building a straw rocket. NASA also offers a video on building the rocket and modifying it to make it fly farther.
CareerOneStop: Scholarship Finder
Resource from the Department of Labor
Use this tool to search thousands of scholarships, fellowships, grants, loans, and other financial aid award opportunities.
Website from The College Board
The College Board offers a range of resources for planning and paying for college.
College Board: Big Future: Types of Colleges
Resource from the College Board
This webpage offers basic information about types of colleges, such as the differences between a college and a university and between public and private colleges.
Department of Education: College Scorecard
Website from the Department of Education
The College Scorecard lets you research and compare colleges, universities, and training institutions based on location, field of study, average annual costs, graduation rates, and a range of other factors.
Resource from the Department of Education
This form is designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid.
Resource from the Department of Education
The Federal Student Aid Estimator is a simple eligibility estimator tool that can help you plan when it comes to paying for college. This tool gives you a free estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. You must use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for aid once you’ve decided to apply for admission and attend college.
Website from the Department of Education
Get information about preparing for college, types of federal aid, how to apply for aid using the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA); and your loan repayment options.
Resource from the Department of Education
Learn about the grant programs that are available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal Student Aid: Loan Simulator (formerly “Repayment Estimator”)
Resource from the Department of Education
The Loan Simulator is a tool to help you make decisions about your student loans. Use it to find a repayment plan that meets your needs and goals or to decide whether to consolidate.
Federal Student Aid: Types of Financial Aid
Resource from the Department of Education
This webpage lists student aid options including grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships.
Resource from FinAid: The SmartStudent guide to financial aid
This calculator computes an estimate of the size of your monthly loan payments and the annual salary required to manage them without too much financial difficulty.
Resource from FinAid: The SmartStudent guide to financial aid
This calculator shows the impact of making regular extra payments on a loan. It shows the interest savings and the number of payments saved from the repayment schedule as compared with a regular loan that has no prepayment.
Bureau of the Fiscal Service: Foreign Exchange Rates
Resource from the Department of the Treasury
This webpage lists the exchange rates of U.S. dollars for various foreign currencies. The page is updated quarterly.
Resource from Charity Navigator
This search tool provides information and ratings on charities.
Resource from CharityWatch
This search tool provides information and ratings on charities.
Combined Federal Campaign’s “Find a charity” site
Website from the Office of Personnel Management
This resource helps people find information about charities based on the type of charity, location, and other criteria.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) Inflation Calculator
Resource from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The CPI Inflation Calculator uses the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) U.S. city average series for all items, not seasonally adjusted. This data represents changes in the prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households.
Fed FAQ: What is Inflation? (video)
Video from the Federal Reserve
This video covers what inflation is and how the Federal Reserve evaluates changes in the rate of inflation.
Federal Reserve: What is inflation?
Resource from the Federal Reserve
This webpage explains what inflation is and how the Federal Reserve evaluates changes in the rate of inflation.
Social Security Administration: Avoid Identity Theft: Protect Social Security Numbers
Resource from the Social Security Administration
This webpage lists ways organizations can protect Social Security numbers and links to resources for preventing theft of Social Security numbers.
Social Security Administration Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
Resource from the Social Security Administration
This webpage hosts downloadable PSAs that educate the public about Social Security, including Social Security scams.
Intuit: TurboTax Teacher Toolkit
Resources from Intuit
These activities and real-life simulations give students hands-on experience with taxes.
Consumer.gov: Consumer Protection Basics
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
Consumer.gov includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
HUD: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Complaints
Resource from the Department of Housing and Urban Development
You can use this webpage to report suspected violations of the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal for lenders to discriminate against home buyers based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability.
Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America
Resource managed by the University of Richmond
This resource includes an interactive map and data that illustrate the history and impact of redlining.
Video from the Public Broadcasting System
This short video describes the now-illegal practice of redlining and its ongoing impact.
U.S. Mint's H.I.P. Pocket Change: Coins
Resource from the U.S. Mint
This webpage offers kid-friendly information on the parts of each U.S. coin, what the coins are made of, and how they circulate. The resource also includes videos on the U.S. Mint’s coin-making process and on what the U.S. Mint does.
U.S. Currency Education Program's Currency Academy
Resource from the U.S. Mint
This digital learning experience lets young audiences discover how currency is used, observe artistic concepts found in currency, learn about how money works, and compare elements of the natural world to the special features found on currency.
Borrow
CareerOneStop: Scholarship Finder
Resource from the Department of Labor
Use this tool to search thousands of scholarships, fellowships, grants, loans, and other financial aid award opportunities.
College Board: BigFuture: Community College FAQs
Resource from the College Board
This webpage provides answers to frequently asked questions about community college.
College Board: Big Future: Types of Colleges
Resource from the College Board
This webpage offers basic information about types of colleges, such as the differences between a college and a university and between public and private colleges.
Website from the Department of Education
Get information about preparing for college, types of federal aid, how to apply for aid using the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA); and your loan repayment options.
Federal Student Aid: Eligibility Requirements
Resource from the Department of Education
This webpage lists the eligibility criteria for federal student aid (grants, work-study, and loans).
Resource from the Department of Education
The Federal Student Aid Estimator is a simple eligibility estimator tool that can help you plan when it comes to paying for college. This tool gives you a free estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. You must use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for aid once you’ve decided to apply for admission and attend college.
Resource from the Department of Education
Learn about the grant programs that are available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal Student Aid: Loan Simulator (formerly “Repayment Estimator”)
Resource from the Department of Education
The Loan Simulator is a tool to help you make decisions about your student loans. Use it to find a repayment plan that meets your needs and goals or to decide whether to consolidate.
Federal Student Aid: Types of Financial Aid
Resource from the Department of Education
This form is designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid.
FinAid: Loan Payment Calculator
Resource from FinAid: The SmartStudent guide to financial aid
This calculator computes an estimate of the size of your monthly loan payments and the annual salary required to manage them without too much financial difficulty.
Resource from FinAid: The SmartStudent guide to financial aid
This calculator shows the impact of making regular extra payments on a loan. It shows the interest savings and the number of payments saved from the repayment schedule as compared with a regular loan that has no prepayment.
Use this CFPB tool throughout your homebuying process to explore the range of mortgage interest rates you can expect to receive. See how your credit score, loan type, home price, and down payment amount can affect your rate. Knowing your options and what to expect helps ensure that you get a mortgage that is right for you. Check back often -- the rates in the tool are updated every Wednesday and Friday.
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage describes what credit is and how to use it.
Resource from Fair Isaac Corporation
This tool lets you get an estimated credit score for free by answering questions.
FTC Consumer Information: Free Credit Freezes
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This blog post explains free credit freezes and how to use them.
FTC Consumer Information: Minimum Payments on Credit Cards (video)
Video from the Federal Trade Commission
This video shows what happens when someone makes just the minimum payment on a credit card balance.
Resources from Intuit
These activities and simulations help students with money management skills such as budgeting, saving, analyzing spending habits, and comparing credit cards.
Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America
Resource managed by the University of Richmond
This resource includes an interactive map and data that illustrate the history and impact of redlining.
MyCreditUnion: Interactive Credit Card Statement
Resource from the National Credit Union Administration
Use this interactive credit card statement to familiarize yourself with the terms and general information commonly included on a real credit card statement.
Video from the Public Broadcasting System
This short video describes the now-illegal practice of redlining and its ongoing impact.
Resource from USA.gov
Find government grants, loans, and unclaimed money. Learn about taxes. Get credit reports and scores.
Resource from Fair Isaac Corporation
This webpage explains FICO scores and why they are important.
Consumer.gov: Consumer Protection Basics
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
Consumer.gov includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Complaints
Resource from the Department of Housing and Urban Development
You can use this webpage to report suspected violations of the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal for lenders to discriminate against home buyers based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability.
National Credit Union Association:My Credit Union
Website from the National Credit Union Administration
The National Credit Union Administration’s consumer protection website MyCreditUnion.gov and its financial literacy microsite, World of Cents , offer a variety of educational information, resources, and articles designed to help individuals make smarter financial decisions.
Legal disclaimer
The content on this page provides general consumer information. It is not legal advice or regulatory guidance. The CFPB updates this information periodically. This information may include links or references to third-party resources or content. We do not endorse the third-party or guarantee the accuracy of this third-party information. There may be other resources that also serve your needs.