What this is about
Sometimes we share our money with other people. Some examples are birthday presents, helping a friend, or giving to a charity that helps people, animals or the planet. Sharing money is one way we show we care about other people.
Sharing with people we love
The first kind of sharing is giving money or presents to the people we love.
- On a friend's birthday, you might use some pocket money to buy them a present
- You might save up to buy something for Mum, Dad, Grandma or Grandad at Christmas
- You might give a brother or sister some of your sweets even though they're yours
This kind of sharing isn't really about the money — it's about showing someone you care. The £3 toy you bought your friend matters because you thought of them.
Sharing with people we don't know
The second kind of sharing is giving money to people we don't know, who need help.
Some people in the UK and around the world have a really hard time:
- They might not have enough food
- They might not have a warm house in winter
- They might be very ill and can't pay for medicine
- They might be in a country where it's dangerous or there's a war
When lots of people each give a little bit of money, it adds up to enough to help all those people. The groups that collect the money and use it to help are called charities.
Some charities you might know
You might have heard of some of these:
Most years there's a big TV show called Children in Need — you might have seen Pudsey the bear with the spotty eye. People give money during that show, and it goes to help children in the UK who need extra support.
There's also Comic Relief with Red Nose Day, when people do silly things or wear red and give money for charity.
A pot for sharing
Some children have three pots for their money:
- A spend pot for things you want soon
- A save pot for something bigger later
- A share pot for giving
If you get £3 a week pocket money, you might put:
- £1.50 in spend
- £1 in save
- 50p in share
That 50p a week is £26 a year. Enough to make a real difference to a charity.
Once or twice a year, you can give what's in the share pot. Some families pick a charity together. Some let the child choose.
Why sharing feels good
Lots of grown-ups say that giving money or things to other people makes them feel happier than buying things for themselves.
Scientists have looked at this and they think it's true. When you do something kind for someone else, your brain feels good. It's a real feeling, not made up.
You don't share money to feel good. You share because it's a kind thing to do. But the good feeling is a nice extra.
For teachers: curriculum links
- England — PSHE Association KS1 L7 (money), L9 (kindness, community), Citizenship KS1
- England — Maths Y1/Y2 Money
- Wales — Curriculum for Wales Progression Step 1-2 (HWB AoLE)
- Scotland — Curriculum for Excellence HWB 1-13a (caring for others)
- NI — PDMU KS1, Religious Education KS1
Full mapping in the curriculum map.
UK Tax Drag (2026). Sharing money — when and why we give. Ages 5–7 guide. Available at: https://kids.uktaxdrag.co.uk/ages-5-7-sharing-money.html
Curriculum mapping: see UK Financial Education Curriculum Map (Version 1.0).