Saving money is boring. Honestly, if you tell a seven-year-old about compound interest or high-yield savings accounts, their eyes will glaze over faster than a donut. But give them a physical object they built themselves? That changes everything. Understanding how to make a piggy bank isn't just a craft project; it's a tactile lesson in delayed gratification that digital banking apps simply cannot replicate.
I remember my first one. It wasn't even a pig. It was a coffee tin with a jagged hole cut in the plastic lid. Every time a nickel hit the bottom, it made a satisfying thwack. That sound is the hook. In a world of invisible digital transactions, the weight of a growing jar of coins provides a psychological feedback loop that experts like David Owen, author of The First National Bank of Dad, argue is essential for financial literacy.
The psychology of the physical "clink"
Most people think a piggy bank is just a container. It’s not. It’s a visualization tool. When kids see the level of coins rising through a glass jar or feel the weight of a papier-mâché pig increasing, they are witnessing growth in real-time. This is what behavioral economists call "salience." If money is visible, it’s more "real."
We live in a world where "tapping" a card feels like nothing. Making a piggy bank forces a pause. You have to decide: do I spend this dollar on a candy bar now, or do I drop it into the slot?
The papier-mâché method (the classic way)
If you want to go the traditional route, you’re going to get messy. You’ll need a balloon, some old newspapers, and a mixture of flour and water. It's a bit gross. Kids usually love that.
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First, blow up the balloon to the size you want your pig to be. Don't overinflate it or it might pop mid-build, which is a tragedy. Mix one part flour with two parts water until it’s the consistency of thick glue. Dip strips of newspaper into the goo and layer them over the balloon. You need at least three layers. If you do one, it’ll be flimsy. Four or five layers make it feel like a tank.
Leave a small area at the top—this will be your coin slot later. Or, you can cover the whole thing and cut the slot once it's dry. drying takes forever. Seriously, give it 24 to 48 hours. If you paint it while it's damp, it will mold. Nobody wants a moldy pig. For the legs, you can hot-glue four egg carton cups or even old corks to the bottom. It gives the pig character.
Why the "no-break" rule is a mistake
There’s a common trope that you must have to break a piggy bank to get the money out. The idea is that the "destruction" makes the spending a big, intentional event. While that’s fine for a one-time goal, it's actually kinda counterproductive for long-term habits.
If a child has to smash their hard work to buy a LEGO set, they might feel a sense of loss that outweighs the joy of the purchase. Instead, consider using a wide-mouth mason jar with a slotted lid. Or, if you’re doing the papier-mâché version, cut a circular "cleanout" hole at the bottom and plug it with a rubber stopper from a hardware store. This allows the bank to be a tool that lives through multiple "savings cycles."
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Modern twists on the old jar
Maybe you don't want flour paste all over your kitchen table. I get it. You can repurpose almost anything.
- The Pringles Can: Tall, sturdy, and already has a lid. Just wrap it in construction paper.
- The Shadow Box: These are great because one side is glass. You can see the money pile up against a background image of what you’re saving for, like a picture of Disney World or a new bike.
- The "Three-Part" System: This is a method popularized by financial experts where you make three separate banks labeled "Spend," "Save," and "Give." It teaches allocation rather than just hoarding.
Materials that actually last
Don't use flimsy cereal boxes. They collapse. If you're wondering how to make a piggy bank that actually survives a year on a shelf, look for heavy-duty plastics or thick cardboard. A cleaned-out 2-liter soda bottle is surprisingly durable. You can lay it on its side, cut a slot in the middle, and use the cap as the "nose." It’s basically pre-shaped like a pig anyway.
Use acrylic paint rather than washable markers. Markers smudge the second a sweaty palm touches the bank. Acrylic stays vibrant and handles the "wear and tear" of being hauled around the house. If you’re using a glass jar, use glass-specific markers or even vinyl stickers.
The "Save, Spend, Share" philosophy
One of the best ways to utilize a homemade bank is to integrate it into a "commission" system rather than a flat allowance. Instead of just giving money for existing, give it for specific tasks. This reinforces the "work-reward" connection.
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Research from the University of Arizona's Take Charge America Institute suggests that children who handle physical money early on are better at budgeting in their twenties. When they make their own bank, they take ownership of the process. It's not just "Mom’s jar"; it’s "The bank I built."
Common pitfalls to avoid
- The Slot Size: People always make the slot too small. A quarter is bigger than you think. Make it at least 1.5 inches long and a quarter-inch wide.
- Weight Distribution: If you put the legs too close together, the bank will tip over once it gets half-full. Space them out wide.
- The "Hidden" Slot: Don't put the slot in a place that’s hard to reach. It should be the most accessible part of the bank.
Moving beyond the pig
While we call it a "piggy" bank, the shape doesn't matter. In fact, if your kid is into space, make a rocket out of a mailing tube. If they love Minecraft, a square box painted like a Creeper is way more motivating. The goal is to make the object something they actually want to look at every day.
The real secret to how to make a piggy bank work is the consistency of the "deposit ceremony." Make it a big deal. When they get a dollar, have them drop it in and listen for the sound. Talk about how much closer they are to their goal. It’s that small, repeatable action that builds the "saving muscle."
Actionable steps for your first build
Stop overthinking the design and just start. Grab a container from the recycling bin—a plastic milk jug or a sturdy cardboard box works perfectly. Cut a slot in the top using a utility knife (this is definitely a "grown-up" job). Let the child take total control of the decoration. Use glitter, stickers, paint, or even fabric scraps.
Once the bank is finished, set a "Minimum Goal." Don't just save indefinitely. Decide that once the bank hits the "halfway" mark, you’ll take a trip to the store to look at what they’re saving for. This keeps the motivation high. When the bank is finally full, count the money together. Sort it into piles of five or ten. This turns the "end" of the saving process into a math lesson and a celebration. Then, immediately start the next round. The habit is more valuable than the amount saved.