Average Pocket Money by Age in the UK

Pocket money is often one of the first ways children start to learn about money in real life. From choosing how to spend their money to working towards a savings goal, even a small amount can help build confidence and good habits early on. 

Looking at the average pocket money by age in the UK can give you a useful benchmark, but the right amount will always depend on your child, your household, and what you want them to learn.

Knowledge Round-Up

• The average pocket money UK children receive is around £3–£4 per week

• The average pocket money by age increases gradually as children get older

• A regular weekly pocket money routine helps children manage their money

• Many families combine pocket money with tasks to earn money

• Teaching spending and savings early supports long-term financial habits

Average Pocket Money by Age

There’s no official rulebook when it comes to child pocket money, but UK data does show a clear trend: the older children get, the more they tend to receive. Younger children might start with just a few pounds a week, while teenagers often manage a bit more as their independence grows.

Figures from the NatWest Rooster Pocket Money Index 2025

How Much Pocket Money Should You Give?

There’s no perfect number, and that’s the honest answer. Instead of focusing only on the amount, it’s more useful to think about what the money is for.

Is it just for treats? Should they be saving towards something? Do you want them to learn to budget across the week? Once you’re clear on that, the number becomes much easier to decide. 

For some families, a consistent £3 a week works perfectly. For others, it might be higher, especially if the child is expected to cover more of their own spending. The key thing is consistency. A regular weekly pocket money routine gives children the chance to practise managing their money again and again.

Benefits of Pocket Money

There are clear benefits of pocket money, especially when it’s introduced as part of a wider approach to financial education.

Over time, it can help children:

• Understand how money works in everyday situations

• Make choices about how they spend their money

• Learn the difference between spending now and saving for later

• Build habits around spending and savings

• Develop patience through delayed gratification

Importantly, pocket money gives children a safe space to make mistakes. Spending all their money too quickly or regretting a purchase can be valuable lessons when the stakes are low.

How to Explain Saving Money to a Child

If you’re trying to teach your kids how to save, keeping things simple tends to work best.

At a young age, visual tools can make a big difference. Using piggy banks or jars helps children see their money grow, which makes the concept of saving more real.

You can introduce:

• A pot for spending

• A pot for saving

From there, set a clear saving goal, such as a toy or game. This gives purpose to saving and helps children understand why they might choose not to spend straight away.

Reasons Why Pocket Money Should Be Earned

Pocket money can be more powerful when children have the chance to earn it. It helps them connect effort with reward, understand the value of money, and think twice before spending it all straight away.

The key is balance. Everyday jobs, like putting clothes away or tidying up after themselves, can stay as normal responsibilities. Bigger or extra tasks can become ways to earn a little more

Popular ways children earn pocket money include:

Figures from the NatWest Rooster Pocket Money Index 2025

Saving Goals Make Pocket Money Click

Saving pocket money helps children see that money can do more than buy something now, it can build towards something better. NatWest Rooster Money found that kids kept £30.38 over the year. Younger children were more likely to save, with six-year-olds keeping 31.4% of their income.

Around 54% of children’s savings were linked to a clear target, like a computer game, holiday money or something special they wanted. That makes saving feel less boring and more rewarding. It turns pocket money into a simple lesson in patience, planning and money confidence.

Ready for Their First Savings Account?

Pocket money is a great starting point, but as children get older, it can help to take things one step further. Opening a kids' savings account or children’s bank account can make managing money feel more real. Instead of just coins or cash, children can start to see how money moves, grows, and is tracked over time.

For older children, having their own account can also introduce new concepts, like checking balances, using a prepaid card, or saving regularly. If your child is starting to build good habits with pocket money, it could be the right time to explore kids' savings accounts or bank accounts designed for children and help them take the next step.

CreditKnowledge is a credit broker, not a lender.

Editorial Disclaimer: This content is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or any other company. This article has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these organisations. NB: The information on this page does not constitute financial advice, please do your own research to ensure that the product/service is right for your individual circumstances.