Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Money Words Word Search: Free Printable Game for Year 5
- ForYear 5
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Money Words Word Search is a free printable game for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10). Children hunt through a grid of letters for ten money words, such as words about earning, spending and saving. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children get a grid of letters and a list of ten money words to find. They read each word carefully, hunt for it in the grid and cross it off the list once it is found. The words are all ones children meet in everyday talk about money. The game rewards careful looking, and it opens up chances to talk about what each word means.
- BUDGET
- SAVINGS
- INCOME
- INTEREST
- PROFIT
- EARN
- BANK
- SPEND
- PRICE
- DEBT
Why learn money words?
Money is part of everyday life, and children start noticing it early. They see prices in shops, hear adults talk about bills and may get pocket money of their own. By Year 5, many children are ready to move from counting coins to talking about money ideas. Knowing the right words makes those conversations clearer and less worrying.
Financial education sits within PSHE in Key Stage 2, alongside maths. Words such as budget, income and interest are easy to skim past without really knowing them. A word search slows children down. They have to look at every letter, so they notice spellings, and it gives you a natural moment to ask what a word means.
Money facts for children
- In the UK, money is counted in pounds and pence, and the pound sign looks like this: £.
- There are 100 pence in one pound.
- A bank is a place that keeps money safe for people and businesses.
- Many adults earn money by doing a job and being paid for it.
- A budget is a plan that helps people decide how much to spend and how much to keep.
Skills and curriculum link
- Money vocabulary
- Spelling
- Visual searching
- Careful reading
- Talking about meaning
Ideas to help you talk about money words
- Spending and savingMoney can be spent now or kept for later. Many families talk about this choice when they plan a trip or a treat.
- Where money comes fromAdults often get money from work, and children may get pocket money or gifts. Talking about where it comes from helps children see that money is limited.
- Planning aheadA plan for money helps people choose what matters most. You can try a small plan together, such as for a family day out.
- Prices differThe same item can cost different amounts in different shops. Comparing prices is a useful everyday habit.
Key words
- BudgetA plan for how much money to spend and how much to keep.
- IncomeMoney that comes in, such as wages or pocket money.
- SavingsMoney you keep for later instead of spending it now.
- InterestExtra money a bank may pay you for keeping money with it. It can also be extra money you pay back when you borrow.
- ProfitThe money left over when the cost of making or buying something is taken away from the money you get for selling it.
- DebtMoney that a person owes to someone else.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the word list together. Ask your child to say each word aloud and point to any they are not sure about.
- Look for the long words first, as they stand out in the grid. Then talk about the meaning of two words.
- Cross off each word as it is found. When the list is done, check against the answers on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say each word out loud, then find its first letter in the grid. Run a finger along the row or column to check the next letters. Cross each word off the list as you find it. Try a few words, then take a break.
To stretch confident children
Write a sentence for each word, using it correctly. Then try explaining two of the words to someone younger, without using the word itself. You could also put the words in alphabetical order.
Make it a game
Race a friend or a grown up. Each player uses a different coloured pencil, so you can see who found what. Start together and cross words off as you spot them. The player who finds all ten first wins.
Talk about it
- Which word did you find first, and why do you think it stood out?
- Can you explain what a budget is in your own words?
- What is the difference between earning money and saving money?
- Why might someone choose to save rather than spend?
- Which word on the list was new to you, or the hardest to explain?
- If you had a small amount of money to plan, what would you put in your budget?
Take it off the page
Shop role play
Set up a pretend shop with household items and price labels. Take turns being the shopper and the shopkeeper. Use the money words as you play.
Family budget chat
Plan a small treat together, such as a picnic. Decide what to buy and how much to spend. Write a short list, and say which words from the sheet fit.
Word cards
Write each money word on a small card. Turn them face down and take turns picking one. The player must say what it means or use it in a sentence.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Ask what each word means as they find it. If they are unsure, give a simple example from home, such as pocket money or a shopping list.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary or early finisher task during financial education in PSHE. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas, so it works well with mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider plan for PSHE or maths. It pairs well with real shopping, saving jars and everyday talk about prices. Print it again for brothers and sisters, or for a quick revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits
Children usually meet money in maths from an early age, when they learn to recognise coins and notes and use pounds and pence. By Year 5, they can start to talk about wider ideas such as earning, saving and planning. This sheet helps them build the words they need.
Next, children can use these words in real tasks. They might make a simple budget, compare prices or talk about why people save. In Year 6, they can build on this with more detailed financial education and problem solving in maths.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Money Words Word Search for?
It is written for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10), in Key Stage 2. Younger children may enjoy it with help, and older children can use it as a quick warm up before a longer money topic.
- What will children practise?
Children practise reading and spelling key money words. They also search carefully and talk about meaning. This supports the financial education part of KS2 PSHE and links with maths and English.
- Do the answers come with the sheet?
Yes. Page 2 is for the grown-up and includes the answers. It also has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
- What if my child finds it too hard?
Ask them to say each word aloud and cross it off as they find it. Start with a few words only. Look for the longer words first, as they are often easier to spot.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or use it for revision a few weeks later.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 helps with support and stretch.
- Do I need colour printing or a screen?
No. It is a screen free printable that needs only paper and a pencil. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, so it suits quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.