You might be banking on your son's photographic memory or your daughter's perfect aim with that spoon of mashed peas, but even scholarships won't pay all their bills. So we've rounded up our favorite banks to teach your little spenders how to sock it away for a rainy day. — Jeanne Sager
Earthgirl Pottery: Farmyard Friend Banks — $75
Next time you start to say you feel like a pig, stop and think about these whimsical banks by artist Jill Wiener. Right down to their red-painted toenails, these pigs are the height of glamour. Handmade, the banks can be customized for a one-of-a-kind baby shower gift or thrown on her potter's wheel in the shape of a cow, elephant or your child's favorite creature of the day. Our favorite touch? The real piece of cork at the base - putting a stopper on your saving woes.
Get them at Earthgirl Pottery.
Piggy Banks: Runners-Up
Present Time: Money Bank Pig Wall Clock — $23.95
If you thought you'd start saving when pigs flew, help the kids get started with this piggy bank that hangs on their wall. From the Dutch home design company Present Time, this retro clock has the face of a pig and a slot to hide the coins. Available in black or pink, the pig will brighten up the nursery wall.
Get them at Kim and Jason Lemonade Stand.
Learning Cents: Trio Bank — $22.99 or Moonjar Classic Moneybox Save, Spend, Share — $24.95
A bank that takes the "piggy" out of kids, this one offers up three compartments for cash (share, save, spend). Kids can slip their hard-earned coins into the "save" slot, some cash from Grandma in the "spend" slot and the money they found while scrambling under the couch cushions in the "share" slot. If the clanking of coins makes their heart sing, pick up the classic Moonjar with its tin construction and plastic lids. For gender-specific options, Learning Cents offers up blue for boys, pink for girls and a bit of sparkle for each. With this bank, everyone wins — whether it's the college account, the toy box or the local pet shelter.
Get the Learning Cents bank at Amazon.
Get the Moonjar bank at Moonjar.
International Playthings: Makin' Cents Musical Piggy Bank — $19.84
The sound of coins clinking in the five-cent jar at Lucy's psychiatrist booth has been replaced. Slip a coin into this plastic piggy and a jaunty tune plays while the denomination flashes on the LCD screen. Hit the button on top and the pig oinks in satisfaction. Although his basic design leaves a little to be desired, this makes a good starter bank for even the youngest savers, and the lid twists off easily for resetting the counter or rolling up all that hard-earned cash for a trip to the "real" bank.
Get them at Amazon.
Zillionz: ATM Machine Bank — $49.98
The magic machine where Mommy and Daddy go to get money for toys is now pint-sized and ready to hang on your wall. This mini-machine has all the bells and whistles of the real thing, from a bill feeder to a slot for their own little ATM card. The account balance will help them track all that graft from Grandma and the secret PIN code keeps their loot safe from brothers and sisters. Finally, they can stop looking to you as their own personal ATM.
Get them at Hearthsong.