Nearly every toy or other item children ask their parents to buy them can become the object of a goal-setting session. Such goal-setting helps children learn to become responsible for themselves. Introduce children to the value of saving versus spending. Explain and demonstrate the concept of earning interest income on savings. Later on, they also will realize that the quickest way to a good credit rating is a history of regular, successful savings.
Some parents even offer to match what children save on their own.