10 Best First Piggy Banks for Toddlers
I have fond memories of my first piggy bank. I can still see the adorable smiling pig’s face and hear the sweet sound of what probably amounted to no more than $5 or $10—my life’s savings!—jingling inside that round, pink belly. The feeling of accomplishment I felt removing the little plug at the bottom and counting the accumulating money was so satisfying.
It’s never too early to start teaching your child about saving money, whether you’re giving them their first chores or just helping them learn about the value of saving. A first piggy bank can be a great way to start that conversation; check out our top picks below.
Not sure what kind of piggy bank to get your little one as their first? No worries. We aim to do the bulk of the research for you so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling. Here are the steps we took to create this article:
- We considered a list of criteria when sourcing first piggy banks, including quality, durability, practicality and style.
- To see what piggy banks and styles parents actually recommend, we conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums and message boards and reading user reviews to find out which items hit the mark.
- We tapped into our own experiences, relying on the first piggy banks that went over well with the toddlers in our lives.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read more about how The Bump develops our product reviews.
Silver piggy bank
- Classic silver design
- Great for gifting
- Option to engrave
- No reviews
Silver gifts like spoons and rattles were traditionally gifted to babies to wish them wealth in the future. What better way to wish a baby wealth than with a silver piggy bank? Perfect for a Christening or baby shower, this classic piggy bank makes a beautiful heirloom gift that not only looks beautiful in any nursery but will also get lots of use once baby is old enough.
Dimensions: 4.25" (L) x 4.75" (W) x 3.25" (H) | Weight: 1 lb. | Material: Nickel-plated zinc alloy | Money access: Metal stopper
Shatterproof piggy bank
- Affordable
- Durable
- Available in 10+ colors
- Stickers not suitable for younger toddlers
Toddlers drop things. A lot. If you’re looking for a traditional-looking piggy bank that won’t shatter when it inevitably hits the ground, this one fits the bill. There are over 10 different color options, making it easy to find your child’s favorite. Plus, the included gem stickers encourage creativity and personalization, while the cost won’t, dare we say, break the bank. And even better, it's as adorable as it is durable.
Dimensions: 5.5" (L) x 4.7" (W) x 4.9" (H) | Weight: 7.2 oz. | Material: Plastic | Money access: Plastic stopper
Teddy bear coin bank
- Beautiful, heirloom-worthy design
- Great for gifting
- Slightly on the heavier side
While not a classic pig design, this teddy bear coin bank has a traditional look that makes it appear like a timeless keepsake. The gold coloring offers a more luxurious or elegant feel, making it great for gifting. We love how beautiful this looks sitting on kids’ dressers, but when it’s time to feed the bear, your little one can pop change or cash into the coin slot on the back.
Dimensions: 5.5" (L) x 5.5" (W) x 6" (H) | Weight: 2.5 lbs. | Material: Aluminum, silicone | Money access: Plastic stopper
Dinosaur piggy bank
- Unique design
- Interactive coin deposit
- Personalization available
- Higher price point
- Some assembly required
- Parent assistance needed to get money out
We’d be remiss not to include a dinosaur option, considering the absolute hold they have over so many kids. Much like these extinct giants, this piggy bank is tall in stature—20 inches!—and has a serious appetite. Your little ones can watch this dinosaur piggy bank gobble up coins; drop them into its mouth and watch as they wind down the track into its belly. Of course, bills can also be added through the slot at the top of the belly, which has the capacity to hold up to 1,000 quarters.
Dimensions: N/A | Weight: N/A | Material: MDF, plastic | Money access: Screw
Alphabet letter piggy bank
- Large capacity
- Option to engrave
- Can be challenging to open, according to some parents
Kids love to see their initials on their belongings. At nine inches tall, this wooden letter piggy bank puts their name front and center, while the acrylic panel and large capacity allows kids to see their savings grow. Plus, it’s made using organic wood and treated with mineral oil and beeswax, so it looks good and is good for your home.
Dimensions: 9" (L) x 7.5" (W) x 1.2" (H) | Weight: 1 lb. | Material: Wood, acrylic | Money access: Screw
Retro-style money box
- Stylish retro-inspired design
- Multiple colors available
- Some assembly required
The unique piggy bank has a stylish, retro-inspired design that’s reminiscent of a vintage wooden radio. This handmade money box has two transparent sides, so your toddler can enjoy watching money fall from the slot at the top. The best part? It can be personalized with your little one’s name across the front in a beautiful script that makes this piggy bank truly special.
Dimensions: 5" (L) x 4.7" (W) x 5" (H) | Weight: N/A | Material: Wood, acrylic | Money access: Side panel
Jungle-themed piggy bank
- Handmade
- Multiple customization options
- Looks like stylish room decor
- No returns on customized items
This jungle-meets-safari-themed money box is so cute, you’ll forget it’s a piggy bank and not just adorable room decor. The handmade wooden box features different plants and animals in earthy, boho colors. Personalization options include your little one’s name on the front, with the ability to add an additional gift message on the bottom, making this perfect for birthdays, Christmas or baby showers.
Dimensions: 6" (L) x 6" (W) x 6" (H) | Weight: N/A | Material: Wood | Money access: Stopper
Toy Story piggy bank
- Great for imaginative play
- Made from durable material
- Smaller than some reviewers expected
Kids of all ages love Toy Story, but this unbreakable piggy bank is ideal for toddlers who need something durable to store their money. Made to resemble Hamm, Andy’s witty piggy bank in the Disney/Pixar movie, this coin holder doubles as a collectible for display or a toy for imaginative play. Plus, it’s the ideal size for small hands.
Dimensions: 7.8" (L) x 4.8" (W) x 4.8" (H) | Weight: 8.8 oz. | Material: Plastic | Money access: Rubber stopper
Montessori-inspired piggy bank
- Unique and interactive coin deposit
- Minimalist wooden design
- Plastic-free
- Trunk must be raised for coins to drop
Piggy banks come in all shapes and sizes, and we’re loving the elephant style from PlanToys. Montessori-inspired, this piggy bank’s unique, interactive design allows toddlers to place coins in the slot before lifting the elephant’s head in order for the coin to drop. Did we mention that the beautiful, minimalist wooden design looks great on any shelf? Plus, its compact size makes it easy for toddlers to handle while still holding a decent amount of coins.
Dimensions: 4.7" (L) x 6" (W) x 4.2" (H) | Weight: 15.2 oz. | Material: Wood, rubber | Money access: Rubber stopper
Piggy banks can help encourage patience, strategic thinking and more. In the early days, kids will learn about forming good financial habits in a tactile way. While they won’t be fluent in budgeting or investing anytime soon, kids will begin to get familiar with everything from pennies to quarters; with time, they’ll learn what each coin is called. As they get older and understand what these and bills are worth, they can hone their math skills by counting what’s coming in and what’s going out. Ultimately, having a piggy bank opens the door for conversations about money, helping kids learn that holding on to all that coinage adds up. After all, a penny saved is a penny earned, as they say.
There’s no definitive age that’s best for your child’s first piggy bank, but under adult supervision (coins are a commonly swallowed item), kids as young as 2 or 3 can benefit from the use of piggy banks. At this stage, though, there’s no need for anything fancy, like digital options or ones with key or code access–although these features are pretty cool for older kids.
For toddlers, plain, durable designs without small or detachable parts are best. And stick to age-appropriate materials—while many piggy banks are ceramic, these are often better for older kids, while wood and other shatter-proof materials tend to work better for toddlers. Bonus points for transparent piggy banks, as the ability to see money piling up can be especially motivating for younger children.
About the writer:
Maura O’Malley is the content production senior associate for The Bump, where she connects parents and parents-to-be with the best products for their families. Maura enjoys using her writing to offer insight into anything parents might be interested in, including piggy banks. As a new mom, she is currently taking notes for her baby’s first piggy bank.
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