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How Do I Choose the Best Money Games for Kids?
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
When selecting the best money games for kids, you may find it helpful to choose those that help the players build practical skills they can use as they grow. For example, games that teach lessons about budgeting money to last for a month may prove helpful. Such games might involve giving each player a pretend paycheck and having him learn how to pay bills, buy groceries, and spend money on fun things without running out before the week or month ends. These types of games can teach children lessons about the value of money as well as the importance of saving a significant portion of it.
Some of the best money games for kids also introduce children to investing. For example, some teach children how to build wealth and income by investing in stocks, bonds, and real estate. Many games also teach children important concepts about running and investing in a business. Children can learn ways to plan for financial stability in addition to or instead of working a job as well.
Children may also benefit from money games for kids that teach money-handling lessons. Such games can teach children how to pay for items as well as how to give change using the fewest bills and coins. These lessons can act as important supplements to math textbook and workbook lessons that help build money-handling skills. Many children develop greater understanding for such concepts when they receive hands-on lessons in addition to traditional learning activities.
The best money games for kids may also include playing pieces that look like real money and checks. Such games help children get used to using different denominations of money as well as personal or business checks. As with other types of math, hands-on learning helps to boost true understanding and retention. If you can find a money game that includes bank withdrawal and deposit documents, this may prove helpful as well.
It is also important to choose money games for kids based on the fun factor. If a game doesn't provide basic fun, it is unlikely to hold your child's attention. Often, the best games are those that are so much fun that children do not realize they are learning at the same time.
While you can purchase these types of games, this is not your only option. You can also create your own games that are tailored to what you are trying to teach your children. You can typically find free resources for game creation online.
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
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![Earning coins and saving them in a piggy bank is one of the most basic money games for children.]()
By: Brian JacksonEarning coins and saving them in a piggy bank is one of the most basic money games for children.
Discussion Comments
@Iluviaporos - That kind of set-up might teach kids a little, but I think you've really got to give them structured games if they are going to learn real world rules about money. There are plenty of online money games for kids that help to encourage saving and moderate spending and show them what different things go into making up a budget.
@Fa5t3r - My father used to give us each $20 whenever we went to the mall and I always ended up spending it on presents for people, which they invariably didn't really want. I don't really remember calculating that much, but I suppose $20 was a lot back then and was supposed to keep me occupied for most of the day while my parents were shopping.
The game I really remember as teaching me about exchange and bartering and value and things like that was one I invented myself with my sisters. One of my aunts had a large collection of beautiful costume jewelry and we used to play with it every time we visited her. We'd inevitably set up little "shops" and trade pieces. It's a pretty typical game for kids, but I don't remember the rules particularly well. I just remember it was fun to play.
One of the best money games I've ever played with kids works on several levels. Basically, whenever you go to a store like Walmart to do general shopping, you give the child a small, fixed amount of money they can spend on themselves. But they have to justify why they want to spend it on that item and not something else. Or they can "save" it.
If you give them something like five dollars and 35 cents, they will have to calculate what they can get for that. It keeps them busy while you're shopping and gets them to practice real-world budgeting, as well as impulse control and addition and decimals. It also stops them from grabbing $100 toys off the shelf by making them responsible for what they spend.
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