Older players:
Countdown to Retirment: despite it's less than thrilling name, this is an excellent tool and it is still mildly entertaining.
Mad Money: Great for teaching money management, want vs. need, and opportunity cost.
Road Trip: Very low on the financial education scale but does have an dose of reality.
Ad Decoder Game (not what I would call a game but excellent tool all the same): Boys' Version / Girls' Version
Reality Check: again, not quite a game but they can play with their dream lifestyle and see what it will really cost (awesome)!
Celebrity Calamity: Kind of borders on younger and older players but introduces debit cards, APR, and other terms.
Younger players:
Money Metropolis: Earn Money, Spend Money, Budget and more in a really cute and entertaining game for kids.
Ed's Bank- Help Ed save money in his bank and try to buy something at the store.
Farm Blitz: Fantastic game that best explains debt for the younger ones but cute and entertaining. (app available too)
Countdown to Retirment: despite it's less than thrilling name, this is an excellent tool and it is still mildly entertaining.
Mad Money: Great for teaching money management, want vs. need, and opportunity cost.
Road Trip: Very low on the financial education scale but does have an dose of reality.
Ad Decoder Game (not what I would call a game but excellent tool all the same): Boys' Version / Girls' Version
Reality Check: again, not quite a game but they can play with their dream lifestyle and see what it will really cost (awesome)!
Celebrity Calamity: Kind of borders on younger and older players but introduces debit cards, APR, and other terms.
Younger players:
Money Metropolis: Earn Money, Spend Money, Budget and more in a really cute and entertaining game for kids.
Ed's Bank- Help Ed save money in his bank and try to buy something at the store.
Farm Blitz: Fantastic game that best explains debt for the younger ones but cute and entertaining. (app available too)
Want something cute and easy for the little ones when they start making their goal list? Try this fun goal brainstorm starter. Download and print and use the article "Growth and Development Through Goals" for guidance.
goal_sheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 161 kb |
File Type: |
The Gift Wish List: A Download Printable File that is a valuable tool as discussed in the article Time to Fight the Monster.
gift_wish_drawing_list.pdf | |
File Size: | 73 kb |
File Type: |
gift_wish_list.pdf | |
File Size: | 77 kb |
File Type: |
Suggested "Read with your Kids" List
The Money Tree by Dave Hunt
The Zela Wela Kids Build a Bank by Nancy Phillips
Paddy's Pay Day by Alexandra Day
The Berenstain Bear's Trouble With Money by Jan Berenstain
Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst
Not for a Billion-Gazillion Dollars by Paula Danziger
The Everything Kids' Money Book: From Saving to Spending to Investing - Learn All About Money! (Everything Kids' Series) by Diane Mayr
The Money Tree by Dave Hunt
The Zela Wela Kids Build a Bank by Nancy Phillips
Paddy's Pay Day by Alexandra Day
The Berenstain Bear's Trouble With Money by Jan Berenstain
Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst
Not for a Billion-Gazillion Dollars by Paula Danziger
The Everything Kids' Money Book: From Saving to Spending to Investing - Learn All About Money! (Everything Kids' Series) by Diane Mayr
How do I know what and when to teach my kids?
Many wonder this once they start to really ponder their children's financial education. Below is the best guideline that I have found and it's funded by your very own tax dollars!
Many wonder this once they start to really ponder their children's financial education. Below is the best guideline that I have found and it's funded by your very own tax dollars!
Game Time
Oh how I remember the clicking sound of the dial spinner and placing my plastic peg people in the little car in the Game of Life. Also, the thrill of passing GO in Monopoly and collecting 200 big ones. Are they realistic? Sort of. You do get unexpected surprises like more children when you can't even fit them in your car or lose it all and go to jail (hopefully not, but it can happen). Are they teachers? You bet.
Family game time is beneficial in many ways. You learn to take turns. You learn "fair" isn't equal. You learn that "you win some you lose some". You just get to have fun together as a family. Sometimes I am not overly excited when my kids drag out (insert some kid game here), but I always end up laughing and having a good time even if I think a game like Candy Land is the most pointless game on the planet. Yes, I said it and I'm not sorry.
Family game time when chosen for a specific purpose can be helpful in teaching financial lessons. The following are some options. Some are more helpful than others, but they all have their place.
Oh how I remember the clicking sound of the dial spinner and placing my plastic peg people in the little car in the Game of Life. Also, the thrill of passing GO in Monopoly and collecting 200 big ones. Are they realistic? Sort of. You do get unexpected surprises like more children when you can't even fit them in your car or lose it all and go to jail (hopefully not, but it can happen). Are they teachers? You bet.
Family game time is beneficial in many ways. You learn to take turns. You learn "fair" isn't equal. You learn that "you win some you lose some". You just get to have fun together as a family. Sometimes I am not overly excited when my kids drag out (insert some kid game here), but I always end up laughing and having a good time even if I think a game like Candy Land is the most pointless game on the planet. Yes, I said it and I'm not sorry.
Family game time when chosen for a specific purpose can be helpful in teaching financial lessons. The following are some options. Some are more helpful than others, but they all have their place.
- Moneywise Kid$ - two different versions are included in one game (budgeting and making change)
- LIFE
- Payday
- Monopoly or Monopoly Jr (my preferred due to how much shorter it is)
- Cashflow for Kids
- The Allowance® Game