Financial Games for Kids

Age: 8+
Materials: Paper, pens, a timer, and toy money (or make your own play money)
How to Play:
1. Each player starts with a certain amount of play money (e.g., $100).
2. Players take turns drawing “Life Event” cards, such as “You broke your bike – Pay $20 for repairs,” or “You get a $10 raise – Collect $10.”
3. Players must budget their money each round, ensuring they can cover any expenses while saving for “big purchases,” like a toy or a trip.
4. After a set time, the player who has saved the most money while meeting their needs (and avoiding debt) wins.
Lesson: Budgeting, managing expenses, saving, and planning for the future.

Age: 7+
Materials: A tree poster or drawing (real or fictional), play money, and “investment” cards (e.g., savings, spending, investments)
How to Play:
1. Create a “money tree” where each branch represents a different way to spend or save money (e.g., Save for College, Invest in Stocks, Buy a Toy).
2. Players start with a set amount of play money and take turns drawing cards. The cards describe different events, such as “You find $5 on the street! Put $5 in your savings branch,” or “Your favorite toy breaks! Spend $10 to replace it.”
3. Players can choose to “plant seeds” in different branches (saving, investing, or spending), and over time, these branches “grow” based on how wisely the money is managed.
4. At the end of the game, the player with the largest money tree (best investments) or the most saved money wins.
Lesson: Saving vs. spending, understanding investments, delayed gratification.

Age: 6+
Materials: Play money, small containers, and a set of goal cards
How to Play:
1. Each player starts with a small amount of play money and must collect coins by completing “tasks” or “chores” around the house or yard.
2. Players earn different amounts based on how difficult the task is (e.g., “Pick up 5 toys – earn $1” or “Wash the car – earn $10”).
3. The goal is to save and spend wisely, as players must also “buy” items to make progress in the game (e.g., “Buy a new toy for $5” or “Save $10 for a rainy day”).
4. The player who has the most saved money by the end of the game wins.
Lesson: Earning money, saving for goals, and spending responsibly.