There are numerous apps that teach children how to manage money and investment portfolios. Here are five best apps I found that I believe are worthwhile for your children to play.
Green$treets: Unleash the Loot!
Green$treets: Unleash the Loot! is a game based in the city of Green$treets. Kids rescue animals, feed and play with the animals they rescue, and then give them back to their owners. Children can earn money by growing gardens or by catapulting items they find into their very own tree house. There is a monster in the game who tries to stop them from what they are doing, but kids can escape him with proper planning and strategy. Kids can buy decor for their tree house or attire for their animals. This game teaches children how to earn and spend money, escape pitfalls in the search for more money, and treat other living creatures with care.
SavingSpree
SavingSpree shows kids, ages seven and up, how saving money every day or long term affects their ability to buy things they want or need, such as a new bike or college education. They have a certain amount of money and are able to save, spend, donate, or invest the money. It also shows them how work can earn them money and how there are certain things out of their realm of control that costs money. So, it teaches children that saving extra money just in case is a smart thing to do. They get rewarded for each smart choice they make. Their skills are developed through a game show that is run by a money-saving pig character. They are tested on their financial knowledge and rewarded with skills when they answer the questions correctly.
Kids Money
Kids Money is like a budgeting tracker, such like Mint is for adults. It helps kids keep track of the money they earn/are given and helps them to see when they will have the money to purchase things they want in real life. It allows for them to input numbers and receive information and graphics about their money. It’s fun and useful to teach older children how to save and use money and change wisely.
Motion Math: Cupcake!
Motion Math: Cupcake! is a game that allows children to own their own cupcake business and evaluate the costs and rewards of doing so. They get to create cupcakes individually and see how much each topping and ingredient costs to make the cupcake. They get to set a price for the cupcake and then either sell them out of the shop or deliver them around town. Children get to accumulate points/money by selling the cupcakes. It’s a great game to teach children that creating and selling products costs money up front but rewards them in the end. It is a great way to teach them about basic business principles, as well.
Renegade Buggies
Renegade Buggies give you a character with a shopping cart and you have to race around the streets of the town to collect as much money, gifts, and prizes as possible. Once you earn enough rewards, you make purchases at the grocery store and can purchase racing gear for your “buggy.” This is a great way to teach children that money can be fun to earn, but it is important to save in order to get the things they need to move forward.
These apps are user-friendly and provide an experience for your children to learn the basics of wealth management. They are fun and highly interactive. Some of the games are better for younger children, such as Green$treets: Unleash the Loot!, while other games are better for older children, such as Kids Money. Introduce your children to these games, and they will have a blast learning to be financially responsible!