Kids from toddlers through teens can learn valuable financial lessons through play. Play encourages and ingrains the idea that learning about money is “fun”. And it’s a safe way to learn important concepts like spending, saving, budgeting, and investing.
We want them to learn these concepts before having to do it in the real world. With their real money. It’s much easier to stomach a fnancial loss in a game setting, than it is when you lose on a risky investment. So have fun with some of these top money toys for kids and teens.
The Allowance Game by Lakeshore Learning
Kids love board games, and this is a great way to have fun with money – as a family – and help teach your kids some financial skills and learn about having an allowance. Similar in design to the ever-familiar Monopoly board game, kids earn money for chores. But they lose money when they, say, forget to do their homework.
So, it’s kind of like in real life… if you don’t do your chores, you don’t get the money. Sometimes the lessons are painful, but life is easier if they can learn these simple lessons through play, before having to apply them to real-life experiences.
Budget – a Budgeting Board Game for Kids
Another fun board game, Budget will teach your kids how to do just that. According to Budget’s own description, “kids need to make tough fnancial decisions as they stick to a budget. The winner has the most money at the end of the game!” It offers a hands-on approach to learning to manage money, preparing kids to eventually make fnancial decisions with their real money.
And isn’t that what we all want for our kids in the end?
Buy Budget Now on Amazon, $27.99
Kids’ Cash Register Toy
For the littlest ones on your list, a simple cash register can teach them not only about how to sell something, but how to count the money that goes in and out. Set up a lemonade stand, and let them collect the money and give out change. Let them play grocery store with their friends. Or, let them just have fun putting money in and taking money out, to familiarize themselves with this concept.
You can take this concept out to the real world – when you go grocery shopping or to your local boutique. It’s the perfect starter money toy for the youngest kids in your family.
Buy this Cash Register Now on Amazon, $36.67.
Kids’ Money Safe
Kids like to know where their money is at all times. We teach our kids to keep track of their birthday card money and keep it in a safe place – literally – until it’s ready to be spent.
A safe is a fun way for a child to know his or her money is secure, and be able to access it when necessary. Our frst experience with a kids’ money safe was when we received one for each of our children as a Christmas gift. We thought it was such a fun and thoughtful gift. And our kids absolutely loved them!
So I speak from first-hand experience, having had our kids’ safes a few years now… They have gotten used over and over again. We like the one linked below, in particular.
Buy this Toy Safe Now on Amazon, $19.99
Play Money Set, Including Checkbook, Credit Card, and Debit Card
What better a way to learn about money than to be able to play with it, in all its forms. It’s a harder concept for a young child to learn that a credit card is attached to dollars, than it is to learn what happens when you spend an actual dollar.
The concept of credit cards is so abstract to little minds. It’s literally the epitome of thinking that money grows on trees endlessly!
So, it’s a great idea to get kids started on the concept that money doesn’t grow on trees. And the earlier the better. It’s also great to help reinforce the ability to count money and even make change – things that are taught in school, but which kids sometimes have a harder time grasping than simple math.
Don’t take the most basic money skills for granted. We think your kids will enjoy the set below.
Buy this Play Money Set Now on Amazon, $16.99
More Money Games for Kids from Your Favorite Stores
We certainly can’t exhaust the full list of money toys here. But we can direct you where to find even more great financial fun. Below are a few links to more money toys from some of your favorite retailers. Enjoy browsing these virtual aisles!
Amazon’s Best Sellers in Money and Banking Toys
Final Thoughts on Money Toys for Kids
There are so many fun and educational financial toys for kids of all ages. Whether you want to give your youngest toddler an intro to money – or whether you want to go more in-depth with your middle schooler, you’ll be able to find great toys from your favorite retailers. Have fun browsing our selections above, and let us know what your family’s favorite money toys are!
Eventually your children will be able to “graduate” from playing with money toys, to starting their own business! And you will have given them the inspiration through play.
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