Top 19 'Pocket-Money-Pros' Financial Games to teach kids the value of a dollar at home. - Goh Ling Yong
"Mum, can I have this? Pleeeease?"
We’ve all been there. Standing in the middle of a toy aisle, faced with a pair of puppy-dog eyes pleading for the latest, greatest, and often most expensive, gadget. Explaining that "money doesn't grow on trees" can feel like talking to a brick wall. How do you translate the abstract concept of a budget or the value of hard work into something a child can actually understand? The answer might be simpler and more fun than you think: through play.
Financial literacy is one of the most crucial life skills we can impart to our children. It's the foundation for a secure future, responsible decision-making, and achieving their dreams. But let's be honest, lectures about savings accounts and compound interest can make even the most attentive child’s eyes glaze over. By turning these lessons into games, we transform a potentially dry subject into an exciting adventure. We create positive, lasting memories around money management, setting them up to become 'Pocket-Money Pros' from a young age.
So, clear the kitchen table, grab some coins, and get ready to have some fun. Here are 19 fantastic financial games you can play at home to teach your kids the value of a dollar, one roll of the dice and one "pretend" paycheck at a time.
1. The Supermarket Sweep (At Home Edition)
Description:
Transform your pantry into a bustling grocery store! This simple role-playing game is perfect for toddlers and young children. Use sticky notes to put price tags on items in your kitchen—cereal, apples, juice boxes, etc. Give your child a set amount of play money or real coins and a small shopping list.
Their mission is to "buy" the items on the list while staying within their budget. This game brilliantly introduces the core concepts of budgeting, the cost of goods, and making choices. They’ll quickly learn that if they spend all their money on cookies (the "wants"), they might not have enough left for the milk and bread (the "needs").
Pro-Tip: For older kids, introduce challenges like "special offers" (buy one, get one free) or "coupons" to teach them about saving money and getting value. You can even be the "cashier" and have them practice counting out the correct change.
2. The Three-Jar System
Description:
This isn't just a game; it's a foundational system for managing pocket money. Label three clear jars: SAVE, SPEND, and SHARE. Whenever your child receives money (from allowance, chores, or gifts), they must decide how to divide it among the three jars.
The SPEND jar is for immediate gratification—small toys, sweets, or comics. The SAVE jar is for bigger, long-term goals, like a video game or a new bike. The SHARE jar is for charity or buying a gift for someone else, teaching them about philanthropy and empathy. This visual system makes the abstract concepts of budgeting and goal-setting tangible and easy to grasp.
Pro-Tip: Help your child set a specific goal for their "SAVE" jar. Tape a picture of the item they're saving for onto the jar. This visual reminder keeps them motivated and focused on their long-term financial objective.
3. Monopoly (The Classic Landlord)
Description:
It’s a classic for a reason! Monopoly is a masterclass in financial concepts disguised as a board game. Players learn about earning an income (passing "Go"), paying bills (taxes and rent), managing cash flow, and the risks and rewards of investing (buying properties).
The game powerfully demonstrates the concept of assets—things that put money in your pocket (properties with houses and hotels) versus liabilities. It also introduces negotiation, risk management, and the importance of having a cash reserve for unexpected expenses (those dreaded "Chance" cards).
Pro-Tip: After the game, have a quick chat. Ask questions like, "What was your best investment and why?" or "What happened when you ran out of cash?" This helps solidify the financial lessons they just experienced.
4. The Game of Life
Description:
If Monopoly is about investing, The Game of Life is about, well, life's financial journey. From choosing a career and getting a salary to buying a house, having a family, and eventually retiring, this game simulates the major financial milestones of adulthood.
It's a fantastic way to introduce concepts like salary differences between professions, the cost of education (going to college vs. starting a career), insurance, and long-term financial planning. It helps kids see the bigger picture and understand how early life choices can impact their financial future.
Pro-Tip: Use the game's scenarios to spark real-world conversations. When a player lands on "Pay for house repairs," you can talk about your own home's budget for maintenance and unexpected costs.
5. Payday
Description:
As the name suggests, this game is all about making it from one "payday" to the next. Players receive a monthly salary and must manage it by paying bills, dealing with unexpected expenses, and deciding whether to take out loans.
Payday is an excellent, simplified simulation of monthly budgeting. It drives home the reality that a salary doesn't just go into a black hole of fun stuff; it has to cover essential costs first. It’s a powerful tool for teaching kids why a budget is not a restriction, but a plan for their money.
Pro-Tip: Create a simple paper budget sheet for each player to track their income and expenses throughout the game. This adds a layer of hands-on practice in real-world money management.
6. The Family Bank
Description:
This is a long-term game where you, the parent, become the "banker." When your child saves money in their "SAVE" jar or a real savings account, you can offer them "interest" on their balance at the end of each month. This could be a small, fixed percentage like 5% or 10%.
This game is the single best way to teach the power of compound interest. When they see their money growing on its own, even by a small amount, it’s a lightbulb moment. They learn that saving isn't just about not spending; it's about making their money work for them. As Goh Ling Yong often advises, understanding compound interest early is a game-changer for long-term wealth.
Pro-Tip: Keep a "bank ledger" (a simple notebook) where you track their "deposits" and "interest earned." It makes the process feel official and helps them visualize their progress.
7. Restaurant Role-Play
Description:
Let your kids be the restaurateurs! Have them create a menu with prices for a special family meal (it could be as simple as sandwiches and juice). They have to "buy" the ingredients from you (the supplier), cook the meal, and then serve it to the family (the customers).
This game teaches a host of business skills: calculating costs, setting prices to make a "profit," customer service, and managing inventory. They learn that the price of a meal isn't just random; it has to cover the cost of the ingredients and the work involved.
Pro-Tip: At the end of the "business day," sit down with them and calculate their profit (Total money from customers - Total cost of ingredients). This introduces the fundamental concept of a profit and loss statement.
8. The "Needs vs. Wants" Sorting Challenge
Description:
This is a quick and easy game that builds a critical financial mindset. Grab a stack of old magazines or catalogues, scissors, and two pieces of paper labeled "Needs" and "Wants." Have your kids cut out pictures of various items and sort them into the two piles.
A house? Need. A new video game console? Want. Groceries? Need. A trip to the water park? Want. This simple activity sparks great conversations about priorities and helps children understand the difference between what is essential and what is a luxury. This is the first step to conscious spending.
Pro-Tip: Introduce a third pile: "Could Be Both." A pair of shoes is a need, but are diamond-studded designer sneakers a need? This teaches nuance and the concept of value.
9. Entrepreneur for a Day
Description:
Encourage your child's inner CEO by helping them set up a small, one-day business. This could be a classic lemonade stand, a bake sale, a car wash service for family members, or even selling handmade crafts.
Help them think through the process: What is their product? What supplies (capital) do they need? How much will it cost? What price should they set? How will they advertise? This is a hands-on, comprehensive lesson in business, from initial investment to sales and profit. The pride they feel from earning their own money is a lesson that will stick with them forever.
Pro-Tip: Don't just give them the money for supplies. Frame it as a "business loan" from the Bank of Mum and Dad, which they have to pay back from their earnings first before they can calculate their profit.
10. Coin Recognition & Value Game
Description:
For the youngest financial whizzes, start with the basics. Dump a pile of mixed coins on the table and turn it into a game. You can time them to see how fast they can sort the coins into different piles (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters).
Once sorted, you can move on to value. Ask them, "How many pennies make a dime?" or "Which coin is worth the most?" You can also play "store" with small toys, pricing everything under a dollar so they have to practice counting out the correct coins to make a purchase.
Pro-Tip: Use a muffin tin as a perfect, pre-divided sorting tray for different coin denominations. It's a simple hack that makes the game more organized and fun for little hands.
11. The "Price is Right" Home Edition
Description:
A fun game for the whole family that sharpens estimation skills. Gather a handful of items from around the house (a can of soup, a book, a roll of paper towels, a bottle of shampoo). Have everyone write down their guess for how much each item costs.
After everyone has guessed, reveal the actual prices (you can look them up on a grocery store app or use old receipts). The person closest to the actual price without going over wins a point. This game makes kids more aware of the real-world cost of everyday items.
Pro-Tip: For the final "Showcase Showdown," have two players guess the total cost of a full grocery receipt. It's a fun way to practice mental math and budgeting on a larger scale.
12. The Vacation Fund Challenge
Description:
Planning a family trip? Turn the saving process into a collaborative game. Create a large thermometer-style chart and label it "Family Vacation Fund." Set a savings goal for a specific part of the trip, like "Money for Ice Cream" or "Souvenir Budget."
Whenever the family finds a way to save money—using a coupon at the grocery store, choosing to have a movie night at home instead of going to the cinema, etc.—colour in a portion of the thermometer. Kids can also contribute from their "SHARE" or "SAVE" jars. This teaches goal-setting and shows that small, consistent efforts can add up to a big reward.
Pro-Tip: Let the kids be in charge of researching and budgeting for one specific activity on the trip. This gives them ownership and a real-world application for their financial planning skills.
13. Stock Market for Kids (Pretend Portfolio)
Description:
For older kids and teens, introduce the world of investing in a risk-free way. Help them pick a few well-known, kid-friendly companies they recognize (like Disney, Nike, or McDonald's). Give them a "pretend" budget, say $1,000, to "invest."
Have them track the performance of their chosen stocks online over a few weeks or months. They can use a simple spreadsheet to see how their portfolio value changes. This demystifies the stock market and introduces concepts like risk, diversification, and long-term growth. It’s a fantastic way to plant the seeds of an investor mindset.
Pro-Tip: Talk about why a stock's price might go up or down. Did the company release a popular new movie? Did they have a bad earnings report? This connects stock performance to real-world business events.
14. The Compound Interest Rice Game
Description:
This is a brilliant visual demonstration of a tricky concept. You need a chessboard (or a piece of paper with 64 squares) and some rice. Explain you'll pay your child for a job, and they have two payment options. Option 1: $1,000 cash right now. Option 2: One grain of rice on the first square of the board, with the amount doubling on each subsequent square for 30 days.
Most kids will jump at the $1,000. But then, demonstrate the doubling. One grain becomes two, then four, eight, sixteen… By the time you get to the 20th square, you're at over 500,000 grains. This mind-blowing visual makes the power of compounding unforgettable.
Pro-Tip: Don't try to fill the whole board! Just demonstrating the first 15-20 squares is enough to convey the shocking power of exponential growth without needing a silo for all the rice.
15. The "Good Debt" vs. "Bad Debt" Discussion Game
Description:
Debt isn't always a scary word. This game is more of a guided conversation for pre-teens and teens. Create cards with different scenarios involving taking out a loan. Examples could include: "Borrowing money for college," "Using a credit card for a shopping spree," "Getting a mortgage for a house," "Taking a loan for a fancy car you can't afford."
Have your child sort these cards into "Good Debt" (an investment that can increase your wealth or earning potential, like a student loan or mortgage) and "Bad Debt" (borrowing for depreciating assets or things you can't afford). It's a crucial lesson in responsible borrowing.
Pro-Tip: Frame the discussion around value. Does this debt help you acquire an asset that will grow in value or increase your ability to earn money in the future? This simple question is the key to understanding the difference.
16. The Allowance & Chore Chart Game
Description:
Turn chores into a game of earning. Create a chart with a list of chores and assign a monetary value to each. Some chores can be "unpaid" contributions to the family, while others are "jobs" they can do to earn money. This directly connects work with financial reward.
When they complete a paid chore, they earn the money. This isn't just about getting kids to help around the house; it's their first experience with being "employed." They learn that income is earned, not just given. My own experience, and what I share in my parenting workshops inspired by thought leaders like Goh Ling Yong, is that this connection is fundamental to developing a strong work ethic.
Pro-Tip: Offer "bonus rates" for jobs done exceptionally well or without being asked. This introduces the concept of going above and beyond to increase one's earning potential.
17. The "Donation Derby"
Description:
This game focuses on the "SHARE" aspect of money management. Give each family member a small amount of money (say, $10) and have them research a charity they care about. It could be an animal shelter, an environmental group, or a local food bank.
Have each person make a short, one-minute "pitch" about why their chosen charity deserves the family's donation pot. After everyone has presented, the family can vote on how to distribute the money. This teaches children about charitable giving, research, and persuasive communication.
Pro-Tip: Use websites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar to show kids how to research an organization and ensure it's reputable before donating.
18. The "What's My Bill?" Estimation Game
Description:
When you're out at a cafe or restaurant, before the bill arrives, have everyone at the table (discreetly) write down their guess for the final total, including tax and tip.
This is a fun, real-world application of mental math and financial awareness. It encourages kids to pay attention to menu prices and consider the "hidden costs" like tax and gratuity. The person with the closest guess gets bragging rights (or doesn't have to help with the dishes that night!).
Pro-Tip: For older kids, have them calculate the tip. Explain different percentages (15% for good service, 20% for great service) and have them work out the math. It's a practical skill they'll use for the rest of their lives.
19. The "Ad Buster" Challenge
Description:
Every advertisement is designed to make us want to spend money. Turn this into a critical thinking game. When you're watching TV or looking through a magazine, pause and analyze the ads with your kids.
Ask questions like: "What is this ad trying to make you feel?" "What promise is it making?" "Do you really need this product, or does the ad just make you want it?" This game equips kids with media literacy skills and helps them become more conscious consumers, less susceptible to impulsive spending triggered by clever marketing.
Pro-Tip: Challenge them to find the "fine print" in ads, like the terms and conditions for a "buy now, pay later" offer. It's a great lesson in looking beyond the flashy headlines.
Making Every Day a Payday for Learning
Teaching our children about money isn't a one-time conversation; it's an ongoing dialogue built on small, consistent, and positive interactions. By weaving these games into your family routine, you're not just teaching them how to count coins or read a price tag. You're giving them the building blocks for a life of financial confidence and responsibility.
The goal isn't to raise master investors by the age of ten. It's to raise thoughtful, aware, and capable individuals who understand that money is a tool—a tool to achieve their goals, help others, and build a secure and happy life. The giggles from a home-built grocery store or the friendly arguments over a Monopoly board are where the most valuable lessons are truly learned.
So, which game will you try first? Do you have another family-favorite financial game that we missed? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Let's build a community of 'Pocket-Money-Pros' together.
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!