Using video games to teach kids financial management skills at an early age can be highly beneficial. As a mom and also a former pre-school teacher, I am open to all forms of learning. And yes, I allowed my son to play video games to supplement his learning, especially for his math and reading lessons. Well, he graduated with a Latin honor in college so I guess the video games did not negatively affect his schooling, right?
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Many video games designed with educational purposes in mind, like the ones found on platforms like MortgageCalculator.org, introduce children to financial concepts in a fun, engaging way. In this post, I will share with you some of the key reasons why while also recommending some of the best free online financial video games from this site that I know your kids will love!
Best Financial Video Game for Hands-on Learning - Cashier Simulator
Video games allow children to interact with financial systems in simulated environments. Games like Cashier Simulator involve handling money, making change, managing budgets, and making business decisions.
Cashier Simulator is an engaging and educational game that can help children practice basic math skills while having fun. The game simulates a grocery store cashier experience where players must ring up customers, calculate totals, and handle payments, including making the correct change.
With its practical hands-on approach, this game can strengthen a child's numerical familiarity and arithmetic skills as they need to process customer transactions efficiently. Players must enter prices correctly, calculate totals, accept payments, and give back the correct amount of change—a great way for children to build essential math and money management skills in a real-world context.
The interface is simple and intuitive, allowing players to tap on a virtual cash register to input amounts and process payments, rather than using a keyboard. The game also adapts to different devices and browsers, making it accessible on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. But if you ask me, it's best to play it on a tablet for that real-life cash register feels. I'm sure even parents like you will have fun playing this game!
Best Financial Video Game for Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: LEGO City Adventures Build and Protect
Financial games often require players to think critically about how to use limited resources efficiently. Kids can learn to weigh costs versus benefits, make investment decisions (like buying new properties or upgrades), and predict future financial outcomes based on current actions. All of these skills can be developed while enjoying and playing LEGO City Adventures Build and Protect.
This game offers a rich, city-building simulation experience where children can learn several valuable skills. In this game, players help Mayor Solomon Fleck develop a LEGO city by constructing buildings, collecting taxes, and managing resources like police stations and fire departments to protect citizens.
Cchildren can also learn civic responsibility from playing the game. It teaches the importance of maintaining a balanced, well-protected city by including police stations and fire departments, encouraging a sense of responsibility toward a community's safety and well-being.
Overall, LEGO Build and Protect promotes creativity alongside valuable lessons in financial literacy, resource management, and problem-solving, making it an engaging educational tool for kids.
Best Financial Video Game for Building Responsibility - Farm Town
Many financial simulation games foster a sense of responsibility, as kids are tasked with running businesses or managing resources. They have to make decisions on how to spend money, pay bills, and save for future goals, instilling the foundations of responsible financial habits. Farm Town, is an example of a financial video game that teaches these skills to kids.
In Farm Town, players manage a farm by planting crops, raising animals, and processing food to sell in town. The game’s 40 levels progressively introduce new challenges, such as upgrading equipment, expanding food production, and improving farming techniques.
The educational aspect in this game is notable as it teaches resource management and strategic planning. Kids learn how to allocate funds wisely, invest in machinery, and manage production timelines to meet level goals. It also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving as players must balance short-term tasks (like planting crops) with long-term investments (such as upgrading equipment) to maximize farm efficiency.
Moreover, kids can also develop a sense of entrepreneurship as they sell their produce and use the profits to grow their farm. This can help foster a basic understanding of economics, making it a valuable tool for learning while playing.
There are good video games and there are bad video games. I believe that not all video games are created equal. As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that the video games are children are playing also offer educational benefits. Games should complement real-world discussions and experiences, such as saving money in a piggy bank or discussing household budgets, so that the children can apply what they learn digitally to everyday life.
That being said, video games can be a powerful tool in teaching kids about money, as long as they are used thoughtfully alongside other learning methods. Don't you agree? I'd love to read about your thoughts on this!
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