Teaching kids about money doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. In fact, introducing them to simple financial habits early on can help them grow into adults who feel comfortable budgeting, saving, and making wise choices with their money. But how do you make money lessons fun enough that they actually want to join in?
The key is making financial learning feel like a game – engaging them hands-on and involving them in everyday money conversations. Whether it’s playing shopkeeper at home, keeping track of savings together, or even playing online money games, there are plenty of easy and playful ways to introduce these skills.
Here are five fun, practical ideas to help your kids build a healthy relationship with money, starting today!
5 Fun Ways To Teach Your Child The Value Of Money
1. SET UP A SAVINGS JAR AT HOME
Kids naturally love seeing their progress, especially if they can hold it in their hands. One of the easiest and most engaging ways to introduce them to saving is with a physical savings jar. Sit down together and help them choose a small goal – whether it’s a new toy, craft supplies, or a fun ice-cream outing – then label a jar and let them decorate it with stickers, drawings, or their favorite colors to make it truly theirs. Every time they receive money – birthday cash, pocket money, or small earnings – encourage them to add a portion to the jar. Watching the coins and bills grow is incredibly motivating and teaches patience as they wait to reach their goal.
To make this process even more fun, I’ve created a free printable savings tracker that goes perfectly alongside their jar. Print it out and have your kids record each deposit so they can see their progress at a glance. It’s a simple habit that turns saving into a hands-on, visual game!
Free Printable Savings Tracker For Kids
You can download the free savings tracker for kids by clicking the link underneath the image – it will open a new window with the tracker in PDF format, sized for A4 printing.
Download here: SAVINGS TRACKER FOR KIDS
And why not take it one step further with a family savings challenge? Choose a family goal – like going to the movies, having a pizza night, or buying a new game – and add a separate family savings jar where everyone can contribute. Small amounts add up faster when everyone chips in!
I’ve also created a free tracker for your family savings jar, so you can put it on the fridge and color in the progress together. This way, your kids see firsthand how teamwork and regular contributions lead to a fun shared reward.
Free Printable Family Savings Tracker
Just like with the individual savings tracker for kids, you can download the free family savings tracker by clicking the link underneath the image – it will open a new window with the tracker in PDF format, sized for A4 printing.
Download here: FAMILY SAVINGS TRACKER
By using both an individual jar and a family jar – each with their own trackers – you’ll make saving a concrete, visual, and exciting experience that the whole family can enjoy together.
2. Let Them Run a Mini Store at Home
Kids love pretend play – and running their own “store” at home is a great way to practice handling money.
Gather a few everyday household items like toys, snacks, or school supplies. Write up simple price tags for each item and give your child some pretend money (this could be play money or coins you already have). Take turns being the shopkeeper and the customer, encouraging them to add up the cost of multiple items and give the correct amount.
You can also introduce simple discounts (“buy one, get one free!”) or talk about saving up to buy the more expensive “specials.” Over time, you can make this game as simple or as complex as you like – which is part of the fun!
Running a store, even a pretend one, lets kids practice math and decision-making in a very real-world context. It feels like a game, so they absorb these concepts naturally – and they’ll love being in charge!
3. PLAY MONEY GAMES
Another easy way to make money fun? Introduce games that sneak in valuable lessons.
There are some great, family-friendly money games that help kids practice math, budgeting, and financial decision-making – all wrapped up in bright colors and engaging stories. Online games can help make learning about money feel like play, and there are also classic offline games like Monopoly that introduce kids to ideas like earning income, paying bills, and making strategic financial choices.
The best part? Many of these games can be played together, which gives you a chance to talk about money as you go. Even just discussing what happened after each game – like what they decided to spend or save – can spark deeper conversations about money habits and choices.
Kids absorb lessons better when they feel they’re playing, not “studying.” Whether it’s an app game or a family game night, this hands-on practice keeps them engaged and learning without pressure.
When it comes to online games, explore some free money games on MortgageCalculator.org. Designed with a “learn through play” approach, these simple games help children practice math, budgeting, and decision-making while keeping the experience fun and engaging. From coin-counting puzzles to easy stock simulations, they encourage kids to explore real-world money concepts in an interactive way. Best of all, the games are completely ad-free, allowing your child to focus on playing, learning, and discovering new skills without distractions.
There are so many fun games on the site, and a few of them have become my personal favorites because they’re simple, engaging, and really enjoyable to play.
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Cashier Simulator – a hands-on game where you practice making change and handling customers, just like a real cashier.
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Sort Coins – a relaxing puzzle that challenges you to sort coins by color and value, making it surprisingly satisfying.
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Idle Money Tree – a fun idle-clicker where you grow your own money tree and unlock upgrades as you play.
Each of these games is quick to jump into, easy to understand, and a playful way to practice money skills.
In addition to its extensive collection of money games, the site offers a huge range of other fun and educational games designed to spark kids’ curiosity and creativity – all completely free and ad‑free. These include math games to practice arithmetic skills, food-themed games that encourage healthy habits, and hidden-object games that sharpen attention to detail.
You’ll also find platformers in the style of classic jump-and-run games, along with simulation games where kids can grow virtual farms, run restaurants and grocery stores, or design and build cities. Creative types will enjoy painting games that match colors and patterns, and landscaping and construction games where they can mow lawns, erect skyscrapers, and tackle demolition jobs.
There are even office and business simulations – from software and trade to teamwork and resource management – that introduce entrepreneurship and strategic thinking in a playful way. Plus, with space games, recycling and green energy games, and so much more, there’s truly something for every interest, allowing children to explore the world around them through interactive play.
4. Introduce an Allowance for Chores (With a Twist)
Giving kids a small allowance in exchange for helping around the house can be a powerful financial teaching tool – especially if you do it thoughtfully.
Work together to list out a few small, age-appropriate chores – like making their bed, watering the plants, or helping set the table. Assign each chore a tiny payment amount (this can be as little as a few coins).
Create a fun chore tracker so they can check off each task as they do it. At the end of the week, let them total up their earnings. You could also encourage them to put part of their earnings into savings – say, one-third saved for a future goal, one-third for spending, and one-third for sharing or giving.
This system not only builds their sense of responsibility and pride but also gives them hands-on practice with earning, allocating money to different “buckets,” and making choices.
Kids gain an early understanding of how money is earned and how they can control what they do with it. It also reinforces that they have the power to reach their goals if they plan and put in effort.
5. MAKE A PRICE SCAVENGER HUNT
Kids love games, so why not turn your next shopping trip into a fun “price scavenger hunt”?
Before you head to the shop – whether it’s the grocery store, a toy shop, or even an online store – make a simple scavenger hunt list together. Write down a few everyday items, like milk, apples, cereal, or crayons. Give your kids a small clipboard or a phone to record the prices as they go along.
When you arrive, challenge them to find each item on the list and write down its price. If they’re a bit older, you can also ask them to look for the best deal – comparing brands or sizes – to see which option is the most budget-friendly.
And if you’re shopping online, you can do the same by having them search for items on different websites and note the prices they find.
This game feels like a treasure hunt, so kids stay engaged while practicing real-world math skills and learning to compare prices. It also gently introduces them to the idea that everyday items have a cost, and that smart shopping means looking for the best value.
Conclusion
Helping your kids feel comfortable with money is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them – and it doesn’t have to involve lectures or complicated charts. By using games, hands-on practice, and shared family goals, you can make financial lessons feel natural and enjoyable.
Pick one or two of these ideas to try this week and see what your kids enjoy most. Every little habit they build now – from saving up coins in a jar to playing shopkeeper – will help them grow into confident, financially savvy adults.
And most of all, remember to keep it fun. The best lessons about money happen when kids don’t even realize they’re learning – they’re too busy having a good time.
Thanks for stopping by!
Magda
xoxo