Learning money math can be intimidating. It combines several of math concepts like multi-digit addition and subtraction, decimals, and using currency signs. But understanding how money works is an important life skill. Understanding the value of money, budgeting, and making wise financial decisions can help kids build a strong financial foundation for their future. It is a skill that will serve them throughout their lives, and it’s never too early to start teaching kids the basics.
One way we taught Gab about money math is through online math games. Learning math through games can be a great way to engage kids and make math fun! But we don’t just choose any money game that is available. We look for websites that are kid-friendly and safe. Many good games need to be purchased. But there are good learning websites that offer similar games for FREE!
Here are three online money games that we have tried and loved. Best of all, they are free to play.
Cash Back
Cash Back is a game where the player gives change using bills and coins. The player is scored by the number of correct answers within a given time limit. The game lets you choose the difficulty level from easy to hard. For younger kids, there is an option to include hints. Hints are shown if they were incorrect on their first try.
It’s a great game to introduce to a child who is just starting to learn about money math. I recommend starting with EASY level first. It only involves dollar amounts and no centavos. The HARD level is tough. It involves dollar amount up to hundreds and has centavos.
Grocery Cashier
In the Grocery Cashier game, the player pretends to be the cashier in a store. Customers would place their items on the conveyor belt and the player needs to “punch” the item price into the cash register. Once all the items are punched, it will be totaled and the customer pays the amount. The player will finally give the change to the customer to end the transaction.
The Grocery Cashier is a bit more advanced. It involves several steps already compared to the simple mechanics of Cash Back. But if the child likes pretend play games, the Grocery Cashier will be engaging.
Stocks
Stocks is an idle clicker game that simulates stock trading. It is a good introduction for a child to learn how the stock market works.
The game will simply show a typical graph of a stock trade during the day. Player will start with 500 USD. The player can buy or sell at any time of the day. The game ends after DAY 30 is reached and will show the results at the end.
It’s a simple stock trading game. But it provides the basic principles of stock trading. Buy low, sell high.
More money games are available in the same website. We also like playing the business simulation games like Coffee Shop and coding games like Ben 10 Omnicode.
Like the money games above, I encourage parents to explore online games as a leaning tool. Kids can develop problem-solving skills, improve hand-eye coordination, increase creativity and imagination. Games are also providing kids with an enjoyable and engaging way to learn new concepts and ideas.
