Money Saving Games for Kids

Piggy Banks

• Make a game of saving money by using piggy banks. Label one bank "Savings" and another bank "Spending." Some piggy banks come with two different compartments for saving and spending. There are also electronic money jars that count as you go, so that the thrifty saver can see how much money he is saving. Some banks like the Moon Jar, come with a checkbook, so that children have a way to budget their money just like an adult.

Online Games

• Play fun and interactive money management games online, such as those found at the U.S. Mint. These games are broken down by grade level and age range. They also feature fun and entertaining characters to teach how money works.

Set a Goal

• Make savings fun by setting a goal. Perhaps the child wants to save up for something, such as a skate board or PlayStation. Once the amount of the item is decided and the goal set, let the child know if he reaches his goal that you will match that amount.

Go Shopping

• Have the child create a shopping list. It is a good idea that the child put the most important items at the top of the list, so that those will be purchased first. The child should also research each item prior to shopping so that they can be informed consumers. Take the child to several different stores for "bargain" hunting. This will teach the child that by buying the less expensive item, more items from the list can be purchased. If going to a store is out of the question, a small cash drawer and several items from around the house can serve as a store and will make do.

Board Games

• Board games are a fun and entertaining way to learn about math and money. Games such as Monopoly Junior, Life, Payday, Charge It and Allowance also teach valuable life skills.

Give an Allowance

• Have a chore chart. Give each chore a price value, such as $5 for dusting the house and $1 for taking out the trash. Log each chore completed and at the end of the week tally the chores and the dollar amount to be given. Also have a reward board, such as an ice cream outing or a "week of no chores" pass that they can use to spend their money on.