Teaching Money to Kids: The Money Game
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Looking for a fun way to teach kids about saving, spending, and smart money choices? This Money Game for Kids is a hands-on printable activity that helps children learn important financial concepts through play.
Money management is one of the most valuable life skills we can teach children, yet it can feel hard to know where to start. Games make learning about money easier, more practical, and much more fun.
This printable board game introduces children to earning money, making spending decisions, and working toward savings goals in an age-appropriate way.
Inpired by the book Make Your Kids a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not), by Beth Kobliner.
Why Teach Money Skills Early?
Children begin forming money habits long before adulthood. Even simple conversations and games can help them understand how money works.
Teaching kids about money can help them learn:
- saving for goals
- thoughtful spending
- delayed gratification
- budgeting basics
- earning through work
- needs vs. wants
- generosity
- decision-making
The earlier children practice these ideas, the more confident they often become later in life.
The Money Game for Kids
This printable money board game gives children a fun way to experience real-life money choices.
The goal of the game is simple:
Be the first player to save $1,000.
It sounds easy—but along the way players land on spaces that cause them to either save money or spend money.
That means children quickly learn that keeping money takes planning.
What’s Included in the Printable Game?
This printable set includes:
- game board
- printable play money
- save cards
- spend cards
- game instructions
Children can play this spending money game with siblings, friends, classmates, or parents.
How to Play The Money Game
Set Up
- Print the game board and cards.
- Cut out the cards and money pieces.
- Each player starts with the same amount of money.
-Game starts with $200 per player.
-For younger children use $300.
-For a challenge, start with $100. - Place Save and Spend cards in separate piles.
Objective
Be the first player to reach $1,000 in savings.
Gameplay
Players move around the board and follow directions on the spaces they land on.
Examples:
Save Spaces
- Earn money by doing chores
- Birthday gift money
- Lemonade stand profits
- Babysitting money
- Sold old toys
Spend Spaces
- Buy a toy
- Lost your lunch money
- Need new shoes
- Bought a snack
- Paid for movie tickets
Players add or subtract money as they go.
This money lapbook would also be a great learning tool to combine with the game!
What Kids Learn from This Fun Game
Children begin to notice:
- money goes quickly when spent often
- saving takes patience
- earning money requires effort
- choices have consequences
- planning helps reach goals
These lessons are powerful because kids experience them directly during play.
Great for Homeschool or Classroom Use
This game works well for:
- homeschool life skills units
- personal finance lessons
- classroom economics units
- family game night
- rainy day learning
- summer learning review
Ways to Extend the Learning
Needs vs Wants Sort
Discuss whether each spend card is a need or a want.
Budget Challenge
Give players a monthly budget.
Real Money Connection
Compare game costs to real prices today.
Writing Activity
Ask: What would you save $1,000 for?
Money Skills Matter
Even young children can understand basic financial ideas when taught in simple ways. Learning to save, spend wisely, and think ahead builds confidence that can last a lifetime.
Games like this create natural opportunities for those conversations.
Get The Money Game Printable
Ready to teach kids about saving and spending in a fun hands-on way?
Purchase The Money Game Printable below and start building real-life money skills through play.
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what size is the game board?