8 Video Games Which Teach Kids About Money
- Parents will always be looking for ways to keep their kids learning
- There are plenty of games which teach children about how money works
- Members of Latest Deals reveal their top picks, from Island Saver to Animal Crossing
It’s easy for parents to feel like all their children do is load up video games whenever they get the opportunity to do so - but this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, many games out there have features, systems and plotlines which end up educating kids about the world of money.
Tom Church, Co-Founder of money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk, said: ‘After speaking to some money-saving parents and doing some research, I was surprised to find that plenty of popular games - and some hidden gems - will teach children about techniques to generate and maintain money. Whether it’s completing tasks for virtual currency or trading items for profit, there are loads of educational opportunities out there. Here are some of the best games I found to teach your child about how money works.’
Cities: Skylines
Age: 10+
Provider: Steam
Many of us love simulators - after all, that’s why we were all on The Sims: Bustin’ Out back in the day - but Cities: Skylines is a great modern version for those who loved the Build mode when they were controlling their Sims. It’s commonly described as suitable for those aged 10 and above, and although there is a lot to learn, it quickly becomes immersive as you become invested in your city.
Abby Green Coulton told Latest Deals: ‘You’ve got to make sure your city doesn’t go bankrupt and keep all the services running.’ This is a great way to teach children about the value of spending money wisely and monitoring a budget. There are plenty of methods for generating and maintaining funds, such as increasing taxes to a sustainable level, choosing whether a rail system or bus network is more cost-effective, and adjusting the budget sliders to decide how much will be spent on particular services and utilities.
Island Saver
Age: 6-12
Provider: NatWest
Developed by Natwest, this fun game is perfect for those who like playing Animal Crossing or Minecraft. Based on the fictional Savvy Islands, you’re tasked with the mission of clearing up all the nasty rubbish which has washed ashore. You’ll need to look out for the Litterbugs, who will be wreaking havoc as you go, but when you rescue ‘bankimals’ - living piggy banks - you will get assistance with making the islands beautiful again.
The game is ideal for teaching children about money, as it involves going on various ‘money missions’. You will start with simple tasks such as earning money by completing quests and feeding animals on the island, but before long your child will be learning about trading, tax and foreign exchange rates - all while enjoying themselves on their games console.
PC Building Simulator
Age: 10+
Provider: Steam
It may be four years old, and the graphics are not the best you will find, but this simulator game is both immersive and educational - particularly for children. You can get stuck in at any age, but the level of reading and concepts involved means it may be best for those aged 10 or over. The overall premise is simple - become an entrepreneur and build your own PC business, performing simple diagnostics and creating custom builds.
Martin Westcott told Latest Deals why it’s great for helping kids learn about money: ‘You have to plan your budgets as well as keeping on top of rent and electricity bills. It also teaches you that switching off the lights saves money!’ Indeed, by entering Career Mode you will not only be completing various repairs for clients but also ensuring your books are balanced so you consistently make a profit.
Forza Horizon 5
Age: 8+
Provider: Xbox
Your child may have Forza Horizon 5 on their Xbox games list, especially if you have given them a subscription to Game Pass, but did you know there’s more to the game than driving around in flashy cars? Whenever you’re involved in races or even just free-roam exploration, you’re racking up skill points which can be used to buy better cars. If your kid is after a new Lamborghini or Porsche, they’ll quickly learn that they need to put in the work to earn their virtual currency and make the purchase - even if that ‘work’ is pulling off some cool drifts!
Once you have an enviable collection of cars, it’s time to head down to the auction house where you can sell off both common and rare cars for a good price. Your child will learn about making a good sale and using the profits to invest in an even better vehicle, all while enjoying the thrill of the racetrack.
Animal Crossing
Age: 3+
Provider: Nintendo Switch
Children and adults alike are finding Animal Crossing: New Horizons addictive. As the fifth entry in the Nintendo series, it’s proving just as immersive as its predecessors. However, instead of worrying that your child is wasting their evenings after school by wandering around a virtual world, rest assured that there are plenty of ways to learn about money and get some education.
Players will know that a key element in Animal Crossing is one of the two virtual currencies - Bells. Abby Green-Coulton told Latest Deals: ‘You’ve got to budget your money to pay back your mortgage to a power-hungry Tom Nook!’ Besides this, Bells are used to finance island upgrades and make various purchases, so in order to spend them, you’ve got to have them! There are many ways to get Bells fast, such as getting involved in the stalk market. Purchase turnips from Daisy Mae at a variable price, then sell them on to Nooklings. Will you make a profit or a loss? If you think this sounds like a play version of the stock market, you’d be right…
Adopt Me!
Age: 3+
Provider: Roblox
You will likely have noticed your kids logging into Roblox when they load up their smartphone, tablet or computer, and one of the most popular games on this platform is Adopt Me! Younger players will enjoy raising pets, building a cute house and levelling up so they unlock exciting vehicles. However, there are also ways to make money in the game which will teach your child about the value of being assigned tasks to complete in exchange for a reward.
There are quests which will appear regularly at the top of the screen, but another way to build funds is to get involved in the trading platform. By learning which items are worth more, you can exchange with fellow players smartly to build up value. Plus, you can invest in food and drink stands to make cash. If you set it up in the right place, your virtual business will be flourishing!
The Sims 4
Age: 12+
Provider: EA
While The Sims is an outlet for people to create exciting and nonsensical scenarios in a world which loosely resembles their own, it can also be a great environment to learn about money. If your child wants their Sim to generate enough cash for a better house, some new clothes or a holiday, they’ll need to work for it. One option is a traditional career path, which involves putting in a day of work, getting promotions and using the funds to pay the bills which arrive in the mail.
However, you can open up more opportunities with the expansion packs. For example, the Get To Work expansion allows Sims to open up a business. They’ll need to make a decent down payment for their initial investment, but play smart and it will soon pay off. Similarly, the Spa Day pack unlocks the ability for Sims to give wellness treatments to other Sims they encounter. Now all you have to do is make sure your child doesn’t use the classic motherlode cheat…
Age Of Empires
Age: 12+
Immerse your child in history and strategy by introducing them to Age of Empires. Suitable for those aged 12 or above, your child will be able to build and expand an empire set in a specific moment in time. For example, you can become Joan of Arc and follow her on a quest to defeat the English, or get stuck into a conquest spanning Asia as Genghis Khan with his Mongol troops. Beyond the thrills of virtual battle and war, though, how can this game educate kids about money?
If you’re playing Age of Empires 4, there are plenty of ways to get gold, particularly if you choose your faction wisely. For example, you can mine gold by building a Mining Camp next to a Gold Vein and putting villagers to work. In the Feudal Age, players will be able to set up a Market that allows them to trade with other Markets. You’ll be surprised at how much your child ends up learning about generating and managing wealth.
Save More With These Discount Codes
Read More Money Saving Guides