5 board games to teach kids about money
As a mother of two school-age kids and an advocate of financial literacy training, I find board games very useful to teach money skills to young people. Here are my top picks to start talking about money at home:
1. CASHFLOW FOR KIDS- Rich Dad Investing Board Game by Robert Kiyosaki
Kids as young as 5 will enjoy this simple game and learn some very valuable money lessons about spending within one´s means, and the power of investing in cash-generating assets.
2. CASHFLOW- Rich Dad Investing Board Game by Robert Kiyosaki
If you want a more full-on learning experience for teens and adults alike, then the original CASHFLOW game is a great choice. Based on the classic Rich Dad Poor Dad book by Robert Kiyosaki, this interactive game will give you the tools to escape the rat race and teach you practical money lessons you can apply in real life.
3. MONOPOLY- Hasbro Gaming
This best-selling strategy game has much more going for it than just buying and selling properties! It teaches the importance of managing your money wisely, making sound investments when the time is right, and striking the right balance between being too aggressive (you may go bankrupt!) and being too conservative (you may not have enough rental income to keep up with inflation as the game progresses!). If you have young kids, you may want to try out one of the many Monopoly Junior versions available.
4. GAME OF LIFE- Hasbro Gaming
Another classic board game by Hasbro, the Game of Life is all about making decisions and seeing where life gets you! Easy to play and engaging for kids and teens alike, this game teaches young people about the economic impact of big life choices- like going to school (or not), the type of job you get, the house you buy and when you choose to retire.
5. PAY DAY- Winning Moves
A simple and effective board game, PAY DAY teaches young people basic principles of money management, as you collect a salary and must pay off all your bills. Short rounds (a stark contrast to Monopoly!) and easy-to-understand rules make this an ideal game for the whole family.
