Financial Literacy Board Games

Childhood is a great time to initiate learning about financial education/literacy. In fact, it’s the best time.

However, finding a way to teach financial literacy to children can be challenging. Topics might seem too advanced, especially when a child might not even receive an allowance yet. Furthermore, making the lessons engaging enough that kids would want to learn.

A great solution is to use games to teach the core concepts of financial literacy.

In today’s digital era, there’s no lack of applications and online resources to teach personal finance. However, if you are looking for a little more, board games might be just what you’re seeking.

There are a number of classic finance-related board games that teach money-management skills (remember saving up your Monopoly money to buy Park Place?). Additionally, there’s a whole collection of new games dedicated to personal finance topics.

Here are the top board games—both classic and new—to teach essential financial literacy skills to a range of ages.

Financial literacy board games

1. CASHFLOW

Created by renowned entrepreneur Robert Kiyosaki, the author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad," CASHFLOW encourages players to escape the rat race of a 9 to 5 job by acquiring stocks, investing, and building up passive income.

Cost

Originally called Cashflow 101, the new edition, CASHFLOW, has an updated board, playing cards, professions, and includes an exclusive strategy guide all for $89.97.

Ages

CASHFLOW can be played with two to six players. It’s suitable for players 14 years and older.

Financial Literacy Skills

• Investing
• Accounting
• Technical investment techniques pertaining to stocks, business, and real estate

Players will learn a lot about their personal financial style and how it compares to their opponents. Are you a risk taker with investing or do you prefer a more cautious approach? Regardless, you’ll sharpen your financial literacy skills by practicing saving, investing, and making money.

2. Money Bags

A product of Learning Resources, the Money Bags coin value board game offers the chance for young children to enhance their skills in collecting, counting, and exchanging realistic-looking money. Players who earn more money than their opponents emerge as winners!

Cost

Money Bags is available for $20.

Ages

Ideal for two to four players. Money Bags recommends that players age is at least 7 years, although reviewers have used the game with children as young as 4. However, it’s important to monitor younger children as the small game pieces may pose a choking hazard.

Financial Literacy Skills

• Identifying bills and coins
• Counting
• Combining amounts
• Critical thinking

Mathematical skills are a crucial component of early childhood development, and Money Bags encourages algebraic thinking in children. Moreover, it also teaches money management with its realistic dollar bills and cents.

3. The Game of Life

Created nearly 160 years ago by Milton Bradley, The Game of Life board game continues to educate and entertain families by replicating the unpredictable twists and turns of life.

Cost

There are several editions of the Game of Life, but the classic one costs about $20. Alternatively, the newer Electronic Banking edition sells for $25 which combines classic tabletop gameplay with an interactive digital card system.

Ages

This board game is ideal for two to six players, aged 8 and older.

Financial Literacy Skills

• Effects of education and career choice on income
• Financial consequences of losing a job, having children, and getting sued
• Car and mortgage payments
• Taxes
• Debt

Experiencing life’s milestones, players will balance chance and choice when deciding on college, career, salary, marriage, children, and homeownership. Critical financial moves made during gameplay significantly impacts the outcome of each player’s net worth upon retirement.

4. Pay Day

Made by Parker Brothers, Pay Day was launched in 1975. The game board resembles a calendar and allows players to earn a wage at the end of the month after accumulating bills and expenses. To secure a win, a player must prove their budgeting skills and save as much money as possible by the game’s end.

Cost

Another board game with several iterations, Pay Day retails for about $20. For individuals seeking an extra challenge, consider Big Pay Day, a customizable $50 version that allows to add events and change the number of days in the month.

Ages

This board game is best suited for two to four players, aged 8 and up.

Financial Literacy Skills

• The difference between income and expenses
• Budgeting
• Paying bills and loans
• Creating an emergency fund

Pay Day simulates money management by asking players to allocate their monthly paycheck in order to meet monthly expenses, while simultaneously building a savings fund.

5. Monopoly

Did you know that Monopoly was originally intended to teach the concept of income inequality? Before the famous board game was sold to Parker Brothers it was called the Landlord’s Game. It was created by Lizzie Magie, an artist, writer, feminist, and inventor. Monopoly continues to enchant by allowing players to buy, sell, and dream their way to wealth.

Cost

There are several iterations of this classic board game, but Monopoly costs about $20. Families might enjoy the updated Ultimate Banking edition for $25, which includes bank cards and a card reader for cashless transactions.

Ages

Monopoly typically includes two to eight players and is well-suited for group play with a minimum age requirement of 8 years old.

Financial Literacy Skills

• Managing money
• Balancing income, saving, and investing
• Financial transactions and negotiations
• Real estate
• Taxes

The premise of Monopoly is to amass properties and then construct homes and hotels in order to charge other players who visit your real estate holdings. The winner has the best money management skills determined by the highest net worth in terms of property and cash.