Pocket money is often a child’s first “salary.” It is the training ground where they learn the difference between a fleeting whim and a long-term goal. But simply handing over a few coins every Saturday isn’t enough; we need to turn that pocket money into a powerful teaching tool.
In The Financial Fairy Tales, we believe that learning about money should be serious fun. Here are five simple games you can play at home to turn pocket money into a lesson in financial responsibility.
1. The Three Jars Challenge
Instead of one money box, give your child three clear jars labelled: Spend, Save, and Give.
- The Game: Every time they receive pocket money, they must decide how to split it.
- The Lesson: This teaches “intentionality.” It shows them that money has different purposes, and “Giving” is just as important for a heart-centred life as “Saving.”
2. The “Wait and Double” Game
This is a classic test of delayed gratification, similar to the lessons in The Last Gold Coin.
- The Game: Tell your child, “If you don’t spend your ‘Save’ jar this week, I will add an extra 10% (or 50p) to it next Saturday.”
- The Lesson: This is a simple introduction to interest. It shows them that patience literally pays off.
3. The Supermarket Scout
Turn the weekly shop into a treasure hunt for value.
- The Game: Give your child £2 of their pocket money and a small list (e.g., a loaf of bread and a tin of beans). Their goal is to find the best value items and “keep the change.”
- The Lesson: This teaches price comparison and the value of research. It turns them from a passive consumer into a “smart shopper.”
4. The “Work for a Perk” Auction
Sometimes, we want things that cost more than our weekly allowance.
- The Game: If they want a £20 toy, create a list of “extra” chores with a set value (e.g., washing the car = £3).
- The Lesson: This connects effort to income. It moves them away from “I want” to “How can I earn this?”—a core principle of entrepreneurship.
5. The Family Goal Poster
Visualising success is a key part of the Dreams Can Come True philosophy.
- The Game: Create a poster of a “Big Dream” (like a trip to the zoo or a new LEGO set). Every time they put money in their “Save” jar, let them colour in a section of the goal.
- The Lesson: This makes the abstract concept of “saving” feel tangible and exciting.
Turning Games into Habits
By making these games a regular part of your family life, you are building the “money muscles” your child will need as an adult. You are moving them from “Learning” to “Earning” and eventually to “Following their Bliss.”
Want more games and puzzles? Our Financial Fairy Tales: Activity Book is packed with interactive ways to make financial literacy a fun part of every day.