Hey now, April is Financial Literacy Month. Not that exciting, I know. But you know what is exciting? The cool new apps that will help you teach your kids about money. I mean, if your kids are like mine, they're hogging your phone or tablet all the live-long day anyway. Might as well make them learn valuable life lessons while they're on there, right?
Here are my 5 favorite personal finance apps for kids:
Flocabulary is a tech company that creates educational videos based on rap lyrics on all kinds of academic topics for grades K-12. Co-founded by writer and musician friends Alex Rappaport and Blake Harrison, the 10-year-old company recently added 12 personal finance animated rap videos, including Kanye-esque beats and lyrics on topics ranging from choosing a career, investing, banking and credit:
So you want that ride, but lack the money to cop it?
I mean, who got 30 thou in their pocket?
Don't escape, there's other ways to get the cake,
When you shopping for something, but don't have the money it takes.
You can get it from a lender if they figure you will pay 'em back,
I know your next question, “how will they know that?”
Well, there's a credit report with all your info,
Name, age, SS number and how you spend dough.
Grades: 6-12
Cost: $15/month or $120/year
Edge: Definitely the coolest, and most creative of all the apps. The lyrics and videos are truly works of art that will resonate with older kids, and made this middle-aged mom smile. The fee includes hundreds of videos for kids of all ages and in other subjects.
Ages: All, including adults
Cost: All materials on the site are free
Edge: Lots of material for every age, and some fun and useful apps.
Kids Money Is a nuts-and-bolts budgeting app, but for kids. A few screens with interactive sliders allow the user to set savings goals (for example, "Bike," "Computer, "Trip to water park"), timeframe and regular contributions. A solid tool to help your kid learn about budgets and savings.
Age: 5 and up
Cost: Free
Edge: Easy-to-use tool to teach arguably the most fundamental of all personal finance skills: Budgeting.
Savings Spree is a much more robust personal finance tool for kids. This app, which won an educator's and parents' choice awards -- actaully promotes healthy financial habits. For example, players are rewarded for choosing to walk the dog, opposed to paying a dog walker, or drink tap water over buying soda. The graphics are a little crude for the high price, and it won't keep the interest of older kids. But this is a solid choice for young kids learning the basics of value.
Ages: 7 and up
Cost: $5.99
Edge: Really gets children thinking about the emotional and psychological fundamentals of personal finance.