Financial Literacy Gets a Boost: 19 Free Games for High School Students

 

Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage money effectively.

It is a crucial skill for anyone who wants to achieve their personal, professional, and social goals.

However, many high school students lack the basic knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions.

According to a 2020 survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, only 34% of U.S. teens received financial education in school, and only 12% felt confident about their financial future.

Fortunately, there are many free online games that can help high school students learn and practice financial literacy in a fun and engaging way.

These games cover topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, debt, credit, taxes, entrepreneurship, and more.

They also provide feedback, rewards, and challenges that motivate students to improve their financial skills and habits.

Here are 19 free financial literacy games for high school students that you can play online or download on your devices:

- [Cash Crunch 101]: This game teaches students how to manage their money and avoid debt by making smart choices.

Students have to balance their income and expenses, save for emergencies, and plan for their future goals.

The game also features quizzes, videos, and articles that reinforce the financial concepts.

- [Financial Football]: This game combines the excitement of football with the challenge of financial literacy.

Students have to answer questions about money management, saving, spending, credit, and debt to advance on the field and score touchdowns.

The game has three levels of difficulty and can be played in English or Spanish.

- [Bite Club]: This game puts students in the role of a vampire who owns a nightclub.

Students have to manage their business, pay off their debts, and save for retirement.

The game also introduces students to concepts such as compound interest, inflation, and diversification.

- [Gen i Revolution]: This game is a mission-based adventure that teaches students about personal finance and investing.

Students have to use their financial knowledge and skills to help people in financial trouble and fight the evil Murktide.

The game has 16 missions that cover topics such as budgeting, credit cards, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and retirement planning.

- [Spent]: This game simulates the experience of living on the edge of poverty.

Students have to find a job, pay their bills, and cope with unexpected events.

The game also exposes students to the social and emotional aspects of financial hardship and encourages them to take action to help others.

- [Shady Sam]: This game teaches students about the dangers of predatory lending and how to avoid it.

Students have to help their friends who are in need of money and are tempted by shady loans.

The game also explains the terms and costs of different types of loans and how to compare them.

- [Payback]: This game helps students understand the costs and benefits of going to college.

Students have to choose a college, a major, and a lifestyle, and see how their decisions affect their finances and happiness.

The game also shows students how to apply for financial aid and scholarships, and how to repay their student loans.

- [The Stock Market Game]: This game is a simulation of the real stock market that teaches students about investing and economics.

Students have to create a portfolio of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, and compete with other teams to earn the highest returns.

The game also provides students with news, research, and analysis tools to help them make informed investment decisions.

- [The Uber Game]: This game is a realistic portrayal of the challenges and trade-offs of being an Uber driver. Students have to choose when, where, and how much to work, and deal with various scenarios such as traffic, surge pricing, customer ratings, and expenses.

The game also shows students the impact of their choices on their income, health, and family.

- [Countdown to Retirement]: This game teaches students about the importance of saving for retirement and how to achieve it.

Students have to choose a career, a savings plan, and a retirement age, and see how their choices affect their retirement income and lifestyle.

The game also provides students with tips and resources to help them plan for their retirement.

- [Financial Soccer]: This game is similar to Financial Football, but with a soccer theme.

Students have to answer questions about financial literacy to pass, shoot, and score goals.

The game has three levels of difficulty and can be played in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.

- [Road Trip to Savings]: This game teaches students how to save money and reach their financial goals.

Students have to plan a road trip across the U.S. and make decisions about their transportation, accommodation, food, and entertainment.

The game also shows students how to track their spending and savings, and how to adjust their budget as needed.

- [The Bean Game]: This game is a simple and interactive way to teach students about budgeting and living within their means.

Students have to allocate their beans (representing money) to different categories such as housing, food, transportation, and entertainment.

The game also allows students to customize their categories and beans, and to compare their budget with others.

- [The Mint: Fun Financial Literacy Activities for Kids, Teens, Parents and Teachers]: This website offers a variety of games and activities that teach students about financial literacy.

Some of the games include:

- [Money Metropolis]: This game allows students to explore a virtual city and earn money by completing tasks.

Students have to save enough money to achieve their financial goals, such as buying a bike, a pet, or a concert ticket.

- [Peter Pig's Money Counter]: This game helps students learn how to count and save money.

Students have to sort and stack coins, and answer questions about money facts and trivia.

- [Ed's Bank]: This game teaches students about the benefits of saving money in a bank.

Students have to help Ed save money for his goals, such as buying a car, a house, or a vacation.

The game also shows students how interest works and how to use a savings calculator.

- [Planet Orange]: This game is a space-themed adventure that teaches students about earning, spending, saving, and investing money.

Students have to travel to different planets and complete missions that involve financial decisions.

The game also provides students with quizzes, videos, and glossaries that explain the financial concepts.

These are some of the free financial literacy games for high school students that you can try online or download on your devices.

Playing these games can help you learn and practice financial literacy in a fun and engaging way.

You can also share these games with your friends, family, and teachers, and challenge them to improve their financial skills and habits.

Remember, financial literacy is not only a skill,

but also a mindset that can help you achieve your goals and dreams.

List of Online Games