ALA, in partnership with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, has introduced four new online games to their collection of free resources designed to teach children fundamental financial skills, including earning, saving and spending money.
The new games supplement the Thinking Money for Kids Program Kit received by 300 libraries across the country. The free games allow for more libraries to bring fun ways to learn about money to a larger number of families. Library workers are invited to use the games for in-person or virtual programming or to share them on library websites or social media. Additional financial literacy resources for library workers, including model programs and professional development, are available at Smart investing@your library.
The four new interactive games, recommended for ages 5 and up, are available now on tm4k.ala.org:
 | Penny Pinchers' Party: You are the best party planner in town, and your friends want your help. Choose from free items or buy new things online as you create the perfect party on a budget. |
 | Pet Cents: Pets are great, but it costs money to take care of them. Watch your available funds, and buy things your pet needs and wants to keep it happy. |
 | Making Mooo-lah: Do you think you have what it takes to manage a farm and make strategic financial decisions? |
 | Currency Catcher: "Currency" means money -- both paper money and coins. In these challenges, learn about bills, coins, and what they are worth. |
The previous games include:
 | Earning It: Select Grace, Emma, or Kenji to follow their story and learn how they transformed their childhood interests into successful careers. |
 | Balance my Budget: A budget is a plan for using and saving the money available to us. Can you sort through wants and needs to balance a $300 budget? |
 | Money Trail: Every day, we make decisions about earning, saving, and spending money. Starting with $500 in your account, follow your own Money Trail. |
 | Let's Deal: Follow Jayden's journey at a farmers’ market as he tries to swap goods and learn about money. |
Thinking Money for Kids is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office. To learn about future Public Programs Office grant and exhibit offerings, sign up for ALA’s Programming Librarian newsletter.
