In the lazy months of summer, when learning is not exactly paramount in kids’ minds, this might be the perfect time to introduce them to a new computer game that mirrors many of their favorite virtual worlds (i.e. Webkinz, Club Penguin), but with a valuable underlying objective…
MinyanLand is a new virtual world for kids that teaches them core lessons about financial management…
Launched earlier this year as a combined effort of the National Council on Economic Education, financial infotainment company Minyanville and family site network Kaboose, MinyanLand offers a fun world where kids can get experience with the four pillars of money: earning, spending, saving and giving. Targeted to kids in grades 3 to 6, there is no subscription fee to play (or a doll you have to buy first).
How Kids Play… and Learn:
Everyone starts out in MinyanLand with $50,000 in MinyanMoney and a condo worth $50,000 (clearly this condo is not located in any major U.S. metropolitan area). Kids can visit the ATM in the Bank of MinyanLand to invest their money, and then check back to see if their balance has gone up or down (were this to closely mirror the real world, this balance- checking part could get a little depressing; fortunately, we’re still talking child’s play).
Ratcheting up the parental value:
MinyanMoney can be earned by doing real-life chores you assign your kids, that can be “paid” via a Virtual Allowance here. As participation progresses, kids can actually ugrade their homes (for those budding little Trumps), invest in various MinyanLand industries, shop, and pay for it all by holding jobs. Coming later this year: an important giving component that will reward kids for philanthropic behavior.
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