Kindergarten is when many children first encounter money as more than shiny objects. They start to understand that coins have value, that shops exchange money for goods, and that some things cost more than others.
A money game at this stage shouldn’t drill arithmetic. It should build familiarity, curiosity, and confidence. myplayshop does exactly that.
What Kindergarteners Are Ready For
At ages 4–6, children are developing:
- One-to-one counting — Pointing to each coin and counting it
- Number recognition — Reading the numbers on price tags
- Sorting and categorising — Grouping coins by type
- Understanding “more” and “less” — A cake costs more than a cookie
- The concept of exchange — You give money, you get something
These aren’t advanced maths skills — they’re the foundations that make later money maths possible.
How myplayshop Supports Kindergarteners
The Shop Is the Hook
Kindergarteners love pretend play. Choosing a shop (bakery? ice cream? pet shop?), seeing the products, and “running” the store is intrinsically motivating. The money aspect is woven in, not bolted on.
Scanning Is Satisfying
Tapping each item to scan it and watching it appear on the register is the perfect interaction for this age. It’s physical, visual, and rewarding — with a sound effect that makes children smile.
Coins Are Real
The coins in myplayshop look like real coins from your child’s country. This builds recognition: “I know that coin — it’s a quarter!” or “That’s the coin Mummy uses for the trolley!”
No Pressure
There’s no timer, no penalty for wrong answers, and no way to “lose.” Kindergarteners can explore at their own pace, and the change-making aspect is there when they’re ready for it — not before.
A Kindergarten Session Might Look Like
- Choosing the shop (1 minute) — “I want the ice cream shop!”
- Scanning items (3–4 minutes) — Tapping ice cream scoops, watching the total grow
- Looking at the money (1–2 minutes) — “That’s a big coin! What number is on it?”
- Trying to pay (1–2 minutes) — With help, matching coins to the total
- KA-CHING! — The reward sound that makes them want to play again
Total: about 8 minutes. Perfect for a kindergarten attention span.
For Parents
- Play together — Your narration is the learning: “The cupcake costs one dollar. Can you find the coin with a 1 on it?”
- Repeat, repeat, repeat — Kindergarteners learn through repetition. Playing the same shop multiple times isn’t boring — it’s effective
- Follow their lead — If they just want to scan items and ignore the money, that’s fine. Familiarity comes first
- Use the bakery or ice cream shop — Simplest prices, shortest transactions, most appealing products
For Kindergarten Teachers
myplayshop works well as a maths centre activity:
- No logins or accounts needed
- Works on classroom iPads and Chromebooks
- Students can play independently or in pairs
- Supports the “money” strand of early years maths curricula
- Available in 12 languages for multilingual classrooms