There’s something irresistible about a bakery — the cakes, the cupcakes, the smell of fresh bread. For children, running a bakery combines the appeal of treats with the satisfaction of being in charge.
In myplayshop’s bakery, your child is the baker and the shopkeeper. Customers come in wanting cupcakes, bread, and croissants. Your child rings them up, takes the money, and gives the right change.
Why Kids Love the Bakery
The bakery is one of myplayshop’s most popular shops, and it’s easy to see why:
- The products are exciting — Cakes and cupcakes beat broccoli every time
- The prices are friendly — Bakery items tend to have manageable prices (a cupcake for $1.50 is easier to work with than a £47.99 toy)
- The maths is accessible — Smaller prices mean simpler totals, making it perfect for younger or less confident children
A Gentle Start for Money Maths
If your child is new to money games, the bakery is an ideal starting point. Here’s why:
Lower prices = simpler sums. A customer buying two cupcakes and a cookie might spend $4.50. That’s much less intimidating than a $15 grocery shop.
Fewer product types. The bakery has a focused range, so your child isn’t overwhelmed by choice. They learn the prices quickly and can start calculating faster.
Quick transactions. Bakery customers tend to buy just a few items. Each transaction is short, giving your child more practice rounds in the same time.
What Happens in the Bakery
- The shop opens — The bakery is stocked with cakes, bread, pastries, and treats, each with a price tag
- Customers arrive — They want a selection of baked goods
- Your child scans items — Each item adds to the register total
- Payment time — The customer hands over coins and notes
- Give change — Your child selects the right coins to give back
- KA-CHING! — Another happy customer served
Bakery Maths in Action
Here’s a typical bakery transaction:
- Cupcake: $1.50
- Bread loaf: $2.00
- Cookie: $0.75
- Total: $4.25
- Customer pays with: $5.00
- Change needed: $0.75
Your child needs to: add three prices, confirm the total, compare it to the payment, calculate the difference, and select the right coins. That’s five mathematical steps in one natural interaction.
Perfect for Younger Players
The bakery’s smaller prices make it especially good for:
- Ages 4–5 — Scanning items and hearing prices. Beginning to recognise that each item costs something different
- Ages 5–6 — Adding two or three small prices. Starting to count coins to match the total
- Ages 6–7 — Handling full transactions including change. Building speed and confidence
For older children (8–10), the bakery is still enjoyable but you might suggest they try the supermarket or toy shop for a bigger challenge.
From Bakery to Real Life
- Bake together and price it — Make real cupcakes, then set up a pretend bakery at home with price tags. Use real coins to buy and sell
- Visit a real bakery — Let your child order and pay. Talk about the prices and the change
- Compare prices — “A cupcake in your game costs $1.50. This one at the shop costs $3. Which is more expensive? How much more?”