How to play Coinville Race
Coinville Race is a free money board game for two players on one phone, tablet or computer. A parent and child can play together, or two kids can race each other. Each player picks an animal token, and the two pawns walk around a 20-square town path in the made-up town of Coinville. A game takes about 10 to 15 minutes and is made for ages 6 to 12 with a grown-up nearby.
- Roll the die. The child always goes first. Pass the device back and forth, and the screen always shows whose turn it is.
- Land on a square. Payday gives you pretend money, and you choose how much goes into your piggy first. Chores earn a few dollars. The Market asks you to pick the thing you NEED, and then lets you buy a "want" for a Fun Sticker. Surprise cards bring good and bad luck. The Bank pays a bonus when you already have savings. The Park gives a free Fun Sticker, and Family squares let you share with the Family Jar.
- Keep two places for your money. Your wallet is easy to spend. Your piggy is for saving. Money goes into the piggy only when you choose it, so saving is always a decision.
- Win like a happy saver. You win when your piggy reaches your goal and you hold 2 Fun Stickers. If the days run out first, the piggy that is closer to its own goal wins, and an equal share is a tie where you both win.
A fair game for a child and a grown-up
Everyone rolls the same die, so luck gives a six-year-old a real chance. For more fairness, the "Help for the kid" setting lowers the child's savings goal and raises the grown-up's. In simulated games where both players save sensibly, an even race is close to a coin flip, Gentle help gives the child about two wins in three, and Big help gives about three wins in four. Choices matter too: a player who keeps every dollar in the wallet and never saves usually loses to one who pays themselves first. There is also Team picnic, where you fill one Family Jar together before the days run out.
Stars for good habits
At the end, both players earn stars, so the child can do well even after losing the race. The Goal star is for winning the race or filling the jar. The Balance star is for having 2 Fun Stickers and most of the savings goal. The Team star is for giving or sharing at least $3 with the other player or the Family Jar.
Tips for parents
- Let your child decide first, then ask why. The Surprise cards show a short "Ask:" question you can read aloud, such as "Could we live without it?"
- Talk about the piggy and the wallet: which one is safer, and why does the game keep them apart?
- When a Surprise card takes money, point out that savings are there for surprises.
- Try Team picnic first with younger children, then move to the race.
- If you like the idea, try real jars or envelopes at home. This is a general idea, not advice, and every family decides what works for them.
Ready for more? Try the savings goal calculator or the budget tracker together, and see all of our money games for kids.
Pretend game. The money, the shops and the town are made up, for learning only. The game never asks for real money, and it is not financial advice. For age-by-age ideas from a U.S. government source, see Money as You Grow from the CFPB.
Frequently asked questions
Is the family money board game free?
Yes. It is free, has no sign-up and no ads, and it runs in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer.
What ages is it for?
It is made for kids about 6 to 12 playing with a grown-up. The screens use pictures and short words, and you can turn on "Read to me" in the grown-up settings if your device has a voice installed.
Can two kids play, and is there a team mode?
Yes to both. Choose "Two kids" for an even race with no help settings, or pick Team picnic so everyone works together to fill one Family Jar before the days run out.
Why do you need Fun Stickers to win?
If a player could win just by never spending anything, the game would teach the wrong lesson. Needing 2 Fun Stickers means saving and enjoying life both matter, and fun does not always cost money: the Park and some Surprise cards are free.
Does the game save names or collect information about my child?
No names, photos or typed text are asked for, and there are no cookies. Players are animal tokens. Your tokens, settings and the game in progress are saved only in your browser. We keep an anonymous count of finished games (the mode, the star count and how long it took), with nothing that identifies your child.
What does the game teach?
Paying yourself first, telling a need from a want, using savings as a safety net, and sharing with others. It is a game, not financial advice, and the numbers are made up for play.