What is gamification and how can It teach financial skills?

Modak
February 20, 2025

Main takeaways

✅ Gamification turns financial learning into fun challenges, keeping kids motivated to build healthy money habits.

💰 Savings challenges and expense tracking help kids practice budgeting and smart spending in a low-risk way.

🚀 MBX rewards, Walk to Earn, and chores teach financial independence through real-world experiences.

Imagine a world where learning about money feels like playing a game. Intriguing, right? Gamification can make financial literacy more engaging by turning topics like saving, budgeting, and earning into interactive and rewarding experiences. But how does gamification work, and why is it so effective in teaching financial skills? Stick around, and you’ll see how Modak Makers leverages these techniques to empower kids and teens while making financial education fun and practical.

What is gamification?

According to Merriam-Webster, gamification is 'the process of adding games or gamelike elements to something (such as a task) so as to encourage participation. Think about earning points for completing tasks, unlocking badges for milestones, or progressing through levels as you learn. Originally popular in video games, these techniques have now found applications in areas like education, fitness, and personal finance.

Monopoly board game

Gamification in education

Using gamification in the classroom has proven to increase motivation, retention, and understanding. Instead of rote learning, students actively participate in activities that reward their progress. For instance, quizzes with leaderboards or interactive lessons with badges keep learning exciting.

Gamification in financial skills

Gamification for financial skills takes this concept one step further—turning complex financial principles into easy-to-understand, hands-on learning experiences. Through engaging apps and platforms, users can practice saving, spending, and goal-setting in a simulated environment with real-life implications.

Why is gamification effective for financial literacy?

Gamification taps into human psychology, making learning enjoyable and motivating by creating:

  1. Instant Feedback: Rewards, points, and progress indicators help users see their achievements immediately.
  2. Friendly Competition: Leaderboards and peer comparisons drive engagement.
  3. A Sense of Accomplishment: Unlocking badges or leveling up creates a tangible sense of success.
  4. Habit Formation: Repetition of small actions, like daily goals, builds sustainable habits.

Make money management fun & easy for kids!

✅ Kids earn MBX rewards through challenges, chores, and savings goals, turning money management into a game.

💳 With a Visa® debit card, savings goals, and payment links, Modak helps kids develop real-world financial skills.

🚀 Features like Walk to Earn and chore-based earnings teach responsibility while making learning engaging.

Start your financial journey now!

Everything you need, fast, safe and simple.

How does gamification teach financial skills?

Simulating real-life scenarios

Gamification apps allow users to practice real-world financial scenarios in a low-stakes environment. For example, saving virtual currency for a "big purchase" mirrors the discipline needed for saving in real life.

Encouraging smart money choices

Interactive challenges like budgeting games or spending controls teach users to differentiate between needs and wants.

Building consistency through rewards

Gamified financial tools, such as Modak Makers, reinforce good financial habits with consistent rewards. Kids can complete chores, achieve savings goals, or meet daily walking targets to earn in-app currency like MBX.1

Examples of gamification in financial literacy

  1. Savings Challenges: Apps reward users for setting and reaching financial goals, encouraging consistency.
  2. Expense Tracking Games: Players track virtual or real expenses to stay within their budget and earn points.
  3. Interactive Quizzes: Fun, timed quizzes teach financial concepts like interest rates and compound savings.

Financial literacy gamification: How Modak makes learning fun?

At Modak, we understand that teaching financial literacy isn’t just about delivering lessons; it’s about engaging kids and teens in ways they understand. That’s why our app is packed with gamification features to make learning both effective and fun.

Earn MBX through challenges

Kids can earn MBX (Modak Bonus Points), which convert directly to dollars, by completing daily tasks and challenges.1 This helps them understand the value of effort and consistency.

Mom and son spending quality time together.

“Walk to earn” for healthy habits

One of our standout features, Walk to earn2, rewards kids with points for reaching walking goals. With up to 70 MBX available weekly, this feature promotes physical activity and financial awareness simultaneously.

Reward-based learning

Whether it’s completing a chore or saving toward a custom goal, Modak ensures that every effort counts. The instant feedback and real rewards keep kids motivated while teaching them critical financial habits.

FAQs about gamification in finance

What is gamification in finance?

Gamification in finance involves applying game elements like points, levels, and rewards to financial activities. It makes learning about money engaging and practical.

Can elements of gamification be used to enhance learning about finance?

Absolutely! Gamification enhances financial learning by creating interactive and enjoyable experiences. Challenges, rewards, and real-world simulations make complex topics accessible and engaging.

What is gamification of financial goals?

This refers to turning savings or spending goals into a game. Users can set objectives, track progress, and earn rewards for achieving milestones.

What is gamification and why is it important?

Gamification makes learning more engaging and effective by leveraging human psychology. In finance, it teaches essential skills like budgeting and saving in a way that’s enjoyable and memorable.

Why choose Modak for gamified financial learning?

With Modak, kids and teens don’t just learn about money—they live it. By combining gamification with practical tools like debit cards3, savings goals, and chore management, we create an immersive financial education experience.

  • Earn real money by completing chores or walking daily.
  • Learn to save for meaningful goals.
  • Gain independence with tools like payment links and direct deposits.

Ready to transform your child’s financial future? Download Modak today and start your journey with financial literacy gamification!

  1. 100 MBX = $1(as of June 2024). This is an approximation and not a guaranteed result. For more information on MBX, click here.
  2. Walking 5,000 steps a day gives users 10MBX (as of Jan 2025). This is subject to change at Modak’s discretion
  3. Modak is a financial technology company and not a FDIC-insured bank. Checking account and the Modak Visa® debit card issued by Lewis & Clark Bank, Member FDIC.
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