Before the age of smartphones and online gaming, teaching kids how to save came in the form of a piggy bank sitting in their bedroom. Now,that age-oldpiggy bank is moving to the digital world, powered byapps.

Mia Wenjen, the blogger behind PragmaticMom, says the current financial climate, with the Great Recession still fresh on our mindsand students dealing with high debt loads,makes it more important than ever to teach children how to save and budget. “You sort of realize you have to teach it at a very young age,” Wenjen says.She recommends parents begin teaching children about finance around 5 or 6 years old, or at leastwhen the childcan start noticing money and asking about it.

However, studies show that parents feel awkward when it comes to talking to their children about money. Although the best way for children to learn finance skills is to handle real money, saysNancy Phillips, author and financial blogger of Zela Wela Kids, apps provide opportunities for parents to start discussions with their kids about saving and budgeting.

Apps play an important role in that …they’re getting the parents to open up this topic in the home,”Philipssays.

Below, personal finance experts recommend apps that help children learn smart moneyskills, which will putless stress on mom and dad’s wallet.

1. Savings Spree

Developed by financial education companyMoney Savvy Generation, Savings Spree teaches children important finance skills. The app includes six games that allowplayers toearn money and either save it or spend it in a virtual piggy bank, with the goal of building a nest egg.

“Savings spree is very visual,” says Susan Beacham, founder and CEO of Money Savvy Generation. “It’s an interactive app that actually allows the kids to frost the cupcakes, so they can see there is an action required to earn the money.” By making decisions on how to save, spend and invest their money, children learn the consequences of each money decision.

Cost: $5.99. Available on iOS devices.

Recommended ages: 7 and up

2. PiggyBot

This app takes the clay piggy-bank experience and moves it into a digital medium. According to Christine Elgersma, a senioreditor ofapps and digital learning at Common Sense Media, PiggyBot gives children a direct role in managing their allowances and helps them visualize how much money mom and dad give them.

A simple, visual piggy bank is ideal for children, Wenjen says, since they can see exactly how much of their budget they earn and spend. “For kids, hands on is better, because money is already an abstract concept for them,”she adds.

Cost:Free. Available on iOS devices.

Recommended ages: 6to8

3. Green$treets: Unleash the Loot!

This game allows children to rescue their favorite endangered animal while learning financial literacy along the way. Using a budget, players can buy an animal food, shelter and toys to play with before the animal is released back into the wild.

Neale Godfrey, CEO and president of Green$treet Commons, saysthe game helps children form a relationship with the animal, which gives them an incentive to budget wisely and reach their goal. “They are emotionally engaging with this …” Godfrey says. “We have longer game play[time]than most apps.”

Cost: Free. Available on iOS and Android devices.

Recommended ages: 5to8

4. Renegade Buggies

Renegade buggies is a fast-paced shopping game that challenges children to save as much money as they can. As kids complete stages within the game, they accumulate “buggie bucks” that they canuse tomake saving and investment decisions.

Philips recommends the app, explaining it was developed by the National Center for Families Learning to encouragemoney discussions between parents and children. “And it’s a race, so it’s fun,” she adds.

Cost: Free. Available on iOS and Android devices.

Recommended ages:6 to 11

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