We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Monopoly is a fun game enjoyed by many globally. Since its creation, there have been different versions of the game, ranging from online versions to card games and board games. You can play Monopoly on gaming consoles like the Playstation, where players can connect to play the game online.
If you’re wondering what age is proper for your child to play Monopoly, then you’re reading the right article. However, the age requirement for playing Monopoly depends on the version of Monopoly you buy. There are versions of Monopoly specially designed for children; you have to determine which is best for your child’s age range.
This article will discuss extensively the different versions of Monopoly for children. But first, here are some quick facts you need to know about Monopoly’s age range.
Quick Facts About Monopoly Age Range
- Children can play Monopoly
- There are versions specially made for children
- Children from age 4 can play Monopoly
- Children who know basic maths and words can play Monopoly
Monopoly Age Range
The age requirement for the Classic Monopoly game is 8 years and over. Children have different capabilities, which may greatly depend on their attention span and mathematical ability.
Sometimes, six-year-old kids can play Monopoly with some help, and others who are older may struggle. However, it’s always best for adults to join the game to help them if needed. This should be the custom until the kids can play efficiently independently.
If you think your child is too young to play Classic Monopoly, you should just get them the Monopoly Junior. This version of Monopoly is simplified, especially for kids. It has fewer property spaces compared to the Classic Monopoly board.
Aside from the Monopoly Junior, there are other versions of the game made for children. Note that there are versions of Monopoly that you want to keep out of reach. An example is the Gay Monopoly.
Monopoly Junior is an edition of the game made for children. It has fewer spaces and uses $1 notes. Unlike most versions of the Monopoly game, Monopoly Junior uses a die to ease the stress of mathematics. It’s, indeed, Monopoly for children!
The Best Monopoly Sets For Younger Kids (Ages 4 to 7)
Kids love games, but unlike some games you can play with almost zero technicality, Monopoly requires at least some level of reasoning. Although Hasbro mentions that Monopoly Junior is suitable for children aged five and over, younger children can also play.
My cousins are age four and seven, and they love playing Monopoly. For the youngest, Monopoly is a way to show his older brother that he’s more brilliant and does so gracefully. So, you see, there are no restrictions on learning to play Monopoly. After writing this article, I’ll teach my nephew how to play this game of life.
Although Monopoly Junior is for younger kids, the main problem with playing the Classic edition is understanding and calculation. If your kids easily grasp concepts and are good at maths, try teaching them to play the Classic edition.
Monopoly Junior
Many people know this version of Monopoly as ‘My First Monopoly Game.’ It is the kids’ version of the Classic Monopoly game that we love. This edition of the game has a few differences from the Classic edition. First, the board is smaller, and the banknotes differ greatly.
Monopoly Junior comes with $1 banknotes. All the tokens have faces. This version of Monopoly is much faster to play and typically ends within 30 minutes of gameplay. It has gained a reputation for being the fastest Monopoly board ever.
Even though kids enjoy playing Monopoly Junior, adults too can play this version of Monopoly. Especially when there are many players and you want fast games. The only difference is that payments will no longer cost as much as they would on the Classic board, and there are fewer spaces on the Monopoly Junior board. Generally, older kids and adults find this game super boring. Other than that, it’s entertaining for kids.
Suggested read: Monopoly House Rules – Extra Fun To Your Game
Another fun feature of Monopoly Junior is that kids land in kid-friendly places such as the Ice Cream Parlour and the zoo. Like most other versions of Monopoly, the player with the most money wins the game. When you unbox Monopoly Junior, therein, you’ll find the gameboard, 4 Junior tokens, 20 Chance cards, 48 Sold signs, 90 Monopoly banknotes, 1 die, 4 Who’s Your Token? Character cards and game guide. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players. However, Hasbro officially advised adults to help assemble and organize the game for the kids.
Note: Be vigilant when you allow children under 3 years to play the game. This is because of the choking hazard. The game includes small parts. Therefore, protect your kids when they play.
Here’s a video on how to set up Monopoly Junior
Versions of Monopoly Junior
Monopoly Junior Super Mario Edition
Monopoly Junior: Marvel Spidey and His Amazing Friends Edition
Monopoly Junior Trucks Edition
Monopoly Junior: Disney Princess Edition
Monopoly Junior: Dinosaur Edition
Monopoly Junior: Unicorn Edition
Monopoly Junior: Frozen Edition
The Best Monopoly Sets For Older Kids (Age 8 to 12)
Kids will likely get bored of the Monopoly Junior and its many editions as they age. This sudden change is due to their growth and the brain’s constant need for more complex things.
Thankfully, there are editions for kids 8 and older. Hasbro has created several versions of these games to spice things up for them. Some games are themed after their favorite movies and cartoons. These boards, although with fewer spaces, are still fun for children 8 and above.
Classic Monopoly
I often recommend that Monopoly lovers get the Classic Monopoly version. This version lets you focus on the game without distractions by characters. You also don’t have to deal with unusual rules and electronic banking.
You’ll thank me if you buy the Classic Monopoly version. It’s timeless and never goes out of fashion. You’ll keep it in the family for many generations. I have one handed to me from my grandfather.
Fun Monopoly Editions for Kids
Kids aged 8-12 love the Classic Monopoly Edition. However, you may want to try something different. Consider buying other versions of Monopoly suitable for their age in times like this. Here are a few of them.
Monopoly Ultimate Banking
Monopoly Speed
Monopoly Pixar Edition
Monopoly: Longest Game Ever
Playing Monopoly helps your kids in several ways. It helps them learn maths fast, teaches them reading, and most of all, negotiation skills. Aside from mental development, playing Monopoly helps keep the family together. Having fun as a family has never gotten better.
The Best Monopoly Sets For Teenagers
Teens are constantly on their gaming consoles; getting them off can be a lot of work. However, if your teens struggle with joining the family game nights, consider getting the Fortnite edition of Monopoly. This version is very similar to the Fortnite game; it lets you build walls and pick up health packs like in the actual game.
Getting this edition could be the solution to getting your teen off the screen, and it could be a lot of fun for the rest of the family.
Fun Monopoly Editions for Teens
Obviously, not everyone is a Fortnite fan, but other editions are great for teenagers and are a lot of fun.
Monopoly Simpsons Edition
Monopoly: Friends The TV Series
Monopoly Cheaters Edition
How Kids Should Play Monopoly
According to Gamesever.com, playing Monopoly or other board games is super beneficial to kids. There are 10 ways Monopoly can help your kids, and I’ll highlight them below.
1. Enhances Cognitive Development
Interacting with others while playing games can improve a child’s cognitive development. The more a child is exposed to games like Monopoly, the more they develop this superpower. The game gets your child thinking, and thinking is essential in understanding complex concepts, visualizing possible solutions, and communicating ideas effectively.
2. Teaches Money Management
The whole game of Monopoly is all about money management and property management. While playing, you need to earn money, keep money, and spend wisely. When children start playing Monopoly, they usually spend money investing in high-cost properties, which may not be ideal for their winning. As they progress, this could change as they begin to understand how best to spend while investing for higher return on investments. This skill developed from playing Monopoly can easily translate to real life. These kids will be better at handling money in real life.
3. Develops Decision-Making Skills
To be successful at a game of Monopoly, players must constantly think, negotiate, and decide on deals. This means that players think of the present and future benefits of deals and ensure they understand the possibilities of each decision. Children basically learn to think critically before making decisions. As they grow older, this skill can help them in other aspects of their lives.
4. Teaches Money Lending
In Monopoly, players can take loans from the bank. If a player sees that buying a property is to their advantage, they may take a loan from the bank to ensure they acquire the property. Although this concept is kept simple in the game, it teaches children the importance of loans and the responsibilities that accompany them. Children also learn the hard lesson that free things in life aren’t always exactly free. And that only strategy and hard work can help them pay back their loans.
5. Boosts Mathematical Skills
The basics of mathematics are addition and subtraction, and because money is involved, children will easily learn this from playing Monopoly. Younger children can learn counting from playing Monopoly. When a child has to move 5 spaces on the Monopoly board, they have to count the exact number of spaces in order to move their token. This enhances their arithmetic abilities and helps them sharpen their mathematical skills even faster.
6. Better Negotiation Skills
Negotiation skills are prerequisites in playing Monopoly. In fact, if a player has poor negotiation skills, winning the game becomes almost impossible for them. Children will learn that most times, negotiations have to go both ways. Both parties need to have something to gain, and it must be fair. Although fairness is relative, the parties involved need to ensure that their needs are satisfied to a reasonable extent. Gaining this skill will greatly help them in various aspects of their lives.
7. Cultivate a Positive View of Money
While growing up, children can develop a wrong attitude and attachment toward money. Especially as they observe adults constantly complain about the high cost of living and how impossible it is for ends to be met. When children play Monopoly and go through the scuffles of having their own money to manage, they may come to understand that sometimes going broke is for the greater good. They become more aware of investments and how they are better than having liquidity all the time. Overall, kids won’t become too attached to money. Living that way can save them a lot of stress and heartache.
8. Teaches Determination
All who play Monopoly have only one goal. To win the game. Without setting goals, and working hard to achieve them, winning the game would be far from possible. When children play Monopoly, they better understand how rewarding it is to set goals and work towards them.
9. Promote Family Bonding
Living in a world filled with many distractions and struggles definitely has its disadvantages. But playing Monopoly as a family can bridge the gap between children and their parents or among extended family members. According to several researches, having fun together as a family promotes unity and peace within the family. Children will readily discuss their problems with their fun mates rather than with a rigid parent. You want to be your kids’ fun mate.
10. Develops Patience
A game of Monopoly usually lasts at least 60 minutes, especially when played correctly. Monopoly games that do not include house rules typically end fast. When players decide to include house rules, the game duration could easily ramp up to 4 hours. For younger children, staying at a place can be quite difficult, but playing Monopoly teaches them patience. When kids are involved and engaged, they can be patient.
The Best Monopoly Sets For Adults
Reading this article, you’d think Monopoly is only for kids. But that’s incorrect. There are Monopoly versions for adults. And unlike the ones for kids, children are not allowed to play most of them. These editions are themed around sex, politics, drugs, and alcohol.
There are also premium editions designed with luxury wood. You definitely don’t want your kids messing with them.
In conclusion, Monopoly has done well in creating different editions for everyone, whether you’re a child, teen, or adult. The Monopoly Age Range isn’t limited; everyone can play
