Money Dash - From Daily Chaos to Disciplined Routines
If you've ever tried convincing your little one to leave the cozy confines of their bed at dawn, you're in good company. I often found myself negotiating like I was at a high-stakes peace talk, bargaining for 5 more minutes of sleep!
Then came the daily chores.
Picture this: my kid giving me the classic “Really, Mom?” look when I mentioned anything resembling a task. Whether it was arranging up toys or even just brushing their teeth, resistance was almost guaranteed.
Beyond the Chaos: A Missing Life Skill
Amidst the daily battles, I started to wonder: are we missing something essential in our kids' lives?
Sure, we can get them out of bed (eventually) and maybe even convince them to do a chore here and there, but what about teaching them something truly valuable?
I realized that while we were masters at managing the chaos, we were falling short in one crucial area called financial literacy.
Enter Game Mode: Financial literacy
Our kids were growing up in a world where money matters, yet the tools to understand and manage it were often wrapped up in boring lectures or outdated methods. We wanted to create something fun and engaging, where the very act of doing daily tasks could lead to real-life rewards and lessons about saving and spending smartly.
Imagine a world where your child gets excited about earning rewards, where doing chores becomes a game, and where saving up isn’t just a chore.
We needed a product that turned daily routines into fun, interactive activities while instilling essential life skills. And that’s how the idea for Money Dash was born.
Through all the morning struggles and chore battles, I started seeing the opportunity to create a bridge between daily life and life skills, a bridge built on fun, engagement, and real rewards.
Brainstorming: Sparking the Lightbulb Moments
Diving into the Kid's mind
We began by sitting down with a big cup of coffee (and maybe a cookie or two) to really understand what makes our little ones tick. Learned their play patterns, tantrums, and sudden bursts of energy weren’t just random, they had a rhythm all their own. We chatted with other parents and observed that while kids are masters at turning any mundane task into a dramatic event, they also have unique likes and dislikes that could be the key to engaging them.
This sparked the idea: why not turn everyday tasks into an adventure where every chore comes with its own mini celebration?
Finding insights from Scientific research
Next up was a deep dive into research. We combed through scientific studies and expert insights which revealed a surprising gap. Despite all the smart apps and tech tools, our kids were missing out on crucial life skills, Financial literacy in particular.
Even though the new curriculum has been wired to teach the very basics of currencies and coins, it's still a part of the Mathematics textbook and at the end of the day all they know is about the apples and oranges ‘Raju’ and ‘Radha’ have in their hands from those books.
It became clear that learning about money doesn’t have to be a snooze-fest filled with endless lectures. Instead, why not create an interactive, playful experience that subtly introduces them to money management?
Peeking at the Competition
Curiosity led me to explore existing products. Sure, there were games out there that rewarded kids with stickers or virtual coins after completing tasks. But none of these products made that vital connection between real-life money and the value of everyday achievements.
Sketching the Blueprint
With all these little insights, we hit the drawing board.
We envisioned a product that not only made chores fun but also taught our kids the art of saving and earning. The challenge was to blend play with real-life lessons, ensuring that every task completed could eventually lead to a tangible reward. That’s when the concept of Money Dash truly started to take shape, a game that transforms daily routines into a rewarding journey, complete with a board, task blocks, reward blocks, and even a piggy bank for that satisfying end-goal.
Brainstorming was a ride through referenced wild thoughts and logics. but every twist and turn confirmed one thing: there was a real need for something innovative, fun, and educational. And so, with a head full of ideas and a heart full of determination, I set out to bring Money Dash to life.
Prototyping: Money Dash V0.1
Choosing the Right Materials
The journey began with choosing materials that resonate with our values. After chatting with fellow parents, it was clear that sustainability mattered. We decided to kick off our prototype with a hard cardstock board (the trusty base for many classic board games).
It was cost-effective, eco-friendly, and gave us the perfect canvas to test our ideas.
Crafting the Game Board and Blocks
With our board in hand, we printed the layout featuring seven days on the top and eight horizontal slots for the task blocks along the side. For the task and reward blocks, we opted for Velcro to attach them to the board. This allowed kids to stick and unstick the blocks with ease, making the game interactive and hands-on.
Although we later discovered that Velcro might be a bit fiddly for tiny hands, it was an essential learning step in our prototyping phase.
Designing the Piggy Bank
No money game is complete without a piggy bank! We chose 3mm balsa wood sheets for a lightweight yet durable piggy bank. Using UV printing, we added fun, vibrant designs directly onto the wood, and with the precision of Co2 laser machines, each piece was cut perfectly. The final step was assembling everything with child-safe glue (because safety is our top priority).
The Joy and Jitters of Prototyping
This prototyping phase was a whirlwind of creativity, trial, and error. Each element, from the board to the piggy bank, brought us closer to understanding what would work best for our little ones. Even the challenges, like the tricky Velcro, provided invaluable insights that shaped the next iteration of Money Dash.
User Testing: Real-Life Trials and Honest Feedback
Stakeholder Testing
We kicked off user testing by sharing our prototype with a small group of fellow millennial parents and their little ones. Watching our product in action, rather than just on paper, was eye-opening.
We handed the board, task blocks, reward blocks, and piggy bank over to families eager to give Money Dash a spin. Their firsthand experiences laid the foundation for our next steps.
Observing the Little Champions
It was fascinating to see how the kids interacted with the board. One clear observation was that the Velcro, while innovative, proved to be a bit of a challenge for tiny fingers. Sometimes the blocks didn’t stick as firmly as we’d hoped and would come loose, making it tricky for kids to complete their game without a little help. We also noticed that the board needed to be more than just a tabletop feature.
It had to be visible and accessible, whether hanging in a bedroom or displayed in a common area.
Parent Feedback
The candid feedback from parents was invaluable. Many voiced concerns about the paper board design, emphasizing the need for something sturdier and long-lasting. They also suggested a more nuanced grading system for rewards, rather than the uniform "Good job" sticker approach we initially took. Color choices were another hot topic; parents leaned towards gender-neutral tones, ensuring the design would appeal to every child. This feedback was not just constructive, it was the spark that helped us refine and evolve Money Dash into something truly special.
Iterating the Design Based on User Feedback
From Paper to Soft Wood
After the initial testing phase, one resounding piece of feedback was clear: our paper board just wasn’t cutting it. Parents felt that the board needed to be sturdier and long-lasting, so I made the decision to switch to soft wood. This upgrade not only enhanced durability but also allowed for a sleek, eco-friendly design that could handle all the enthusiastic play sessions our little ones could throw at it.
Boosting Accessibility and Visibility
Another insight that really stood out was the need for the board to be more than just a table centerpiece, it needed to be a constant, engaging presence in the home.
To make that happen, we added strong magnets to the back, so the board could easily attach to refrigerators or any metal surface. Plus, we incorporated provisions for wall hanging with sticky nail hooks and threads, ensuring that Money Dash is always visible, whether in a playroom or the kitchen.
Revamping the Reward System
Our first version featured reward blocks with a generic “Good job” or “Awesome” message, but feedback from parents hinted that this approach lacked the excitement and clarity needed to really motivate the kids. So, we reimagined our reward blocks with a tiered system;1-star, 2-star, and 3-star blocks, each with unique, gender-neutral designs. This change not only made the rewards more engaging but also helped kids understand and strive for incremental achievements.
Piggy Bank as a Testament
Some parents have an opinion about the current piggy bank design that it is too childish to be present in a cozy living space. They are willing to pay more for a more premium material and design which is aesthetically fitting in a cozy living room and playfully fits in the kids wall shelf.
We designed a minimal yet playful design of animal characters and carved that in quality wood. It has a smooth and flowing design that can blend in any cozy living room.
Every bit of feedback was a stepping stone to a better product. Iterating on our design was like fine-tuning a recipe.
Let's Hear it from the Parents Who Tested ‘Money Dash’
Transformative Impact on Daily Routines
The game has transformed the once-dreaded daily routine into an engaging and fun challenge. Kids are now not only participating in chores, they’re actually looking forward to earning their rewards
Noticeable Behavioral Changes
There is a real shift in children’s behavior. Whether it’s tidying up their room or brushing their teeth, these small victories have sparked a newfound sense of responsibility and independence.
Clever Engagement Techniques
Parents are using creative strategies to keep their kids hooked on Money Dash. Some have shared that they offer extra reward points for tasks their kids already enjoy, which builds instant excitement. Others ramp up the rewards early on, so children quickly see noticeable benefits, then gradually adjust the points as the kids develop a steady routine.