Gaming Expert Reveals What Kids Are Actually Asking for as Pocket Money In 2025
How to turn gaming currency and subscription requests into valuable money lessons
Gone are the days when kids simply asked for a few dollars to spend at the corner store. Today’s children are making pocket money requests that sound more like a tech shopping list – Robux for Roblox, V-Bucks for Fortnite, Spotify subscriptions, and digital gift cards. While these requests might seem foreign to parents who grew up with physical coins and bills, they represent a significant opportunity for financial education.
Faye Hwang, Business Development Manager at LDShop, a global game top-up platform, has witnessed firsthand how young people interact with digital currencies and virtual economies. “Kids today understand value in ways that might surprise parents,” she explains. “They know exactly how much a battle pass costs, they compare prices across platforms, and they’re already making complex decisions about digital versus physical purchases.”
This shift in how children think about money presents parents with a unique chance to teach financial literacy through something their kids actually care about. Rather than dismissing these digital requests, savvy parents can use them as stepping stones to important money lessons.
Below, Hwang lists the types of allowance that kids are requesting in 2025, and explains the psychology behind it and how parents can use these requests to educate their children.
What Kids Are Actually Asking For in 2025
- Gaming Currency and Credits
The biggest shift in pocket money requests centers on in-game currencies. Kids are asking for Robux to customize their Roblox avatars, V-Bucks to unlock Fortnite skins, and credits for games like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail. These aren’t just frivolous purchases either; children are learning about virtual economies, seasonal sales, and the difference between cosmetic items and gameplay advantages.
“When a child asks for 1,000 V-Bucks, they’ve calculated exactly what they want to buy,” notes Hwang. “They’ve calculated exactly what they want to buy, compared different bundles, and often waited for the right time to make their request.”
- Streaming Service Subscriptions
YouTube Premium, Spotify, Netflix, and Disney+ subscriptions top many kids’ wish lists. They understand the value of ad-free experiences and exclusive content. More importantly, they’re grappling with the concept of recurring payments versus one-time purchases.
- Prepaid Debit Card Top-Ups
Teens are often requesting money to load onto prepaid debit cards or digital wallets. This represents a sophisticated understanding of financial tools and the convenience of cashless transactions.
- Digital Gift Cards
Amazon, Apple, Google Play, and Steam gift cards are popular requests. Kids appreciate the flexibility these provide and often use them strategically during sales events.
- Battle Passes and Season Passes
These time-limited purchases teach kids about opportunity cost and planning ahead. They learn that missing a season means missing exclusive content forever.
- Subscription Boxes and Online Services
From gaming subscription services to creative platforms like Procreate or Adobe Creative Cloud, kids are asking for access to tools and experiences rather than just entertainment.
What This Reveals About Modern Kids
These requests show that today’s children have a sophisticated understanding of digital value, convenience, and ownership. They know the difference between buying something outright and subscribing to a service. They understand that digital items can have real value and that timing purchases around sales can stretch their money further.
“Kids today are natural comparison shoppers,” Hwang observes. “They’ll research prices across multiple platforms before making a purchase decision. This behavior shows they’re already developing smart spending habits.”
Turning Digital Requests Into Financial Learning
Hwang believes these modern pocket money requests can become powerful teaching moments with the right approach. Below, she shares three strategies parents can use to turn digital spending into financial education.
- Set Clear Budgets for Digital vs Physical Spending
Help kids understand that digital purchases should be part of a balanced spending plan. Create categories for gaming, subscriptions, and physical items. This teaches them that money spent on V-Bucks means less available for other things.
“Parents can use budgeting apps or simple spreadsheets to show kids how their choices affect their overall spending,” suggests Hwang. “When they see their gaming budget visually, they make more thoughtful decisions.”
- Introduce Saving Goals and Track Progress Together
If your child wants an expensive skin or battle pass, help them save for it over time. This teaches delayed gratification and goal-setting. Create a visual tracker showing their progress toward their gaming goals.
- Create “Earning” Opportunities Tied to Chores or Milestones
Link digital currency rewards to completed tasks or achievements. This connection between work and reward mirrors real-world financial principles. Kids learn that money comes from effort, not just requests.
Faye Hwang, Business Development Manager at LDShop, commented:
“Pocket money today is less about cash and more about choices, and parents need to guide how those choices are made. The digital economy isn’t going anywhere, and instead is becoming the primary way young people interact with money. Instead of fighting this trend, parents should embrace it as a teaching tool.
“What’s fascinating is that kids often understand digital value better than adults give them credit for. They know that spending $10 on a game they’ll play for months offers better value than a toy they’ll use once. They’re already thinking about cost-per-use and long-term enjoyment.
“The key is helping them apply these same analytical skills to all their financial decisions. When parents engage with their children’s digital spending requests thoughtfully, they’re building the foundation for lifelong financial literacy. The child who learns to budget for Robux today will be better equipped to budget for rent tomorrow.”
