Celebrating young coders who turned budgeting into brilliant games.
This year’s Young Coders Competition set a clear challenge, “Budgeting Better” with the aim of creating a game that helps players learn how to manage their money wisely.
Young coders across the UK, and beyond rose to the occasion, turning financial know-how into playful, imaginative adventures. The results were nothing short of inspiring! From an alien saving for a spaceship to a duck working towards a new bike, these winning games prove that budgeting is a fun skill you can practise and enjoy.
Here’s a closer look at this year’s winners, what makes their games special.
Croydon High School: Alice's Budgeting Game
Follow the adventures of Gobo, a friendly alien stranded far from home. His only hope of returning to his planet is to buy a spaceship, but first, he needs to save up enough money for it. Players help Gobo earn coins through small tasks and clever choices, deciding when to spend on essentials and when to save for the big goal.
Holy Trinity CE Primary School: Get Rich Quack
Ducky has a simple mission: earn enough money from household chores to buy a shiny new bike. In Get Rich Quack, players take on challenges to collect coins, save them, and work steadily towards that big reward. From tidying up the house to making smart spending choices, every action shows how small efforts add up.
Sehit Mehmet Cetin Imam Hatip Ortaokulu (Turkey)
Players can pick a character and set out on a series of tasks and quests, from helping mum at home to protecting the environment, all while earning coins for their safe to later decide what to spend it on in the shop. Colourful, imaginative, and packed with variety, this game blends fun challenges with an important message, your money is worth protecting.
KS2
Kyleakin Primary School: ShopSaver
ShopSaver encourages children to think before they spend, highlighting the difference between needs and wants. Through storytelling and choices, it helps players understand value and how to manage limited funds.
KS3
The Tiffin's Girl School: Save Money and Reach Targets (SMART)
This impressive, customisable game teaches budgeting through everyday actions—earning money, staying energised, and making trade-offs. It’s a smart way to show how time, money, and wellbeing all work together.
KS2
Chorister School: Blobby Budgeting
Blobby Budgeting asks players to balance happiness, health and money over a week of decisions. It’s a powerful, playful way to explore what really matters—and how every spending choice has consequences.
KS3
Waldegrave School: Budget World
This mini-game-packed experience gets players thinking about how they earn and spend—from chores to shopping trips. It’s a fun, practical way to learn how money flows and the power of a plan.
Congratulations to all this year’s winners and to every entrant who took part. You’ve shown that budgeting can be exciting, creative, and full of heart. Your games will help other children learn to earn, save, and spend wisely, and that’s a skill that will last a lifetime.
We can’t wait to see what you dream up next year. Until then, keep coding, keep creating, and keep thinking smart about money.