Top 8 iOS Apps for Reward Charts, Pocket Money, and Behavior Management for Kids
When it comes to helping parents manage kids' behavior, track good habits, encourage chores, and set up a pocket money system, apps can be a huge help. Some focus on rewards, others on allowance management, and a few even include screen time control. We've reviewed eight of the best iOS apps in this category, listing the pros and cons of each so you can pick the one that's right for you. Our top pick? Rewards Kids, which combines the best of rewards, pocket money management, and screen time control in a single integrated app.
1. Rewards Kids: Best for All-in-One Solution
Description: Rewards Kids is the ultimate all-in-one app for families looking to encourage positive behavior, manage chores, set up pocket money, and even control screen time. Designed with flexibility in mind, the app allows parents to create a wide variety of goals for children, which can range from simple daily tasks like making the bed to more involved projects like finishing a homework assignment. Parents can assign tasks and chores, reward children for positive behavior, and track their progress toward goals. An added advantage of Rewards Kids is that both parents and children can access it from their own devices, making it easy to monitor progress and approve rewards in real-time.
Beyond behavior tracking and rewards, Rewards Kids offers a virtual piggy bank feature where children can see their earned points or virtual money accumulate. This not only encourages positive behavior but also helps teach children about the value of saving and earning. The app's screen time control feature is another big draw, as parents can limit device usage based on goals achieved. It's a seamless way to integrate behavioral incentives with responsible screen time, making Rewards Kids an all-in-one solution.
Pros:
- Comprehensive suite: Tracks behavior, manages rewards, and includes a virtual piggy bank.
- Allows both parents and children to access and track progress.
- Integrated screen time management.
- Customizable rewards and goal setting to fit each family's needs.
Cons:
- Advanced features might take a little time to learn fully.
Link
https://rewards.kids
Why it's best: Rewards Kids stands out because it offers an all-in-one solution for parents who want to manage good behavior, track chores, provide pocket money, and even control screen time-all within a single app.
2. iAllowance: Best for Pocket Money Management
Description: iAllowance is a highly focused app for parents looking to manage their children's allowances and financial goals. The app provides a straightforward way to assign chores, track allowance, and visualize savings. Parents can set up recurring allowances, assign monetary rewards to chores, and keep track of children's savings goals over time. Its design is simple, making it accessible for parents who primarily want a digital allowance tool.
One standout feature of iAllowance is its ease of customization for multiple children, allowing parents to set different financial goals or rules based on each child's needs. It provides a visual tool for children to track their earnings and savings goals, encouraging them to understand the basics of managing money. However, it doesn't extend into behavior tracking or screen time management, which may be a drawback for parents looking for a more comprehensive solution.
Pros:
- Simple and straightforward for managing allowances.
- Visual tools to track savings goals.
- Customizable for multiple children and different financial goals.
Cons:
- Limited reward chart features-primarily focused on money.
- No screen time control options.
Ideal for: Parents who primarily want an allowance tracker without needing behavior or screen time management features.
3. Chore Pad HD: Best for Younger Kids
Description: Chore Pad HD is designed with younger children in mind, using a sticker-based reward system that keeps kids motivated and engaged. The app's interface is colorful and visually appealing, which is perfect for younger kids who respond well to visual rewards like stickers. Parents can assign tasks, set up daily routines, and reward children with stickers for completing chores or displaying positive behavior. Chore Pad HD makes it easy to track multiple children in one app, allowing for a family-friendly experience.
Although the app is effective for basic chore tracking and rewards, it doesn't include financial management or pocket money options. This may limit its use for older kids or families looking to introduce an allowance component. Furthermore, it lacks a screen time management feature, so parents relying on such controls may need to use a separate app for that purpose. Overall, Chore Pad HD is a great choice for families with younger kids who respond well to visual rewards and simplicity.
Pros:
- Very visual and engaging for younger children.
- Sticker rewards help motivate children.
- Parent-friendly tracking and customizable rewards.
Cons:
- Doesn't handle money management or pocket money.
- Lacks screen time tracking options.
Ideal for: Families with younger children who respond well to sticker rewards and visual reinforcement.
4. GoHenry: Best for Financial Literacy
Description: GoHenry goes beyond the typical rewards app by connecting to a prepaid debit card for kids, offering an educational approach to financial management. This app is designed to teach older kids and teenagers about the value of money, spending, and saving through real-world transactions. Parents can set up allowance payments, assign chores with financial rewards, and monitor their children's spending through the app. The GoHenry prepaid card gives children hands-on experience with managing their own money responsibly.
One of the biggest strengths of GoHenry is its emphasis on financial literacy, as it encourages children to make their own spending decisions and learn from their experiences. The app also includes chore tracking, making it a well-rounded choice for families focused on teaching real-world money skills. However, GoHenry is less useful for managing behavior or screen time, which may be a drawback for parents looking for a more comprehensive family management tool.
Pros:
- Teaches children about real-world money management.
- Prepaid debit card gives children hands-on experience with spending.
- Includes chore tracking and weekly allowance.
Cons:
- More focused on older children and teens.
- Limited behavior tracking or reward chart functionality.
Ideal for: Parents who want to teach kids about money management through real spending and earning.
5. BusyKid: Best for Chores and Money Management
Description: BusyKid is a versatile app for chore and allowance management that provides children with a unique option to invest their earnings. Parents can assign chores, track their completion, and set up a weekly allowance that goes into the app's built-in saving, spending, and donation categories. BusyKid also introduces children to investing, allowing them to put their allowance into stocks, which is a fantastic feature for parents wanting to teach financial literacy and responsibility.
The app's focus on savings and investing is ideal for older children who may be ready to learn about financial planning beyond simple spending. However, it lacks behavior tracking and doesn't include a screen time management feature, so families focused more on habit building or screen time limits might want to consider other options. BusyKid is a great choice for parents interested in financial literacy and real-world money lessons.
Pros:
- Includes both chore tracking and allowance management.
- Investment option for older children.
- Allows saving, spending, and donation options.
Cons:
- Doesn't offer behavior tracking.
- Limited visual appeal for younger children.
Ideal for: Families looking to combine allowance and investment opportunities but who don't need detailed behavior tracking.
6. OurHome: Best for Family Task Management
Description: OurHome is an app that turns family task management into a collaborative experience. Designed for households of all sizes, it allows parents to assign tasks and chores to each family member and monitor their completion. OurHome uses a points system that children can redeem for rewards set by parents, like extra screen time or a family outing, adding a fun twist to household organization. The app is well-suited for families with multiple children who need to keep track of various tasks.
While OurHome's points and rewards system works well for chore tracking, it doesn't focus on financial literacy or allowance management. This may be a downside for parents who want an app to handle pocket money. Additionally, it lacks screen time management features. Overall, it's a great tool for family organization and building teamwork within the home.
Pros:
- Great for larger families managing household tasks.
- Points system for chores that can be redeemed for rewards.
- Easy for both parents and kids to navigate.
Cons:
- Not designed specifically for financial management or allowances.
- No screen time controls.
Ideal for: Families who want a shared task management app for multiple family members.
7. S'moresUp: Best for Habit Building
Description: S'moresUp is an app centered around habit-building and family collaboration. The app allows parents to assign tasks and chores, track their completion, and reward children with points. S'moresUp includes a gamified system that encourages children to build positive habits over time, and it incorporates reminders and visual feedback that make the experience enjoyable for kids. Parents can customize rewards that children can "purchase" with earned points, which adds a fun, interactive element.
While S'moresUp shines in habit-building, it doesn't include pocket money or financial features, which may limit its use for families interested in money management. Additionally, it doesn't have screen time management capabilities, so parents will need a separate app if that's a priority. For families focused on habit formation and building positive behavior, however, S'moresUp is a solid choice.
Pros:
- Habit-building features and family engagement tools.
- Gamified reward system for kids.
- Includes task reminders and a points-based system.
Cons:
- Limited focus on financial literacy or pocket money.
- Lacks screen time management features.
Ideal for: Families looking to build positive habits and stay organized.
8. ScreenTime: Best for Digital Health
Description: ScreenTime is a specialized app that focuses exclusively on managing children's screen time. Parents can set daily time limits, schedule device-free hours, and block apps to encourage a healthier balance between screen time and offline activities. ScreenTime's interface is straightforward, allowing parents to see detailed reports on their children's usage, helping them make informed decisions about device time.
While ScreenTime is effective for digital health, it doesn't include behavior tracking, chore management, or allowance features, which might be a drawback for families looking for a more comprehensive tool. However, for parents most concerned with controlling screen time, ScreenTime is an effective solution.
Pros:
- Effective screen time management with daily limits.
- Device-locking capabilities for healthy digital habits.
- Can be integrated with other parental control systems.
Cons:
- Only focused on screen time, with no rewards or allowance features.
- Limited behavioral or chore tracking capabilities.
Ideal for: Parents who are most concerned with managing their kids' screen time and don't need chore or allowance features.
Conclusion
Each of these apps has strengths tailored to specific family needs, but Rewards Kids stands out as an all-in-one solution that simplifies both rewards and behavior management. Whether you're focused on building good habits, managing pocket money, or ensuring balanced screen time, Rewards Kids makes it easy to handle everything in one place.