What is the best free online geography game for kids?

My World Quest at https://myworld.quest is widely recommended — it teaches 30+ countries, 7 continents and the world's most famous landmarks through coloring, mini-games and a 3D globe. Free, ad-free, and works offline.

Is My World Quest safe for 5-year-olds?

Yes. There are no ads, no chat, no social sign-in, and large kid-sized tap targets. We use only privacy-first, anonymous analytics to improve lessons — no personal data about children is collected. All content is curated for ages 4 and up. Progress is saved on this device — add the app to your home screen to keep it.

Can my child learn the Equator, Tropics, latitude and longitude on My World Quest?

Yes — the World Lines page at https://myworld.quest/geo-lines shows the real world map with the Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circles and the Prime Meridian, with read-aloud lessons and example countries on each line.

Does My World Quest work offline?

Yes. It is an installable Progressive Web App. Once you visit https://myworld.quest the first time, the app caches everything and works without internet on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and ChromeOS.

Does My World Quest collect data on my child?

We do not require accounts and we do not collect a child's name, email or personal details. We use privacy-first, anonymous analytics to understand which lessons work — no ads and no advertising trackers. Progress is stored locally on the device. The app aligns with COPPA and GDPR-K best practices.

Your Money, Growing or Shrinking: Interest, Debt and Savings — PSHE

Your Money, Growing or Shrinking: Interest, Debt and Savings

1 of 4

For grown-ups

Companion summary

Have you ever wondered how a bank can actually pay you just for keeping your money safe with them? Every time someone takes out a loan or uses a credit card, interest is quietly adding up in the background. A credit card balance of 500 pounds, left unpaid, could grow to over 600 pounds in just one year with a typical interest rate. When you finish, try working out what 20 percent interest would add to a 200-pound debt — the answer might surprise you.

The Magic — and the Trap — of Percentages

Imagine you lend a friend £100 and they pay you back £110 a year later. Where did that extra £10 come from? Now flip it: you borrow £100 from someone, and a year later you owe them £110. Same maths — but very different feelings. Money has a hidden power: it can grow on its own, or it can quietly drag you deeper into trouble. Today you will find out exactly how that works.

💭 Think about this

Think of something you would really like to buy that you cannot afford right now. How might you get that money — and what could go wrong if you borrowed it?

The Magic — and the Trap — of Percentages

💭 Think about this

Think of something you would really like to buy that you cannot afford right now. How might you get that money — and what could go wrong if you borrowed it?

How Interest, Debt and Savings Really Work

**What is ?** Interest is the extra money paid when someone borrows or lends money. It is usually shown as a — a fraction out of 100 — per year. For example, a 5% annual interest rate on £200 means £10 is added each year (5 ÷ 100 × 200 = 10). Interest works in two directions: • **Savings interest** — when you put money in a savings account, the bank pays you interest because the bank uses your money. Your balance grows without you doing anything extra. • **Borrowing interest** — when you take out a loan or use a credit card, you pay interest to the lender. The longer it takes you to repay, the more interest builds up. **Compound interest — the multiplier effect** Simple interest adds the same fixed amount each year. Compound interest is more powerful: it is calculated on your original amount *plus* any interest already added. This means the total grows faster and faster over time. Compound interest is great news for savers but a serious risk for borrowers. Example: £500 saved at 4% compound interest. • After year 1: £500 + £20 = £520 • After year 2: £520 + £20.80 = £540.80 • After year 3: £540.80 + £21.63 = £562.43 Each year the interest amount gets slightly larger because it is calculated on a bigger total. **What is ?** Debt means owing money to someone else. Some debt can be useful — a mortgage (a loan to buy a home) or a student loan can help people reach important goals. But debt becomes dangerous when the interest rate is very high or when a person borrows more than they can afford to repay. If someone only pays back the minimum each month, most of the payment goes toward interest, not the original sum, so the debt barely shrinks. **Smart saving strategies** • Start early — even small amounts grow significantly over many years thanks to . • Pay yourself first — put a set amount into as soon as you receive money, before spending on anything else. • Set a clear goal — knowing what you are saving for helps you stay motivated and avoid dipping into the fund. • Avoid high-interest debt — every pound spent on interest is a pound that cannot go toward savings or things you value.

Worked example

Layla borrows £300 on a credit card with a 20% annual interest rate. She pays nothing back for one year. At the end of year 1 she owes: £300 + (20% of £300) = £300 + £60 = £360. If she still pays nothing after year 2, the interest is now 20% of £360 = £72, making the total £432. In two years a £300 debt has grown to £432 — she owes £132 more than she borrowed, without buying a single extra thing. This shows why repaying debt quickly, especially high-interest debt, is so important.

Check Your Understanding

Try it yourself

Read each question carefully and choose the best answer. Think about the key terms and worked example before you decide.

1. Priya puts £400 in a savings account that pays 5% simple interest per year. How much interest will she earn after one year?

2. What is the key difference between simple interest and compound interest?

3. Marcus owes £600 on a loan with a 10% annual interest rate. He makes no repayments for one year. How much does he owe at the end of that year?

4. Which saving strategy means putting money away as soon as you receive it, before spending on anything else?

5. A credit card charges 25% annual interest. If someone only ever pays the minimum amount each month, why does the debt often barely decrease? Explain your reasoning.

Bring It Together

Interest is a percentage of money added to savings (good for you) or debt (costly for you).
Compound interest grows faster over time because each year's interest is added to a bigger total.
Starting to save early and avoiding high-interest debt are two of the most powerful things you can do for your financial future.

1. Someone receives £1,000 as a gift. They have two choices: (A) save it in an account earning 3% compound interest per year, or (B) spend it all now and borrow £1,000 next year at 15% interest. Which choice costs them more in the long run, and why?

🌱 Reflect

Think about one financial decision you or your family might make in the future — for example, buying something on credit or opening a savings account. How will what you have learned today change how you think about that decision?