About the app
Do I need the internet?
No. KidRoles: Shop works fully offline — just install it once. An offline game is handy in the car, while travelling, and anywhere you would rather not hand your child the internet.
Are there ads?
There are no ads and no micro-payments. Nothing pops up mid-play and there is nothing to tap by accident — at home the game is simply free.
What age is it for?
Usually from 4–5, once a child recognises digits. Younger kids enjoy scanning and filling the basket, older ones count out change on the numpad. You set the difficulty yourself — through the prices in your own shop.
Does it teach counting money?
That is the whole game. Your child adds up prices, takes payment and gives change, and correct change earns points. It is addition and subtraction practice in a situation that makes sense to a child.
Do we need a toy cash register?
No. Playing shop runs on what you already own: a tablet or laptop is the register, and a phone becomes a wireless scanner. Add products by hand or scan the barcodes off real packaging.
What does it run on?
Web, iOS, Android and desktop. The same shop on tablet, phone and computer.
What about my child’s data?
Zero personal data. We don’t create accounts or track — everything stays on the device.
How much does it cost?
For home — free. Institutions: write to us and we’ll tailor a rollout.
How do I start?
Tap “Try it free”, open the shop and add your first products. Ready in a minute.
About playing store and learning to count
What age can kids start playing store?
Around three, but without money — the child trades one item for another and practises the ritual itself. Coins only make sense once a child can count to five, usually around age five.
What do you need to play store at home?
A few empty packages from the kitchen, hand-written price tags, a basket and a box for the money. Real packaging beats a plastic play set, because your child already recognises it from the shelf.
How do I know when to move up a level?
When your child gets through a whole sale without glancing at you for approval. It is not about being correct — it is about being independent. As long as they check your face, stay where you are.
Does playing store teach anything besides counting?
Yes, and that is the stronger half of it. Your child practises talking to someone they do not know, waiting their turn, swapping roles and speaking in full sentences. Counting is one of several things at once.
At what age can a child make change?
Usually between seven and eight, but only after two earlier stages are solid: recognising coins by value and paying an exact amount. Skipping straight to change is where it most often stalls.
Should I teach subtraction or counting up?
Counting up. It is how cashiers actually work: from the total upward to the bill. It needs only addition, which your child already has, while subtracting across a dollar boundary is far harder.
How can I check for ads before installing a game?
On Google Play and the App Store, the label by the install button states "Contains ads" and "In-app purchases". The description is written by the publisher; the label is a declaration made to the platform.
How do I check whether a game works offline?
Turn on airplane mode, close the game completely, open it again and play for three minutes. Closing it is the part that matters — a game opened earlier runs from memory and looks offline when it is not.
Can KidRoles be used in a preschool or classroom?
Yes. Each child gets a profile with a four-digit PIN, so a group shares one device without overwriting each other. It runs offline and collects no data about children. Write to us — we will sort out the setup and invoicing.