Put a compass in your kid's hands.
Ages 8-18 learn real-life skills the natural way: listen, visualize, then practice - through a cozy adventure, not lectures.
The same way your kid learned to talk
Kids spend many months listening before they say their first words. That's not random— it's how brains naturally acquire complex skills.Speech milestones Wayward Woods follows the same pattern.
Audio stories where Morrow the cat encounters money concepts through forest survival.
Just like absorbing language before speaking—building understanding without pressure.
A cozy garden where concepts become visible through growth and resource management.
Like watching you ride a bike before trying—seeing how concepts work safely.
Optimization puzzles that prove understanding through problem-solving.
Like those wobbly first bike attempts—proving they understand by doing.
Different minds learn differently - so we teach in multiple formats
Temple Grandin popularized the idea of “thinking in pictures”: some people learn best when ideas are concrete, visual, and practiced - not just explained. Wayward Woods is built the same way: story (audio) → visible systems (world-building) → hands-on practice (puzzles), so more kids can actually absorb the skill.
Why this sequence works (with sources)
People learn more deeply when new ideas are grounded in context and connected to what they already know.
Combining words + visuals helps people build clearer mental models than words alone.
Novices benefit from starting simple (to avoid overload), then increasing challenge as skill grows.
Support first, independence later: scaffolding reliably improves learning outcomes across many studies.
What they'll learn (without realizing it)
"Don't put all your seeds in one field"
→ Diversification protects against loss
"Small caches grow into large reserves"
→ Compound interest builds wealth
"Route resources to needs first"
→ Budget before spending
"Buried so deep they forget it exists"
→ Emergency funds you don't touch
Your kid learns through survival language that makes abstract concepts concrete. No boring lectures. Just Morrow trying to survive the woods.
Works alongside whatever you're already using
Wayward Woods complements—not replaces—other financial tools.
Banking apps
Great for managing real money. Wayward Woods builds the understanding of why those tools matter.
Books & courses
Perfect for deep knowledge. Wayward Woods makes concepts stick through experience.
School curricula
If your school teaches finance, Wayward Woods reinforces it at home through play.
Think of it like this: tools teach how. Stories teach why.
What parents appreciate
No ads, ever
Many popular apps monetize through ads or data sharing. Wayward Woods is completely ad-free.Report
Privacy-first
Many youth products collect data that can be used for targeted advertising. We don't.FTCYour family's data stays yours.
Account-based progress
Progress and saves are personal—each account keeps its own trail.
Cozy, not chaotic
Calming aesthetics, gentle pacing. Screen time that doesn't wind them up before bed.
Teaching money is hard
Most of us never learned this stuff ourselves. Here's why it matters.
The window is short
Cambridge University research shows money habits form by age 7 and become difficult to reverse. Your child is in the critical learning window right now.
Screen time guilt is real
You want screen time to count. The right content turns it into shared moments and real-life conversations.See how we keep it screen-light →
Schools can't do it alone
Personal finance education is growing—but access still varies widely. As of October 2025, 30 states require a standalone personal finance course for high school graduation.See the trackerOnly 27% of U.S. adults can answer 5 of 7 basic money questions.Source
Kids look to you first
In surveys, kids say parents are their most trusted source for money guidance. But most of us don't feel qualified. Wayward Woods gives you a shared language to start the conversation.
Wayward Woods makes it easy:
A complete cozy story where financial concepts emerge naturally through survival gameplay. Kids learn without realizing they're learning—and you get conversation starters without needing to be an expert.
Simple, one-time pricing
No subscriptions. No monthly fees. Own it forever.
per season (15 lessons)
✓ Audio stories + visual garden + puzzles
✓ All 3 learning modes included
✓ One account keeps one player's progress
✓ Own forever—no recurring fees
Season 1 includes 15 lessons (story + garden + puzzles)
Try 3 lessons free at launch. Join the waitlist for release links.