NatWest Rooster Money's Pocket Money Index 2026

This year’s data highlights a clear trend — when it comes to pocket money, outdoor chores deliver the biggest rewards.

For the third year running, mowing the lawn is the highest earning chore, bringing in an average of £3.52 per job. That’s around 12 times more than making the bed (£0.28), one of the most common indoor chores. Washing the car, cleaning the window and gardening also appear high up the list, proving the best paid jobs are those that get kids outside and actively involved in real-world tasks.

Animal-related chores are also a sweet source of income, as dog walking now tops the pet jobs list at £1.15 per session (up from £1.04 last year), which is great news for dog-owning Rooster Money families looking to give their kids a reason to get out of the house. Chicken care (£1.14) comes in a close second, proving that even the more unusual livestock chores pay well.

At a time when many parents are thinking about how to balance screen time, this trend towards outdoor earning is particularly notable. Kids are enjoying getting outside and discovering that stepping away from screens can come with tangible rewards.

Many kids are saving with real purpose by setting goals and working towards them. Around 56% of money saved is moved into savings pots with a specific goal attached, whether that’s a holiday, a new games console, or their future. 

Using the Rooster Money app, kids can set up savings pots and move money towards their goals. Find out how your kids can save towards something special with the pots feature in the Rooster Money app.

This year there’s been a big shift in what kids are saving for. Holiday and travel has jumped to the top spot, knocking gaming off its long-held number one position. It’s a signal that kids are increasingly motivated by real-world experiences over digital ones. Saving for the future has also held steady in second place, showing that kids aren’t just chasing instant rewards, many are setting long-term goals.

Supermarkets and grocery stores continue to see the most frequent spending amongst kids, with Tesco topping the list as the brand with the most transactions this year. Google makes its debut on the list and Stagecoach also remains a fixture, suggesting kids are using pocket money to fund real-world independence, whether that’s getting to school or meeting friends. With fast food, gaming, and public transport all featuring strongly, it reflects a generation that’s active, independent, and increasingly comfortable managing their own money on the go.

In terms of where kids spent the most money overall, McDonald’s knocked Tesco off the top spot from last year. Meanwhile, Shein moved up the rankings, now in sixth place by total spend.

Kids are still managing to give back to causes that matter to them through charitable donations. The most generous donations by average amount per child went to international aid and development causes, showcasing a keen awareness of international issues among engaged young people. Charities related to children’s health and homelessness, poverty and social services also received meaningful support. A reminder that even young savers are thinking about causes bigger than themselves.