Should I Break My Piggy Bank to Access Savings

Everyone · How-to · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Do You Need Before Starting to Break a Piggy Bank?

Before attempting to break your piggy bank, gather the right tools and set up a safe workspace. This preparation helps prevent accidents and makes the process smoother. You will need:

• A sturdy surface: A table or countertop covered with a towel or cloth to cushion the piggy bank and catch small shards.
• A small hammer or mallet: Useful for controlled tapping to crack the piggy bank without shattering it completely.
• Safety gear: Protective gloves to guard your hands from sharp pieces, and safety glasses to shield your eyes from flying fragments, especially if the piggy bank is ceramic.
• A container or bowl: To collect coins and bills as you retrieve them.
• Optional: A toothpick or small tool to help dislodge stuck coins.

Before starting, check if the piggy bank has a removable plug or stopper on the bottom. This is common in many modern piggy banks and lets you access coins without breaking it. If present, remove it by twisting or pulling gently. If you can get all the money this way, avoid breaking the piggy bank altogether.

Having everything ready means you can work quickly and safely without scrambling mid-task. For example, if you begin tapping the piggy bank without a container underneath, coins could scatter and be lost. Setting up properly first avoids such issues.

What Are the Steps to Break Your Piggy Bank and Why?

Follow these detailed steps to break your piggy bank safely and retrieve your savings:

1. Prepare the workspace: Lay a thick towel or cloth on a flat surface to protect both the surface and the piggy bank. This also makes cleanup easier.
2. Inspect the piggy bank: Look for a removable bottom or plug. Removing this can save the piggy bank from breaking.
3. Position the piggy bank: Place it on the towel with the side you want to crack facing up or resting securely so it won’t roll.
4. Start with gentle taps: Hold the hammer loosely and lightly tap the piggy bank in one spot. The goal is to create small cracks without shattering it.
5. Increase tap strength slowly: As cracks develop, slightly harder taps help break it into larger pieces without splintering.
6. Catch coins as they fall: Hold your container underneath or nearby to catch coins immediately.
7. Remove large shards carefully: Once cracks are big, use your hands with gloves to gently pry pieces apart, avoiding sharp edges.
8. Shake gently if coins are stuck: Slightly tilt and shake the broken piggy bank over your container to free any remaining coins.

Each step is designed to reduce risk. Gentle tapping prevents the piggy bank from exploding into many pieces, which is safer and less messy. Catching coins immediately avoids loss. Taking your time reduces frustration and cleanup.

For example, if you earn $20 in coins saved over months and break the bank carelessly, shards could damage coins or scatter them beyond reach. Following the process limits damage and maximizes your money recovered.

How Can You Tell If Breaking Your Piggy Bank Worked?

You will know the process succeeded when you can safely access all the coins and bills inside without losing money or causing injury. Signs of success include:

• The piggy bank has cracked open sufficiently for coins to come out freely.
• Coins fall directly into your container or are easy to pick up from the towel.
• No coins remain trapped inside unreachable spaces.
• You have avoided cuts or injuries from sharp shards.

Check carefully for small coins or bills stuck in cracks or corners. Use a flashlight or tilt the broken pieces to find hidden money. If everything comes out intact and safely, you have achieved your goal.

If the piggy bank is ceramic and you end up with large pieces still attached, carefully continue tapping or prying until more coins come out. If the piggy bank is plastic and cracked partially, you might be able to peel it open fully.

A successful break is both about money recovery and safety. If you find sharp shards or small pieces scattered, clean the area immediately to prevent accidents.

What Should You Do if Breaking Your Piggy Bank Goes Wrong?

Sometimes, the piggy bank may shatter unexpectedly or coins scatter. If this happens, follow these steps:

1. Ensure safety first: Put on gloves before touching shards. Use a broom and dustpan (or vacuum) to clean up fragments promptly.
2. Collect scattered coins: Look carefully around the workspace and floor. Check under furniture or rugs nearby.
3. Handle stuck coins: If money is trapped in broken pieces, try using a small stick or brush to coax them out.
4. Avoid rushing: Take your time to avoid injury or losing money.
5. Consider disposal options: If your piggy bank is broken beyond repair, decide if you want to keep the pieces for sentimental reasons or discard them safely.
6. Plan next steps: If your piggy bank was a primary savings tool, consider moving to a safer method such as a bank account.

If shards pose a risk to children or pets, dispose of them securely in a container before putting them in the trash.

If you find the piggy bank is particularly valuable or sentimental, seek advice before breaking it. Some piggy banks can be repaired or preserved.

Should You Always Break Your Piggy Bank to Access Savings?

Breaking a piggy bank should be a last resort after exploring other options. Many piggy banks have removable bottoms or plugs designed for easy access to money. Always check for these before deciding to break it.

If your piggy bank has no opening, consider these alternatives:

• Deposit coins in a bank: Some banks accept coin deposits, which can be safer and help build credit or savings history.
• Use a coin-counting machine: Stores or banks often have machines that count coins and provide cash or deposit slips.
• Buy a piggy bank with a removable bottom: For future saving, consider a piggy bank designed to open without breaking.

Breaking the piggy bank is irreversible and may eliminate a fun way to save or a sentimental object. Transitioning to a bank account after cashing out piggy bank money also helps keep funds safe and may earn interest.

If your piggy bank contains only a small amount, and you plan to continue saving, breaking it might disrupt your habit. Weigh the benefits of immediate access against long-term saving goals.

How Can You Adapt This Process for Different Piggy Bank Types or Audiences?

Different piggy banks require different handling based on their materials and purpose. For example:

• Ceramic piggy banks: Usually breakable only with tools. Follow the gentle tapping method carefully.
• Plastic or metal piggy banks: Often have removable stoppers or openings. Use these first before attempting to break.
• Digital or electronic piggy banks: Access money through a keypad or opening, no breaking required.

Adapting the process to the user is also important. For children:

• Involve them in counting money before breaking to reinforce math and saving skills.
• Teach tool safety by supervising hammer use closely or letting an adult handle breaking.
• Use the process as a chance to explain why saving and patience are important.

For adults:

• Use breaking as a prompt to move savings to a bank account or emergency fund.
• Consider upgrading to piggy banks designed for easy money access or digital tracking.

This method respects safety and educational goals tailored to different ages and piggy bank styles.

What Are the Benefits of Keeping Money in a Piggy Bank Versus a Bank?

Piggy banks provide a simple, hands-on way to save coins and small bills, making saving tangible and visible. This can be especially useful for children learning about money by counting coins and watching savings grow. It also encourages discipline and patience.

However, piggy banks have limitations:

• No interest earned: Money inside does not grow over time.
• Risk of loss or damage: Coins can be lost if the piggy bank breaks accidentally; theft is also a risk.
• No emergency access: You may need to break the piggy bank to access funds quickly.

Banks and credit unions provide more secure storage, insurance on deposits, and potential interest earnings. They also offer convenient access through debit cards, ATMs, and online banking.

A combined approach can work well:

For children, piggy banks build foundational money skills, while bank accounts teach more advanced concepts. Adults may prefer banks for long-term savings and security.

Frequently asked questions

Can I break a piggy bank if it has a removable stopper?

It’s best to remove the stopper first. Breaking should only be done if the stopper is missing or stuck. Removing the stopper protects the piggy bank and makes money access easier.

What if my piggy bank is made of plastic? How do I open it?

Many plastic piggy banks have plug openings on the bottom or sides. If none are found, gently apply pressure or twist parts to open. Breaking plastic usually requires less force than ceramic but should be done carefully.

How do I safely dispose of broken piggy bank pieces?

Use gloves to collect shards, place them in a sturdy container or wrap them in heavy paper before discarding. This prevents injuries to yourself and sanitation workers.

Can I deposit coins from my piggy bank directly to a bank account?

Yes, banks typically accept coin deposits. Count the coins first, roll them if required by the bank, and bring them to a teller or coin machine. Check your bank’s coin deposit policies before going.

How do I encourage kids to save without the risk of breaking a piggy bank?

Use piggy banks with removable bottoms or digital savings apps designed for kids. Teach saving goals and reward milestones to build positive habits without risking damage or lost money.