Discuss the economy
Create and run a mini-market using play money, goods, and budgets to learn earning, spending, saving, and basic economic choices.
Step-by-step guide to create and run a mini-market
What Is Economics? - Introduction to Economic Concepts
Step 1
Gather all the materials and place them on a table so everything is easy to reach.
Step 2
Choose who will be shopkeepers and who will be customers.
Step 3
Give each customer a play money budget by handing them the amount you decide.
Step 4
Decide a price for each item you will sell.
Step 5
Write price tags on small pieces of paper for each item.
Step 6
Tape each price tag to the matching item.
Step 7
Arrange items in containers or baskets to make colorful stalls.
Step 8
Make a sign for each stall using paper and colouring materials.
Step 9
Open the market so customers can begin shopping.
Step 10
One customer picks an item they want to buy.
Step 11
The customer hands the correct play money to the shopkeeper.
Step 12
The shopkeeper gives change if needed and records the sale in the notebook.
Step 13
When everyone finishes a round of shopping count each person’s remaining money.
Step 14
Write down each person’s total saved and total spent in the notebook.
Step 15
Take a photo or tell the story of your mini-market and share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of play money, tape, or baskets if we don't have them?
If you don't have play money, tape, or baskets, cut paper into bills for play money, use sticky notes or folded paper as price tags and secure them with glue or a stapler, and place items in bowls, shoeboxes, or cardboard boxes to make stalls.
What should we do if shopkeepers forget to record sales or customers get confused about change?
To avoid lost sales or confused change, write big, clear prices on each price tag, prepare pre-counted change piles from the play money, and use a simple checklist in the notebook to tick off each completed sale.
How can we change the activity for different ages?
For younger children, reduce the number of items, use picture price tags and role-play shopping without recording sales, while for older kids add budgeting limits with specific play money, require shopkeepers to calculate totals and record spent and saved in the notebook.
How can we extend or personalize our mini-market after the basic round of shopping?
Extend the market by creating themed stalls with custom signs and colourful stalls, adding coupons or sales events, having shopkeepers write receipts and graph totals in the notebook, and then take a photo or share the market story on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to create and run a mini-market
What is Economy for Kids? How Money Works! Economics Made Simple 🌍💰
3 Videos
What is Economy for Kids? How Money Works! Economics Made Simple 🌍💰
Economy. Basic concepts for kids
What is an Economy? A Simple Explanation for Teens & Beginners
Facts about financial literacy for kids
🎯 Every purchase is a choice — picking one thing often means giving up something else (opportunity cost).
🪙 Long ago people bartered (traded goods) before coins and bills made buying easier.
🧮 Running a pretend store helps kids practice real math — totals, making change, and budgeting.
💵 Saving a little from each sale can add up over time — that’s how piggy banks become big!
🛒 Shops usually add a markup to prices so they can pay rent, staff, and stay open.
How do I set up and run a mini-market activity to teach my child about earning and spending?
What materials and play money do I need to create a mini-market at home?
What ages is a mini-market economics activity suitable for, and how can I adapt it?
What are the benefits and safety tips for running a mini-market game with kids?
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