Discuss the economy - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Discuss the economy

Create and run a mini-market using play money, goods, and budgets to learn earning, spending, saving, and basic economic choices.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to create and run a mini-market

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What is Economy for Kids? How Money Works! Economics Made Simple 🌍💰

What you need

Play money, small items to sell such as toys snacks stickers, price tags or small pieces of paper, paper and pencil, containers or baskets for stalls, sticky tape or glue, colouring materials, a simple notebook for recording sales

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.

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

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Economy. Basic concepts for kids

3 Videos

Facts about financial literacy for kids

🪙 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.

🎯 Every purchase is a choice — picking one thing often means giving up something else (opportunity cost).

How do I set up and run a mini-market activity to teach my child about earning and spending?

Start by planning stalls (groceries, toy shop, bakery) and assigning roles: seller, buyer, cashier. Price items and give each child a simple budget or pay them for jobs to earn play money. Let them buy, sell, give change, and record transactions on a notepad. Rotate roles so kids experience different perspectives. Finish with a short debrief about choices, saving, and how prices affected their decisions to reinforce learning.

What materials and play money do I need to create a mini-market at home?

Gather play money or homemade bills, toys or household items to sell, price tags, baskets or boxes for stalls, a small calculator, receipt pad or notepad, pencils, sticky labels, and signage. Optional extras: a cash box, coin sorter, play credit cards, shopping lists, timers for rounds, and simple props like aprons. Use safe, non-breakable goods and clearly label any food items with ingredients or allergy notes.

What ages is a mini-market economics activity suitable for, and how can I adapt it?

This activity works for ages about 4–12. For preschoolers (4–6), focus on counting, turn-taking, and matching prices. Elementary kids (6–9) can practice making change, budgeting, and simple sums. Older children (9–12) can handle profit/loss, marketing, and basic record-keeping. Adjust complexity, supervision, and the time length to match attention spans and math skills for each age group.

What are the benefits and safety tips for running a mini-market game with kids?

Benefits include real-world math practice, money management, decision-making, cooperation, and delayed-gratification skills. It builds vocabulary and social confidence too. Safety tips: avoid small choking hazards for young children, supervise money exchanges, check food items for allergies, use non-toxic materials, set clear rules about fairness, and keep personal information private. Try variations like themed markets, charity sales, or online pretend shops to expand learning.

Ready to create?

All Activities

Discuss the economy

Create and run a mini-market using play money, goods, and budgets to learn earning, spending, saving, and basic economic choices.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to create and run a mini-market

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

What is Economy for Kids? How Money Works! Economics Made Simple 🌍💰

What you need

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.

Help!?

What can we use instead of play money, tape, or baskets if we don't have them?

What should we do if shopkeepers forget to record sales or customers get confused about change?

How can we change the activity for different ages?

How can we extend or personalize our mini-market after the basic round of shopping?

Watch videos on how to create and run a mini-market

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Economy. Basic concepts for kids

3 Videos

Facts about financial literacy for kids

🪙 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.

🎯 Every purchase is a choice — picking one thing often means giving up something else (opportunity cost).