Tell Us What Is Economics.
Create a mini market using play money, goods, and simple rules to explore buying, selling, saving, and how prices change in an economy.
About this activity
Create a mini market using play money, goods, and simple rules to explore buying, selling, saving, and how prices change in an economy.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Bring all the Materials Needed to your play area so everything is ready in one spot.
- 2
Step 2
Pick a small table or rug to be your market space and clear a place for stalls.
- 3
Step 3
Choose 6 to 10 small items to sell and place each item on the market space.
- 4
Step 4
Make a price tag for each item using paper and sticky notes or tape and stick the tag next to the item.
- 5
Step 5
Divide the play money into equal amounts and give each player the same starting cash.
- 6
Step 6
Assign roles so one person is the banker some are sellers and some are buyers.
- 7
Step 7
Write three simple market rules on paper such as how long each buying round lasts whether bargaining is allowed and how to use the bank.
- 8
Step 8
Start Round 1 and let buyers pick items to purchase then pay the seller the price shown on the tag.
- 9
Step 9
After Round 1 remove or add one item from the stalls to change supply and make the market different.
- 10
Step 10
Ask sellers to change their price tags based on the new supply and update the tags on the items.
- 11
Step 11
Run Round 2 of buying and selling with the updated prices then stop when everyone has had a turn.
- 12
Step 12
Count each playerâs money and write down who saved the most who earned the most and which prices went up or down then share your finished mini market and what you learned on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you set up a mini market to teach kids about economics?
Start by assigning roles: sellers, buyers and a banker. Arrange stalls with simple price tags and play goods. Give each buyer play money and set a few basic rulesâone purchase per turn, limited inventory, and a savings option. Run several short rounds, introduce events (supply shortages, new goods, sales) and let children negotiate prices. After each round, discuss why prices changed, who saved or spent, and how choices affected outcomes.
What materials do I need to make a mini market with play money?
Youâll need play money, small goods (toy food, cards, or household items), price tags, paper and pencils for receipts, and boxes or placemats for stalls. Optional items: timers, a simple ledger for the banker, stickers for discounts, and a supply/demand chart. Use washable markers for signs and containers to store goods. Most items can be homemade to keep costs low and encourage creativity.
What ages is this mini market activity suitable for?
This activity suits preschoolers through preteens with adjustments: ages 4â6 learn basic counting, buying, and sharing with simplified rules. Ages 7â9 can handle budgeting, saving, and basic price negotiation. Ages 10â12 can explore supply and demand, taxes, and market events. Always supervise younger children and adapt complexity and rule bookkeeping to match attention span and numeracy skills.
What are the benefits of creating a mini market to teach economics?
Playing in a mini market builds money sense, basic math, decision-making, and social skills like negotiation and cooperation. It teaches cause and effectâhow saving, spending, and changing prices affect outcomesâand introduces vocabulary such as price, budget, supply and demand. The hands-on, game-like format improves attention and confidence with numbers while encouraging discussion about real-world financial choices.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have play money or sticky notes?
If you donât have play money, cut index cards or use coins from a board game as cash, and if you lack sticky notes make price tags from small pieces of paper secured next to each item with tape or stickers.
What should we do if price tags fall off or kids argue about payments during a round?
Secure price tags with tape or clear packing tape and reduce disputes by having the banker record each transaction and using a timer for round length as written in your market rules.
How can we adapt the market game for younger or older children?
For younger children use fewer items, picture price tags, and very short rounds with no bargaining, and for older kids increase items, allow bargaining, introduce interest or taxes, and require sellers to update price tags after the supply change.
How can we extend or personalize the activity to make it more engaging or educational?
Make the market more advanced by adding supply-change cards for Round 1, having sellers create stall posters, keeping a ledger when you count each playerâs money, and sharing the finished mini market and lessons on DIY.org.