Games

Here’s a list of fun, at-home activities you can do with your littles that sneak in money sense, business skills, and creative thinking — perfect for ages 3–8 but adjustable for older kids.

1. Home “Store” Game

Skills: Counting, making change, pricing, customer service

  • Set up a pretend store with toys, snacks, or craft supplies as products.

  • Give your child a small amount of play money (or real coins).

  • Take turns being the shopkeeper and customer.

  • Talk about setting prices, giving change, and greeting customers politely.
    💡 Business lesson: Revenue, pricing strategy, and customer experience.

2. Family Lemonade or Snack Stand

Skills: Budgeting, marketing, teamwork

  • Use a few dollars for ingredients and make a simple drink or snack.

  • Decide together on pricing and make signs to “advertise” in the kitchen or driveway.

  • Let them track sales and count the money earned.
    💡 Business lesson: Startup costs, profit vs. expenses, promotion.

3. “Shark Tank” Toy Pitch

Skills: Presentation, creative thinking, problem-solving

  • Ask them to pick a toy or invention idea and “sell” it to the family.

  • They explain what it is, why people would want it, and how much it should cost.
    💡 Business lesson: Marketing, pitching, and value proposition.

4. Coin Sorting & Saving Challenge

Skills: Recognizing coins, saving goals, math

  • Dump a jar of coins and have them sort by type.

  • Count together and set a “goal” for what they could save up for.

  • Create a decorated jar or envelope as their savings “bank.”
    💡 Business lesson: Money recognition, saving toward goals.

5. Family Auction Night

Skills: Bidding, valuation, decision-making

  • Give each person a set amount of fake money.

  • “Auction” off fun prizes (extra screen time, picking dinner, a small toy).
    💡 Business lesson: Understanding value and strategic spending.

6. DIY Business Card & Logo Design

Skills: Branding, creativity

  • Have them think of a pretend business (pet walking, toy store, art studio).

  • Create a name, logo, and “business card” with paper, markers, or Canva (if using a tablet).
    💡 Business lesson: Branding and identity.

7. Home Restaurant Role-Play

Skills: Menu creation, pricing, customer interaction

  • Let them plan a menu (real or pretend food).

  • Give each item a price, take “orders,” prepare food, and “charge” customers.
    💡 Business lesson: Service industry basics, menu pricing.

8. Investment Match Game

Skills: Risk vs. reward, decision-making

  • Create cards with pretend “businesses” (ice cream shop, bike rental, bakery) and their potential “earnings.”

  • Let them “invest” their play money and see if their picks “pay off.”
    💡 Business lesson: Basic investment concepts.

9. Neighborhood Service Idea Board

Skills: Problem solving, entrepreneurship

  • Ask, “What could we do to help people around us?” (dog walking, plant watering, art cards for neighbors).

  • Make a list and talk about which ideas would work, what supplies are needed, and how much to charge.
    💡 Business lesson: Spotting opportunities and starting small businesses.

10. “Profit or Not?” Sorting Game

Skills: Understanding expenses vs. revenue

  • Tell short stories (e.g., “We sold cookies for $5 but spent $3 on ingredients”) and ask if there’s a profit.

  • Use coins to visually show money coming in and going out.
    💡 Business lesson: Profit calculation.