Library Support Materials: Downloadable Games Resources
Table of Contents:
Currency Conga Bingo
Help kids learn what different currency looks like in this fun, fast-paced bingo game! Players focus on searching their bingo cards for specific currency called out by the bingo caller. To score a match, kids must successfully identify the correct coins or bills called out. The first player to match a full row, column, or diagonal and shout "BINGO!" wins the game.
Learning Goals
- Recognize currency
- Gain proficiency in basic money math
Recommended Age
- Ages 3–12. The game includes some reading, and could include addition and subtraction. Players will need to be able to identify the letters B, I, N, G, and O. This game can be played collaboratively, so older players can help younger ones.
Downloads
Making Mooo-lah
Welcome to the farm! In this collaborative simulation, players work together to see if they can run a financially successful farm. Players take turns rolling the die and moving through a game board. Depending on where they land, they might buy something for the farm, sell their crops at the farmers’ market, pay taxes, or face an unexpected event. Starting with $200 in their bank account, can the team turn a profit in 12 months?
Learning Goals
- Differentiate needs vs. wants
- Understand risk and risk management
- Work together to manage income and expenses
- Understand profit and loss
Recommended Age
- Ages 5–12. The game includes addition/subtraction and collaboration.
Downloads
Penny Pinchers’ Party
Kids become party planners, creating Planning Boards for their clients while staying on budget. With a budget of $100, the players take turns selecting items from a party warehouse managed by the program facilitator. After five turns, players share their plans with the group and explain their choices. The facilitator, or the group as a whole, may opt to select a Party Champion — the participant who plans the most entertaining or creative party while keeping expenses within budget
Learning Goals
- Understand what a budget is and how it is useful
- Understand basic business relationships (customer/provider)
- Understand that value can differ from cost (i.e., that fun does not necessarily mean expensive, or vice versa)
Recommended Age
- Ages 5–12. The game includes addition and subtraction, but no reading.
Suggested Variations on Gameplay
- Kids can color their own Party Pieces. Visit the Thinking Money for Kids website for printable sheets of Party Pieces.
- Kids can brainstorm their own party themes.
- Replace the Party Pieces with items from kids’ imaginations or with actual items collected from around the library. Start the game by assigning a price to each item.
- Using the above program variations, use the winning program as the basis for an actual children’s program (e.g., plan a craft party for $25 and then host it in real life).
Downloads
Pet Cents
Players adopt a pet — and take on the financial responsibilities of pet ownership — as they visit various stations around the room. At each stop, players engage in financial transactions with an assistant/cashier (i.e., an adult or older kid), spending and receiving money until the timer runs out. Along the way, they are faced with unexpected events that could result in a financial windfall or expense. All transactions are tracked on the player’s Pet Card. The goal of the game is to meet a pet’s needs while retaining as much money as possible
Learning Goals
- Understand what a budget is and how it is useful
- Think about what it means to be financially responsible
- Identify essential expenses (food, housing, healthcare)
- Cope with unexpected financial needs
Recommended Age
- Ages 8–11. The game includes basic reading, writing, addition, and subtraction.
Suggested Variations on Gameplay
- Partner with a local animal shelter to meet real adoptable pets and discuss the financial responsibilities that come with pet ownership.
- Partner with a therapy dog organization to plan a complementary program in which children can read to therapy dogs to build literacy skills.
- Invite kids to write a story featuring their Pet Cents pet.
Downloads
