Pick One!

What your kid learns

• Money runs out

  Coins get used up when you spend them. Nobody can buy everything.

• Pick one

  Kai has 5¢. The ball is 4¢. The boat is 3¢. Kai can buy one, not both.

• What you gave up

  Kai picked the ball. The boat stayed behind. The boat is what Kai gave up.

• Good choosers think first

  Ask yourself: which one will I enjoy most? Then pick that one.

The story: Kai picks a toy

At a toy shop, Kai has 5 pennies and picks a ball, so the toy boat stays on the shelf.

1. Helper: Hi there! Kai has 5 pennies. That is 5¢.
2. Seller: The ball is 4¢. The toy boat is 3¢.
3. Kai: I want both!
4. Helper: Both cost 7¢. Kai has 5¢. Kai must pick one.
5. Kai: I pick the ball. It’s my favorite!
6. Helper: Kai has 1 penny left. The toy boat stays on the shelf.
7. Helper: The boat is what Kai gave up. Every yes is a no to something else.

The game: Toy Shelf

Pretend coins, pretend prices. Tap to pick. See what you gave up.

Games use pretend money and work with taps or a keyboard. Nothing is timed.

New words

choice

picking one thing

Also called: decision

what you gave up

the thing you didn’t pick

Also called: trade-off, opportunity cost

Questions at the end

• Kai has 5¢. Both toys cost 7¢. Can Kai buy both?
• Maya picks the ball, not the car. What did Maya give up?
• You have 3¢. Which one can you buy?

Remember this

Every yes is a no to something else.

Talk about it

What is something you chose today, and what did you give up?

Try it at home: Park or puzzle?

1. Pick one of two things to do, like the park or a puzzle.
2. Then share what you gave up. Say it, sign it or point.

This mission is free. No money or app needed.

School standards

• Grade K
• C3 Social Studies Framework, Economics D2.Eco.1.K-2
• C3 Social Studies Framework, Economics D2.Eco.2.K-2
• Florida standards SS.1.E.1.2 (early)
• National Standards for Personal Financial Education: Spending