A busy mom shares some of her secrets of the trade - this was contributed to eHow by Amber Putnam. This game helps re-use common household items and teach children financial responsibility.
Tips:
- Give older children a calculator and have them tally up prices and give change.
Steps:
- Save old egg cartons, butter bowls, food boxes and food wrappings.
- Help the children set up these items on shelves in their play area, explaining to them that they are “stocking” the shelves of their “imaginary” grocery store.
- Encourage the children to use wagons or play strollers as shopping carts.
- Designate a clerk and set up a check out counter with an imaginary cash register.
- If the children are old enough, give them monopoly money to purchase and sell the groceries.
Warnings:
If smaller children are around, watch out for plastics and smaller objects.
Stay away from anything that you wouldn't want them to put in their mouths.