Needs vs. Wants Cut & Paste + $10 Budget Shopping Activity for 1st & 2nd Grade

Help young learners understand the difference between needs and wants with this engaging, hands-on social studies activity!

This 2-page resource includes:

✔️ Needs vs. Wants Cut-and-Paste Sorting Activity
Students cut and glue picture cards into the correct column while learning the basics of economic decision-making.

✔️ “Let’s Go Shopping!” $10 Budget Activity
Students are given a $10 budget and must:

• Purchase at least 2 needs
  
• Stay within their budget
  
• Calculate totals for needs and wants
  
• Write about what they chose and why
  

This activity builds early economic understanding while reinforcing:

• Real-world decision-making
  
• Basic money math
  
• Critical thinking
  
• Writing skills
  

Perfect for:

• 1st & 2nd Grade Social Studies
  
• Homeschool families
  
• Economics units
  
• Morning work or centers
  

Low-prep and student-friendly!

Social Studies Standards Alignment

California Social Studies Standards

Grade 1

• 1.2 – Understand basic economic concepts (needs and wants).
  
• 1.4.1 – Describe how people make choices about spending money.
  

Grade 2

• 2.4.2 – Understand basic economic principles, including buying and selling.
  
• 2.4.3 – Understand the role of money and choices in everyday life.
  

C3 Framework Alignment (K–2)

• D2.Eco.1.K-2 – Explain how scarcity requires people to make choices about wants and needs.
  
• D2.Eco.2.K-2 – Identify the benefits and costs of making choices.

*This is an individual worksheet from Stories in History's 1st and 2nd grade social studies curriculum. It's already included in the full-year course.