This activity supports Key Stage 1 PSHE objectives by helping children understand the difference between things we need and things we want. It also links to Maths and English by encouraging sorting, categorising, and using everyday language to describe choices.
What you’ll need 🪙
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A few old magazines, newspapers or catalogues (anything with pictures).
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Child-safe scissors ✂️.
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Two pieces of paper - one labelled “Needs” and the other “Wants.”
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Glue stick or tape to stick the pictures down.
What to do 🏠
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Explain the idea. Talk with your child about what we need to live (like food, water, clothes, a home) and what we want (like toys, sweets, games).
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Find pictures. Look through magazines together and help your child cut out pictures of different items - food, clothes, toys, holidays, gadgets, pets, etc.
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Sort and stick. Ask your child to decide where each picture belongs - on the “Needs” page or the “Wants” page. Encourage them to explain their thinking. Sometimes there isn’t one “right” answer!
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Talk it through. Once finished, look at both pages and talk about the difference. Which side has more pictures? Which things are most important?
Questions to ask your child 💬
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“Why do you think this is something we need?”
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“Could we live without it?”
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“What’s something you really want but don’t need?”
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“If you could only buy one thing, which would you choose, and why?”
What your child will learn 🎓
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To understand the difference between needs and wants.
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To sort and categorise objects into groups.
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To explain their reasoning and practise making decisions.
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To begin thinking about spending choices and priorities.