This activity supports Upper Key Stage 2 Maths and PSHE objectives by helping children compare prices, calculate unit costs, and make informed choices about spending. It builds problem-solving skills and encourages critical thinking about value for money.
What you’ll need 🪙
-
Supermarket websites or food delivery apps (anything showing prices and sizes).
-
Paper and pencil or a spreadsheet to record findings.
-
Optional: a calculator for checking calculations.
What to do 🛒
-
Set the task. Tell your child they’re going shopping for a family treat - maybe snacks for movie night or ingredients for a picnic. Their goal is to get the best value for money while staying within a set budget (e.g. £10).
-
Compare prices. Find two or three versions of the same item (e.g. 500g pasta vs. 1kg pasta). Help your child calculate the cost per 100g or per item to see which is better value. For example:
-
500g pasta = £1 → £0.20 per 100g
-
1kg pasta = £1.70 → £0.17 per 100g
-
Plan the shop. Using their findings, let your child choose which items to buy to stay within budget. Encourage them to consider quality, quantity, and price.
-
Reflect together. Once they’ve made their final shopping list, ask why they made each choice. Were there times when the cheapest option wasn’t the best one?
Questions to ask your child 💬
-
“Which item gives you more for your money?”
-
“Why might something cost more even if it’s smaller?”
-
“If your budget was £2 less, what would you take off your list?”
What your child will learn 🎓
-
To compare and calculate unit prices to find the best value.
-
To use multiplication and division to solve real-world problems.
-
To think critically about advertising and brand choices.