Planning suggestions:

Milestone 1: Introduction to board games

• Begin by discussing what board games are and why they are fun.
• Show examples of different board games (e.g., Snakes and Ladders, Candy Land, Monopoly).
• Explain the project’s objective: to create their own board game from scratch.

Milestone 2: Brainstorming

• Encourage students to brainstorm game ideas. Ask them to think about themes, goals, and rules.
• Have a group discussion where students share their ideas and classmates can provide feedback.
• Introduce basic financial concepts in an age-appropriate manner. Explain terms like money, savings, spending, and budgeting using simple examples. You can use stories or games to make it engaging.
• Teach students about income (earning money) and expenses (spending money). Have a discussion about different ways people can earn money (e.g., jobs, allowances) and common expenses (e.g., toys, snacks).

Milestone 3: Game Design

• Once students have decided on their game idea, have them draw a rough sketch of their game board on a blank poster board or large paper.
• They can also create game cards, special spaces, and other components.
  • Incorporate a currency system into the board game. This can be done by creating play money with different denominations, such as $1, $5, and $10 bills. Each student or group of students can design their currency with creative images.
• Emphasize the importance of clear and simple rules.
• Modify the game objectives to include financial goals. For example, instead of just reaching the finish line, students might have to save a certain amount of play money to win the game.
• Create “Chance” and “Decision” cards for the game. These cards can present financial scenarios and choices. For example, a Chance card might say, “You received a $5 allowance,” while a Decision card could say, “You found a toy you want to buy for $3. Do you want to spend your money?”
  • Teach students the concept of budgeting by setting limits on how they can spend their play money. Encourage them to plan their expenses wisely within their budget.
  • Introduce the concepts of saving and investing in a simplified way. You can include special spaces on the game board where students can “save” money or make “investments” (e.g., buying a pretend savings account or a stock in a fictional company).
  • Ensure that the game rules incorporate financial concepts such as earning money, making decisions about spending, and saving to achieve goals.
  • During play-testing, emphasize the financial aspects of the game. Encourage students to discuss their financial decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
  • After the game creation and play-testing, have a discussion with students about what they learned about money, saving, and spending during the game. Ask them to reflect on the importance of making wise financial choices.

Milestone 4: Game Creation

• Provide time for students to create their game boards and other components using art supplies and craft materials.
• Assist with cutting, pasting, and decorating as needed.

Milestone 5: Playtesting

• Divide the class into small groups and have them play-test each other’s games.
• Encourage them to make notes on what they like and any confusing parts.

Milestone 6: Game Improvement

• Based on the feedback from play-testing, allow students to make improvements to their games.
• This is a valuable learning opportunity where they can apply problem-solving skills.

Milestone 7: Final Presentation

• Have each student or group present their board game to the class.
• They can explain the rules and objectives and play a short demonstration round with their classmates.

Milestone 8: Reflection and Celebration

• After all presentations, gather the students for a reflection session. Ask them what they learned from the project and how they enjoyed the process.
• Celebrate their creativity and effort with a small class party and/or host a game night where they can play each other’s games and invite their families to play their games.