Open a family store run on points (ages 6 to 9)
Your kid wants money for everything and doesn't connect it to effort. In forty minutes you'll split family jobs from extras, set up a small store that takes points, and run the first shopping day.
- Time
- 40 min
- Cost
- About $10
- Ages
- 6 to 9
- Where
- Kitchen table
What you need
- Paper, marker and tape for the job list, price tags and a points tally
- 5 to 8 small store items: stickers, a small toy, a treat, a choice of movie, an outing
- A shelf or box to be the store
- A phone or store flyer to check real prices
Before you start
- Keep store items age-safe. Pick small treats and toys you'd happily hand over anyway, and keep small parts away from any younger sibling in the house.
- Points are theirs once earned. Never take points away as a punishment. That teaches them the store isn't real.
Steps
- Split the job list. Write one list of free family jobs and one list of extra jobs that earn points.
- Set the points. Put a points number on each extra job and keep a tally sheet on the fridge.
- Stock the store. Pick store items, check their real prices in more than one place, and price each in points.
- Open the store. On store day they count their points and choose to spend now or save for a bigger item.
- Write the receipt. Write down what they bought, the points spent and points left, and set the next store day.
If it stalls
- If they refuse family jobs unless there are points, say: "Family jobs are free. Extras earn." Keep your family-jobs list short and stick to it.
- If points pile up, add a bigger item like a family movie pick. Points they can't spend stop mattering.
Points earned · points spent
Signed off: can do this.Signed by Date