What are needs and wants?

Money themes:

  • Critical consumers

Pupils explore the difference between needs and wants, considering how we prioritise the things we buy in terms of importance. View all the resources below. You can download the printouts and presentation in one go using this button.

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Illustration of a shopping basket with groceries and a computer game controller
Curriculum links:
Social studies

Learning bundle

Video for What are needs and wants?
  • Video:

  • What are needs and wants?

  • This short video clip explains the difference between needs and wants, and identifies which are the most important by looking at items used by a family.
Lesson plan for What are needs and wants?
  • Lesson plan:

  • What are needs and wants?

  • Use this lesson plan within the What are needs and wants? resources.
Activity sheet for What are needs and wants?
  • Activity sheet:

  • Things we need and things we want

  • In this activity sheet, pupils will cut out the pictures to make cards and consider whether they are ‘needs’ or ‘wants’.
Presentation for What are needs and wants?
  • Presentation:

  • What are needs and wants?

  • Use this presentation to support the What are needs and wants? lesson plan.

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