Bringing the snack shop BACK

I don't know about you all but my kids want to eat me out of house and home during the summer in snacks alone! I get tired of arguing or keeping track of who already had what each day before the ingest a whole box of fruit snacks so I devised the perfect way to control those eaters AND make it a learning experience they enjoyed. I know I posted this last year but it generated much discussion in real life so here it is again:

SNACK SHOP is officially open!

This is not all the items I have in the shop as that picture didn't show the signs very well. But you get the concept. 

How does it work?

Each snack item has a colored dot which designate a specific price. I included things like bagels with cream cheese, ice cream, crackers, etc. Soda, chips and candy are also available although their price is high enough that they will either budget to get it or run out of money because they did too often. Fruits and vegetables are always free. 

There is a price list that explains what each dot means displayed for all to see.The first time I did it I gave the kids a set amount of $ per week but as they grew I started giving them a blank check register with a set amount for the summer. Cousin K was the BEST at budgeting with tons of money left over, A the second best with indulging but choosing when to do so. 

Last year I used different pricing. Truly that is determined by how well the kids participating can make change, or need practice in counting money. This year I used  mostly amounts with quarters such as .25, .75 etc. All of my children (except 5yo) get how to use money so I am focusing on the budgeting portion most. This year I determined and average of 4.00 per kid should be plenty. I do NOT tell them my thought process because I want them to learn how to spread it out. So far no one has calculated how many days there are and divided it out. So those that actually know my family MUM is the word!

This year we are starting a month late because of camps, VBS etc so less $ needed.

Finally I assign a cashier to manage the shop. Obviously when the kids are too young I did it myself but these days I can let the bigger 3 possibly even biggest 5 take turns. I oversee as the shop owner till I know everyone has the process down. There is a paper to fill out when supplies are low in case I didn't notice too. These days the cashier job is coveted and rotates to allow all the enjoyment of learning.

Previously I did change pricing in the middle because ice cream was such a big hit the kids were buying it every snack and it got very costly. This was a great lesson in supply and demand affected consumer cost. 

All in all this is NOT a 5 second activity to prepare the first year but totally worth it! Kids love the process, it does not cost more than you already spend AND lasts for years! 

Good luck making your own. Please leave me feedback if you do letting me know how it worked for you!