The Best & Most Fun Economics Board Games for Families

Published:
August 11, 2022

Carrie Fernandez

Contributor:
Carrie

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If you are looking for economics board games to help teach your kids how to manage money, you will love this list. These economics board games will be fun for the whole family!

economics board games

Economics Board Games

Board games involving economics are a great way to teach people about basic economic principles. However, they can also be a lot of fun to enjoy at home or with friends.

For example, Monopoly is a game where players buy properties, collect rent, and try to bankrupt each other. In addition, there are many board games that involve building houses, farms, factories, and cities. Some of these games are played with cards, dice, and/or playing pieces.

What is an economic board game?

An economic board game is typically based on managing a system of production, trade, or consumption of goods. Economics games usually simulate a market in some way, such as a stock exchange and involve some sort of money-management.

Economic board games are a great for teaching kids about money.

Classic Money Board Games

Most people are familiar with the popular game Monopoly and my favorite, the Game of Life. These games rely on a player’s ability to know and understand the basic economics of life, including how to make money, spend money, invest money, save money, borrow money, and pay back loans. 

The best board games with economic themes will mimic real life and often include real estate, the labor market, raw materials, natural resources, and money management.

Economic Simulation Board Games

When people play an economic simulation board game, it is intended to simulate an economy. These types of games often have real-life scenarios and require strategic thinking and planning.

Playing board games based on economics that simulate economic systems in one way or another is a great way to teach students about the economy and promote financial literacy.

Teach Your Children about Economics

Understanding Economics is the perfect way to help your 3rd-8th graders grasp important economic topics.

Kids will learn all about money, capitalism, supply and demand, banking, stocks, the economy, and more in ways they can understand, using examples from their own lives.

Understanding Economics - A Notebook Companion™ to History Is Rich by Honest History

Economics Board Games

Playing money games for kids can help them learn how to manage their finances and be good stewards of what God provides. 

Buy low, sell higher, price out your competitors, and make money fast. If you are looking for the best economic board games, check out the comprehensive list below. These games will not only teach economic concepts, but they are super fun for all ages too. 

Catan Board Game

Settlers of Catan (8+)

Subject: Economic
Players: 3-4
Game Type: Board Game / Strategy

Expansion games also available: Extend to 5-6 playersCatan Seafarers | Catan Treasure, Dragons and Adventurers | Catan Explorers and Pirates | Catan Cities and Knights | Catan Traders and Barbarians | Catan Histories: Settlers of America

Are your children interested in world building and colonization? In this fun strategic game, Settlers of Catan is a race to build the best settlement against other players. With a board that changes with each game, it can be played round after round while staying fun and fresh each time.

After the dice roll, players land on spaces on the board with resources that they can use on them. With these resources it is up to the players to build settlements, cities, roads, and armies to create a thriving colony.

There is also room for some trading for players to interact with what each other has accomplished so far. Players can gain points with longer roads and bigger armies.

Perfect for children looking for a competitive game but also an interactive one, Settlers of Catan is great for the ages eight to ten. It is a great way for them to learn all the levels of society all while having a great time with friends or family. 

Farming Game Kids

The Farming Game / Farming Game Kids (7+)

Subject: Economic
Players: 2-6
Game Type: Board Game / Strategy

Do you have children interested in farming life? With this game being focused on farming, The Farming Game is an interesting way to teach kids about management and income.

In this game with a business twist to it, players take turns going through the board. Each time around the board represents one year’s time. During this time, players can purchase livestock, harvest hay, and even grow corn on their properties.

The game also gets interactive where certain times of year can allow for certain actions. This includes growing crops, harvesting, and auctioning off livestock to other players.

The Farming Game is a great game for kids interested in farming because it shows many aspects of living the farmer’s lifestyle. More so than that, this is a great way to begin teaching kids the ideas behind managing income and debt, and the costs behind operations in business.

The game is simple enough for kids around 10 years of age while showing them a lot behind managing properties. 

Farm-Opoly 

Farm-Opoly  (8+)

Subject: Economic
Players: 2-6
Game Type: Board Game / Strategy

If you like playing Monopoly and you enjoy farming or want to learn more about it, then this is the game for you. Instead of buying and selling real estate such as houses and hotels, you will collect acres and trade them in for barns.

Kids will enjoy the country humor and gather some fun facts about farming along the way. The traditional twists of Monopoly transform to farm chores instead of jail. You’ll also have to deal with farm animals causing trouble and droughts.

You can play it the traditional way or do a quick-one hour version. All board spaces are specific to farms instead of real estate. It’s fun!

Corinth The Game

Corinth The Game (8+)

Subject: Economic
Players: 2-4
Game Type: Board Game / Strategy

Do your children think they can run their own store? Challenge your kids with being the savviest merchants they can be with Corinth.

This game is based in ancient Greece and players can take charge of the markets in the country. In each round, players roll the dice and this determines each type of good that becomes available for them to add to their store. These include gold, some produce, and animals.

Players gain points by obtaining goods and placing them in the market on the street they have claimed and use them to build buildings that will bring more customers and increase sales. The winner of the game is the one who gets most points by selling their goods.

With a twenty to thirty minute play time, kids will enjoy the challenge of creating their own business and be excited to go another round. Perfect for ages eight to ten, this game is simple and fun while teaching kids how to obtain and resale goods in the local market.

Oregon Trail

Oregon Trail (14+)

Subject: Economic
Players: 2-4
Game Type: Board Game / Strategy

In this realistic journey of a game, you will need to travel a long distance with your family. Oregon Trail tests your ability to balance problems that arise in order to keep everyone healthy and supplies plentiful.

As the journey goes on, players face the challenges of supplies running low, traversal difficulties, and deciding which supplies are most important. Along the way they can pick up more supplies, and hitchhikers looking for a ride.

With only so much room on their wagon, players need to ensure that their families have enough supplies while having enough room for them to survive the journey.

Competing with other players, your kids will have to challenge each other for the supplies that will get everyone safely along the journey. This game is a realistic and fun approach to challenging times, and interesting for everyone to play over and over.

With each round lasting around twenty minutes, players can enjoy round after round of this unique game. 

Lemonade Shake-Up

Lemonade Shake-Up (4+)

Subject: Economic / Culinary
Players: 2-4
Game Type: Card Game / Strategy

Have your kids ever wanted to set up a lemonade stand? In this game, they can do just that and put their salesmanship to the test! This card game allows kids to set up their very own lemonade stand vending three different types of lemonade.

Players use the 5-sided dice to figure out which Ingredients they can use for their lemonade. They also have 12 customers in line. They must make a lemonade for each customer while getting the right ingredients. If the ingredient list is not complete players can roll the dice once more. If they still do not have a sufficient list of ingredients then their customer receives a sour lemon.

Players can undo this by rolling three sweet ingredients in a row. If they get four sour lemons they lose the game. Each customer pays according to their experience and players must fill up the coin jar to win.

This is a perfect game for kids to run their very own lemonade stand and see what it’s like to fill up a coin jar all on their own. Pick up a copy today for your children to practice starting their first business right at home. 

Cover Your Assets

Cover Your Assets (8+)

Subject: Economic
Players: 4-6

Do any of your children have an interest in property management? Are your children interested in finances? This game is perfect for kids interested in learning more about assets and the values that they hold.

The goal in this game is to accumulate one million dollars in assets over the course of the game. The first to reach a million dollars wins! Players are drawn a hand of cards and try to reach as much value as possible on their own. The fun starts when players steal other players cards in order to build their wealth!

This game is competitive and challenging. It is also a great way for them to understand property values and financial assets all while being a great time for everyone in the family. Cover Your Assets is sure to be a blast round after round during game night.

CASHFLOW Board Game

CASHFLOW Board Game (10+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 2-6

Looking for a fun way to teach your children the importance of finance while having a great time? Cashflow is a game designed specifically for people of all ages to enjoy a game with family or friends and learn a ton of important skills when managing money in your daily life.

This game was created by the famous Robert Kiyosaki, who is a successful businessman, self-help author, and investor. In the game, you choose between the “rat race” or the “fast track”. On the rat race path, you advance by rolling the dice twice and make money each time you pass the paycheck space.

You then have to overcome situations dealing with shortages of cash in order to make it to the end first. On the fast track path, you need to manage businesses and have to navigate looking for investors before everything falls apart.

This game puts you to the test and teaches the essential skills of managing finances. It guarantees a great time all while teaching the whole family a ton of skills.

Stock Exchange Game

Stock Exchange Game (10+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 2-6

This competitive game focuses on the stock market teaching kids on how investing works all while being a fun game to play against each other. Starting with a smaller budget at first, players have limited options to more risky stocks to choose from.

As the game progresses, these investments create returns that you can then use to put into more stable investments. Going around the board once is equivalent to one year in each player’s life. Players must compete to achieve the most return from their investments and retire with the most money.

It is a great way for kids interested in stock exchange and is a fun way to learn all about it. 

Allowance Board Game

Allowance Board Game (5-11)

Subject: Economy
Players: 4

Looking for a way for your younger kids to start learning about money? This is the perfect game to provide them the opportunity to earn an allowance and have fun doing so! Players take turns rolling dice and making their way around the board.

There are many jobs for them to earn a small amount of cash. They then build their allowance to buy the things they want. They must be careful and remember to turn in their homework or they will lose a turn! Challenge your kids and have fun with this exciting game.

Power Grid Deluxe

Power Grid Deluxe (13+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 2-6

Take charge and operate your very own power plant in this strategic game! Each player owns a power grid that powers small portions of the city. Compete against friends and family to power the most homes that you can.

Each plant costs money and with each purchase, bigger and more efficient plants become available. Players also must invest into the upkeep of the plant to ensure everything is working.

This game is great for those looking to have a great time while learning how to manage a business such as a power company. Try and find the best power routes and build the better plant before other players take over the city before you! 

Vegas Showdown

Vegas Showdown (12+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 3-5

Compete against friends or family to create the best hotel-casino in this fun, competitive game! You take over a casino and it is up to you to earn rights and ownership to expand your casino. Earning rights allows you to add slot machines, lounges, restaurants, and more to your casino, attracting more people to your establishment, raising your popularity, and even obtaining fame.

As the game goes on, players need to manage values fluctuating, bidding wars, and renovations involving their business. Join the race to obtain the most popular hotel-casino in this exciting twist on the economic realm. This game is sure to be a great time for all family and friends!

Agricola

Agricola (12+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 1-5

Take on the role of a farmer and his family in this turn-based game in order to build the right foundation for your family. Each turn comes with two actions. First you must decide what actions the father takes to build family wealth and stability. Then you decide what the mother does to bring food back and build a home.

It is up to you to build a strong family and a supporting business with farm animals and fresh produce. The person who can build the most wealth wins! This game takes you back to the basics and is a great way to enjoy game night with your family!

Brass Game

Brass Game (13+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 4

In this interesting and historical game, players take on the role of entrepreneurs looking to industrialize on newly discovered resources for the time. It is up to you to create a network and stable business around cotton, iron, and coal.

The game has two phases for players to strengthen their entrepreneurship. The first phase is the canal phase and the second is the rail phase. This competitive game is a challenge when looking to obtain better resources before other players get to them and expand their establishments. See who can build a better empire and put your children to the test with this great game!

Concordia Game

Concordia Game (13+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 2-5

Enjoy this strategy game with your teenagers and attempt to build the biggest city in the Roman Empire! In this game you are a leader of a group of settlers and need to establish a space to collect resources. Your goal is to advance economic development and build a sustainable city.

This game is a card strategy game that requires critical thinking and strategies to ensure your settlement survives. Other players will be looking to expand in their regions so it’s important to make the right moves so that you don’t lose anything to them.

This game is perfect for a great time with family while exercising everyone’s strategic planning and critical thinking. 

Mombasa

Mombasa (12+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 2-4

This economic game takes place in Africa and has a number of founding companies. It is up to you to help expand these companies across the continent. Doing so will raise the stocks of the company, which means more value in your ownership.

Race against family and friends to improve these companies for your benefit. Players take turns using their decision making skills to decide what steps each company takes in its’ development.

You must obtain the property and resources before everyone else does! Have fun playing this during game night with the family.

Amun-Re Board Game

Amun-Re Board Game (12+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 3-5

Have fun with this interesting game taking place thousands of years ago in Egypt. Each player has the awesome task of building pyramids! Players need to establish a small city where farming and trading can take place. With the earnings that are made with this are used to create the world famous monuments in Egypt.

The player who can build the most pyramids, wins the game! Challenge family and friends and become a historical figure by building as many pyramids as you can!

Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King

Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King (8+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 2-5

In this fun game, you are on an island looking to build a beautiful piece of property. The key to the game is to manage your money well, but more importantly, players must manage which tiles they obtain. These tiles have different landscapes and when they are drawn, they are auctioned off.

Players who set the price must be careful because if no one wants to buy for the set price, the player who set the price must buy them. This game is perfect for those looking to play a fun game while practicing their money managing skills. Have fun challenging your family to build the best part of this beautiful island!

Stockpile Board Game

Stockpile Board Game (13+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 2-5

In this exciting game, players do what it takes to invest money in the right stocks to strike it rich! Have fun with friends and family looking for the way to get the most money in the stock market.

Players can achieve higher returns by obtaining insider information. This determines how stocks change each round of the game. Players can also bid on the stockpiles and walk away with more money.

This game is fun for teenagers to get an idea on how to manage money, and learn about how the stock market works. Play with your family today and see who walks away the richest.

Last Will Money Game

Last Will (14+)

Subject: Economy
Players: 2-5

This fun twist of a game is an exciting race to spend the most money! In this game, you have a rich uncle who will give all his assets to the nephew that spends money in the best way. Each nephew receives a small amount of money that they use to spend on the best things available.

Players can buy various exclusive properties and expensive art. They can also use the money to visit the grandest theaters, the most expensive restaurants and purchase a huge boat. Hosting parties is also another way to spend this small lump sum.

This game is a great way to teach the value of money and how to manage it wisely. See who can get creative with the money they have in this exciting game and have the most fun while doing so!

Free Money Resources

  • Money Worksheets – print off these free money worksheets to help your kids learn about money. 
  • Money Games for Kids – These games focus more on money. You can also find some free printable money games. 
  • Money Coloring Pages – Print some coloring pages to help teach kids how to identify coins and dollar bills. 

More Games Posts

  • Life Size Board Games – Ramp up your family night with these large-as-life board games that everyone will enjoy.
  • Facts about Board Games – Learn some fun board game facts that might surprise you!

More Educational Games

In Conclusion

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of some of the best economic games. Playing strategy games is a great way to teach young players how to make good choices when it comes to money.

It doesn’t matter how much money someone has, if they make poor economic choices it can cause financial destruction. Playing economics games like the ones that we covered are a great example of that!

The best way to teach complex concepts to children is often through game play. A lot of the economic principles they learn with these board games will translate well to the real world.

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