Grades K–2
Needs and Wants Cut and Sort
Cut out 12 picture-word cards and sort them into needs and wants. Answer key included.
Social studies worksheet · Needs and wants
Things We Share in Our Community
Public goods for K–2: kids check the shared places in their town (parks, libraries, sidewalks, fire stations), draw a favorite and think about how to take care of it.
- Grade level
- Grades K–2
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Topic
- Needs and wants
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Needs and wants, Money and choices, Goods and services, Basic economics
What kids do
“Some places belong to everyone in a town. Check the ones in your community, then draw your favorite.”
Printed on the sheet:
- In my community there are…
- Roads and sidewalks
- My favorite place we all share
- How can we all take care of it?
Words on this sheet
ParksStreet lightsSchoolsFire stationsPools
Teacher tip
Talk about how to take care of shared places.
How to use it
- Talk about how needs are the same for everyone, and wants are different.
- Connect it to a class store or a pretend shopping trip.
- Read the sheet aloud for early readers and let them answer with drawings.
Watch for
Money can be a sensitive topic. Keep examples pretend and never ask about family income.
Talk about it
- What would you save for?
- What question would you ask an expert on this topic?
Take it further
Plan a pretend class party on a budget.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More needs and wants worksheets
Grades K–2
Draw Your Needs and Wants
Kids draw and label 3 needs and 3 wants of their own, then tell which one they could live without.
Grades K–2
Shopping With $10
A simple store with prices: kids spend $10 on needs first, add up the cost and see what is left for a want.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.