Educational worksheet teaching children the difference between needs and wants in economics.

Let’s go step by step to figure out which items are needs and which are wants.

Step 1: Understand the difference

- A need is something you must have to live or stay healthy — like food, water, shelter.
- A want is something nice to have but not necessary for survival — like jewelry, toys, TV.

Step 2: Look at each item

#### Top row:
1. Food (vegetables, meat, bottle) → You need food to live → NEEDS
2. Ring and necklace (jewelry) → Not needed to survive → WANTS
3. House → You need shelter to live safely → NEEDS

#### Bottom row:
4. Water bottle → You need clean water to drink → NEEDS
5. Box of toys/candy → Fun things, but not necessary → WANTS
6. Television → Entertainment, not required for life → WANTS

Step 3: Fill in the blanks

Write “NEEDS” under food, house, and water.
Write “WANTS” under jewelry, toys, and TV.

Step 4: Answer the question at the bottom

> How did you come up with the decision whether the objects above are wants or needs?

You can say:
*I thought about what I really need to stay alive and healthy. Food, water, and a place to live are needs because without them, I wouldn’t be okay. Jewelry, toys, and TV are fun, but I could live without them — so they’re wants.*

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Final Answer:

Top row:
- Food → NEEDS
- Jewelry → WANTS
- House → NEEDS

Bottom row:
- Water → NEEDS
- Toys/Candy → WANTS
- Television → WANTS

Explanation for the written part:
I decided based on whether the item is necessary for survival. Needs are things like food, water, and shelter. Wants are things that are nice to have but not essential, like jewelry, toys, or a TV.