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Import Export Game

Travel the world with toys! Learn that different countries make different things. Some places grow bananas, others make cars. We trade with each other to get what we need!

Hands OnAbout 25 minutesScreen-freeParent help expected

Materials and setup

How this changes by age

Pre-K (ages 3–4)

Travel the world with toys! Learn that different countries make different things. Some places grow bananas, others make cars. We trade with each other to get what we need!

Difficulty 1 of 3

Steps

  1. Set up 3 'countries' on the floor (blankets or mats). Each country has different items: Country A has fruits, B has toys, C has books.
  2. Ask: 'Country A has lots of fruit but no toys. Country B has toys but no fruit. How can they both get what they want?'
  3. Trade! Walk items between countries. Country A sends fruit to B, and B sends a toy back.
  4. Discuss: 'This is called trading. Countries send things they make (export) and get things they need (import).'
  5. Ask: 'What does our country make that other countries want? What do we get from other countries?'

Learning objectives

  • Understand that different places produce different goods
  • Practice trading items between pretend countries
  • Learn the words export (send out) and import (bring in)

Kindergarten (ages 5–6)

Set up a world trading game! Each country produces one specialty item and must trade for everything else. Use play money in different colors as different currencies and practice exchanging goods.

Difficulty 2 of 3

Steps

  1. Assign each player a country with a specialty: USA makes cars, Brazil grows coffee, Japan makes electronics, Italy makes pasta.
  2. Each country starts with 10 units of their specialty and 5 coins of their own currency.
  3. To trade: offer your specialty item for another country's specialty. Negotiate how many of each to exchange.
  4. Goal: collect at least 1 item from every country through trading.
  5. Discuss: 'Why can one country not make everything? It is easier to specialize and trade.'

Learning objectives

  • Understand that countries specialize in producing certain goods
  • Practice multi-party trading to collect a variety of goods
  • Begin to understand why specialization and trade benefits everyone

Early elementary (ages 6–8)

Run an international trading company! Buy goods from one country and sell them in another. Deal with different currencies, exchange rates, and shipping costs. Calculate your trading profit.

Difficulty 2 of 3

Steps

  1. Set up 4 countries with different goods and prices: Country A sells coffee for 5 A-coins, Country B sells electronics for 10 B-coins, etc.
  2. Exchange rates: 1 A-coin = 2 B-coins = 3 C-coins. Create an exchange rate chart.
  3. Start with 20 A-coins. Buy goods in one country, convert currency, sell in another country for a higher price.
  4. Add shipping costs: moving goods between countries costs 2 coins.
  5. Complete 3 trades. For each, calculate: cost to buy + currency conversion + shipping versus sale price. Did you profit?
  6. Discuss: 'What affects exchange rates? Why might prices be different in different countries?'

Learning objectives

  • Convert between currencies using an exchange rate chart
  • Calculate trading profit including buying cost, conversion, and shipping fees
  • Understand why goods have different prices in different countries

Upper elementary (ages 8–10)

Explore global trade economics. Analyze comparative advantage, tariffs, trade deficits, and how international trade affects everyday prices. Research real trade routes and simulate a global marketplace.

Difficulty 3 of 3

Steps

  1. Comparative advantage: Country A can make 10 shirts or 5 computers per day. Country B can make 8 shirts or 2 computers. Which should each specialize in? Calculate and prove it.
  2. Set up a trade simulation with 4 countries, each with different production capabilities. Trade freely for 5 rounds.
  3. Introduce tariffs: Country C charges a 20% tax on all imports. How does this change trade patterns? Do prices go up?
  4. Research: Pick 5 items in your home. Find where each was made (check labels). Map the countries on paper. Why were they made there?
  5. Calculate a simplified trade balance: if the US buys $10 of goods from China and sells $6, there is a $4 trade deficit. What does that mean?
  6. Debate: 'Are tariffs good or bad? Who benefits and who pays?' Argue both sides.

Learning objectives

  • Explain comparative advantage and why countries specialize in certain goods
  • Analyze the effects of tariffs on trade patterns and consumer prices
  • Calculate trade balances and explain their economic significance

Safety and evidence note

Read the full activity before beginning. An adult should supervise tools, heat, food, outdoor work, movement, and experiments as appropriate. Completion records that the activity was done; the child’s explanation, work sample, photo, or demonstration is stronger evidence of learning than a completion check alone.

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