Financial literacy activity
Shark Tank Presentation
Stand up and show your invention to the family judges! Tell them what it is and why it is amazing. Get big applause and maybe a gold star from the judges!
Materials and setup
- prototype or product sample
- poster board for pitch deck
- markers
- play money for investment
- timer
- paper for feedback
How this changes by age
Pre-K (ages 3–4)
Stand up and show your invention to the family judges! Tell them what it is and why it is amazing. Get big applause and maybe a gold star from the judges!
Steps
- Pick your favorite invention, drawing, or craft project.
- Stand in front of your family 'judges' (they sit at a table looking important).
- Say: 'Hi! My name is ___ and this is my ___!'
- Show your item and tell one thing that makes it special.
- Judges give you gold stars (1, 2, or 3) and say nice things about your idea.
- Everyone gets a turn presenting and everyone gets at least one gold star!
Learning objectives
- Present an idea to a panel of listeners
- Describe one key feature of a product
- Build confidence speaking in front of a group
Kindergarten (ages 5–6)
Have a real Shark Tank experience! Present your business idea with a product sample or drawing. Tell the judges what it is, who would buy it, and how much it costs. Try to get them to 'invest'!
Steps
- Prepare your product or a picture/model of it.
- Practice your pitch: 'Hello Sharks! I am ___ and I created ___. It costs $__ and it is great because ___.'
- Set up the room: judges sit at a table with play money to 'invest.'
- Deliver your pitch with a big smile and clear voice.
- Judges ask 2 questions each. Answer as best you can!
- Judges decide: 'I will invest $__ because ___' or 'I will not invest because ___.' Discuss what made the pitch convincing.
Learning objectives
- Deliver a structured product pitch to a panel
- Answer investor questions about a business idea
- Understand that investors decide based on the quality of the idea and presentation
Early elementary (ages 6–8)
Prepare and deliver a full Shark Tank-style pitch. Include a prototype or sample, your business plan highlights, pricing, and a specific investment request. Face tough questions from the judges and negotiate a deal.
Steps
- Prepare everything: prototype or product sample, a poster with key business facts, and your pitch script.
- Your pitch must include: The Problem, Your Product, How It Works (demo!), Target Customer, Pricing, How Much You Have Earned (or expect to earn), and Your Ask ('I am asking for $__ for __% of my company').
- Practice until you can deliver it in 3-4 minutes without notes.
- Present to your Shark Tank panel (family). Use your prototype as a demo.
- Sharks ask tough questions and may try to negotiate: 'I will give you $__ but I want __% instead.'
- Negotiate back! Try to get the best deal.
- After all pitches (if multiple kids), sharks discuss and make final offers.
Learning objectives
- Prepare and deliver a comprehensive business pitch with demonstration
- Include financial details and a specific investment request
- Negotiate terms with investors and defend your valuation
- Handle challenging questions with composure
Upper elementary (ages 8–10)
Execute a professional Shark Tank presentation with full financials, market validation data, competitive analysis, and a growth roadmap. Negotiate investment terms, handle objections, and deliver a polished final pitch after feedback rounds.
Steps
- Prepare a professional pitch deck on paper (8-10 'slides'): Title, Problem, Solution, Demo, Market Size, Competition, Business Model, Financials (P&L summary, projections), The Team, The Ask.
- Include real data wherever possible: survey results, actual sales, cost research.
- Build the best prototype you can. Practice a live demo.
- Deliver a 5-minute pitch to your Shark panel. Use your poster deck and prototype.
- Sharks conduct a 5-minute Q&A focusing on: financials, competition, scalability, and risks.
- Sharks make offers with specific terms. You negotiate: counter-offer, explain your reasoning, and try to close a deal.
- After Round 1, receive written feedback. You have 30 minutes to improve your pitch and financials. Deliver Round 2.
- Sharks make final investment decisions with written reasoning.
Learning objectives
- Create a professional pitch deck with data-driven content
- Present complex business information clearly in a timed format
- Negotiate investment terms using financial reasoning
- Iterate rapidly on a presentation based on detailed feedback
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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