Pop to the Shops Game: An Overview
Embark on a delightful shopping adventure with Pop to the Shops! This engaging board game transforms players into shoppers and shopkeepers, fostering imagination and essential money-handling skills. Race around the shops, buy items and be the first to collect six items to win!
Game Objective
The primary objective of Pop to the Shops is for players to race around a vibrant game board, visiting various shops to purchase items on their individual shopping lists. Players take on the roles of both shoppers and shopkeepers, engaging with realistic play money. The ultimate goal is to be the first player to successfully collect six different items on their shopping bag board. This teaches children to learn to take turns and improves counting skills. This is a fun way to help kids learn counting, adding and subtracting, and using money. The game encourages strategic thinking, money management and social interaction as players navigate the shops and handle transactions, fostering a fun and educational experience for all participants.
Number of Players and Age Range
Pop to the Shops is designed to be enjoyed by a small group, accommodating between 2 to 4 players. This makes it ideal for family game nights or small gatherings with friends. The game is most suitable for children aged 5 to 9 years old, as it aligns with their developmental stage in understanding basic math concepts and money handling. The game’s simple gameplay and engaging theme make it accessible to younger players, while the strategic elements and counting requirements provide a challenge for older children within the specified age range. It promotes personal and social skills. The mini games are portable. The game links with Early Learning Goals and National Curriculum Maths.
Game Components
Pop to the Shops includes a colorful game board, character pieces, play money, item cards (colored and white-backed), shopping bag boards, and dice. These components work together to create an engaging and educational shopping experience for players.
The Game Board
The game board is a vibrant and crucial element of Pop to the Shops, depicting a variety of shops that players will visit during the game. These shops include a bakery, newsagent, greengrocer, and others. The board is designed with colorful spaces that guide players along their shopping route, with spaces that correspond to the dice roll. The layout facilitates movement between the shops, creating a dynamic environment for the shopping race. Each shop contains a place to put the yellow backed cards in the spaces within the relevant shops, and each shop is a different color.
Character Pieces
Each player selects a unique character piece at the beginning of the game. These character pieces are 3D and represent the shopkeeper for each shop. The characters are designed to be easily recognizable and appealing to young players. The character pieces are used to navigate the game board, moving from shop to shop. Players will move their character piece around the board, to make purchases. Each character piece starts at the doorway of the matching colored shop. The character pieces add a personal touch to the game and help children learn about social interactions.
Play Money
The game includes realistic-looking play money to facilitate transactions. The money consists of various denominations, typically 10p, 20p, and 50p coins. This play money is used for buying items from the shops. Players must manage their money carefully to make purchases. At the start of the game, each player receives a starting amount of play money. This money is essential for learning about giving change. The play money helps teach children about financial literacy, as they have to count and manage their funds. The play money is a key component for developing financial skills.
Item Cards (Colored and White-Backed)
The game includes two types of item cards: colored and white-backed. Colored cards correspond to specific items in the shops. These cards are placed on the matching shop shelves on the game board. White-backed cards represent items that players need to buy. These cards are placed face down, creating a draw pile. Players pick these cards to determine their shopping lists. The item cards add an element of chance and planning to the game. This encourages strategic thinking and decision-making, so players learn to prioritize their purchases. The item cards are essential for gameplay.
Shopping Bag Boards
Each player receives a personal shopping bag board. This board serves as a visual representation of the items they have collected. The goal is to fill the shopping bag board with six different items. As players successfully purchase items from the shops, they place the corresponding colored item cards onto their board. The shopping bag boards provide a tangible sense of progress. They allow players to easily track their progress towards victory. The boards also help younger players visualize the concept of collecting and completing a set; The shopping bag boards are individual player mats.
Dice
A single dice determines movement around the game board. The dice roll dictates how many spaces a player can move their character during their turn. Rolling the dice introduces an element of chance, adding unpredictability to the gameplay. Players must strategically plan their route based on the number rolled. A high roll can quickly advance a player towards their desired shop, while a low roll may require more careful navigation. The dice are used each turn. The dice make the game more exciting. The dice will decide how you will make your way around the shops.
Setting Up the Game
Prepare for a shopping spree! Assemble the board, placing item cards in the shop windows. Distribute play money to each player. Finally, each player needs to select their initial item cards. Now, you are ready to play!
Assembling the Board and Placing Shop Items
Begin by unfolding the game board and ensuring it lies flat on the playing surface, creating the central hub for your shopping adventure. Identify the colored spaces located within each shop on the board. Locate the item cards with matching colored backgrounds and carefully place one card onto each corresponding colored space within the shop windows.
These cards represent the items available for purchase in each store, setting the stage for players to strategically plan their shopping routes. The board is now ready for players to navigate and start buying!
Distributing Money to Players
The next step is to distribute the play money to each player, ensuring everyone has the necessary funds to begin their shopping spree. Each player receives a starting amount, typically consisting of two 50p coins, two 20p coins, and one 10p coin. This initial sum allows players to make small purchases and manage their finances effectively.
The remaining coins are designated as the bank, managed by one player who acts as the banker. This individual will handle transactions and ensure the availability of funds throughout the game, creating a realistic shopping simulation.
Selecting Initial Item Cards
With the board assembled and money distributed, each player needs an initial shopping list. To begin, shuffle the white-backed item cards and place them face down. Each player then randomly selects one item card, revealing their first purchase goal.
If a player draws an item that corresponds to their own shop, they must return it to the draw pile and select a new card. This ensures that players must visit other shops and engage in transactions to complete their shopping lists. The cards represent the items that each player is looking to buy during the game.
Gameplay Instructions
The gameplay of Pop to the Shops revolves around strategic movement, money management, and polite interactions. Players take turns rolling the dice, navigating the board, and purchasing items from various shops to fill their shopping bags.
Taking Turns: Rolling the Dice and Moving
Each player’s turn begins by rolling the die, determining how many spaces their character will move along the game board. Movement must be made in the direction of the shop where the item on the player’s current item card is sold. Players move their character pieces the corresponding number of spaces indicated on the die, following the path connecting the various shops. Plan your route strategically to reach your desired shop efficiently, bearing in mind that other players may also be heading to the same location!
Buying Items at the Correct Shop
Upon reaching the shop that sells the item on their current card, a player can attempt to purchase it. The player must politely ask the shopkeeper for the item, demonstrating good manners; If the player has enough money, they pay the amount shown on the item card to the shopkeeper. The player then places the colored card onto their shopping bag board, signifying the successful purchase. Remember to say “please” and “thank you” when interacting with the shopkeeper, reinforcing social skills and politeness.
Dealing with Insufficient Funds
Sometimes, a player may arrive at the correct shop but discover they don’t have enough play money to purchase the desired item. In this scenario, the player cannot buy the item during that turn. They must remain at the shop until their next turn. During their next turn, they can either attempt to earn more money by having other players visit their shop, or they can choose to pick a new item if possible. Strategic money management is key to success in Pop to the Shops.
Returning to Your Shop
After successfully purchasing an item from another player’s shop, players must return their character piece to the doorway of their own shop. This signifies the end of their turn and prepares them for their next shopping endeavor. The player then draws a new item card, keeping it secret from other players, and plans their next move around the board. Returning to your shop after each purchase adds a strategic element, as players must carefully consider their next destination and manage their money effectively.
Winning the Game
The first player to successfully navigate the shops, purchase six different items, and fill their shopping bag board is declared the winner of Pop to the Shops! Congratulations on your shopping success!
Collecting Six Items
To be crowned the ultimate shopping champion in Pop to the Shops, a player must strategically acquire six distinct items and successfully place them on their individual shopping bag board. This requires careful planning, a bit of luck with the dice rolls, and prudent management of their play money. Each purchased item represents a step closer to victory.
The first player who fills their shopping bag with six items, demonstrating their superior shopping skills and financial acumen, emerges as the winner. So, race around the board, make smart purchases, and aim to be the first to complete your shopping list!
Educational Benefits
Pop to the Shops offers a playful learning environment. Players practice money handling, basic math, and social skills. This game cleverly combines fun and education, making learning an enjoyable experience for young players.
Money Handling Skills
Pop to the Shops is an excellent tool for teaching children about money management. Throughout the game, players engage with play money, learning to identify different denominations and understand their values. Buying items requires players to count out the correct amount and politely pay the shopkeeper. Furthermore, the game introduces the concept of giving change, as players may need to receive money back after a purchase. These interactions help children develop practical money-handling skills in a fun and engaging way. They learn the basics of financial literacy while enjoying the game, making it a valuable educational experience.
Counting and Basic Maths
Beyond money handling, Pop to the Shops subtly reinforces crucial counting and basic math skills. Players count spaces as they move their characters around the board, solidifying their understanding of number sequences. Buying items involves adding up the cost and ensuring they have enough money, promoting addition skills. Calculating change requires subtraction, further honing their mathematical abilities. The game integrates these mathematical concepts seamlessly into the gameplay, making learning feel natural and enjoyable. By counting, adding, and subtracting in a real-world context, children develop a stronger grasp of essential math skills while having fun playing the game.
Social Skills and Manners
Pop to the Shops isn’t just about money and math; it’s also a fantastic tool for nurturing crucial social skills and reinforcing good manners. During gameplay, children take turns rolling the dice and moving, learning the importance of patience and waiting for their turn. When they arrive at a shop to purchase an item, they must politely ask the shopkeeper for the item they want to buy, and say “please” and “thank you.” These interactions foster good communication skills and reinforce the significance of politeness in everyday situations. The game encourages children to interact respectfully, creating a positive and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone involved.