Help young learners understand the difference between needs and wants with this engaging sorting activity. Designed for EYFS and KS1 students, this printable cut and paste worksheet introduces children to basic economic and personal decision-making concepts in a simple, relatable way.
Children will look at everyday items and decide whether each one is a “need” (something essential for survival) or a “want” (something nice to have). This activity promotes critical thinking, discussion, and early social studies understanding.
Perfect for PSHE lessons, community and citizenship topics, or classroom discussions about making smart choices.
What Is Included:
One sorting mat (Needs / Wants)
12 to 16 illustrated item cards (e.g., food, toys, water, games, clothes)
Cut and paste version for hands-on engagement
Answer key included for guidance or assessment
Black and white and color options for printing flexibility
Learning Objectives:
Identify basic human needs vs wants
Build vocabulary around essential items
Strengthen decision-making and reasoning skills
Develop fine motor skills through cutting and pasting
Encourage conversation and reflection about daily choices
Suitable For:
EYFS and KS1 classrooms
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
Ages 4 to 7
PSHE, citizenship, and social studies units
Homeschool or special education settings
Something went wrong, please try again later.
This resource hasn't been reviewed yet
To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it
to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions.
Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.
£1.99