Opportunity Cost Choice Cards
Used in: Week 9 (Opportunity Cost)
These cards present realistic choice scenarios where learners must pick one option and identify what they give up. Use them for the Choice Challenge activity, group discussion, or independent reflection.
Two-Option Choice Cards
For each card, the learner picks one option and names the opportunity cost.
| Choice 1 | Option A: Buy a new book for $8 | Option B: Buy art supplies for $8 |
|---|---|---|
| You chose: ______ | Your opportunity cost: ______ |
| Choice 2 | Option A: Spend Saturday at a friend's house | Option B: Spend Saturday working on a creative project |
|---|---|---|
| You chose: ______ | Your opportunity cost: ______ |
| Choice 3 | Option A: Save your $10 for next week | Option B: Buy a small toy for $10 today |
|---|---|---|
| You chose: ______ | Your opportunity cost: ______ |
| Choice 4 | Option A: Get the large popcorn at the movies for $7 | Option B: Get the small popcorn for $4 and save $3 |
|---|---|---|
| You chose: ______ | Your opportunity cost: ______ |
| Choice 5 | Option A: Use your birthday money to buy a game ($15) | Option B: Save your birthday money toward a bigger goal ($50 skateboard) |
|---|---|---|
| You chose: ______ | Your opportunity cost: ______ |
| Choice 6 | Option A: Spend your free hour playing outside | Option B: Spend your free hour reading a new library book |
|---|---|---|
| You chose: ______ | Your opportunity cost: ______ |
Three-Option Choice Cards (Harder)
These have three options but the learner can only choose one. The opportunity cost is the single best alternative they gave up.
| Choice 7 | You have $12. Pick one: |
|---|---|
| Option A | A new puzzle — $12 |
| Option B | A pack of trading cards — $5 (with $7 left over) |
| Option C | Put all $12 into savings |
| You chose: ______ | Your opportunity cost (the next-best option you gave up): ______ |
| Choice 8 | You have one free afternoon. Pick one: |
|---|---|
| Option A | Go to the park with friends |
| Option B | Work on your art project |
| Option C | Help a neighbor with yard work (they offer $5) |
| You chose: ______ | Your opportunity cost: ______ |
| Choice 9 | You have $20. Pick one combination: |
|---|---|
| Option A | Movie ticket ($10) + snack ($5) + save $5 |
| Option B | New book ($8) + art supplies ($7) + save $5 |
| Option C | Save all $20 toward a bike |
| You chose: ______ | Your opportunity cost: ______ |
Budget-Based Choice Card
This card connects opportunity cost to budgeting.
You have $20 for the week. Here are things you could spend it on:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🧸 Small toy | $5 |
| 🍬 Candy | $4 |
| 🎨 Art supplies | $8 |
| ⏰ Extra game time | $6 |
| 📖 A new book | $7 |
| 🎵 Music download | $3 |
| 💰 Save for later | Any amount |
Step 1: Choose how to spend your $20. Write your purchases here:
| What I Bought | Cost |
|---|---|
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| Total Spent | $ |
| Saved | $ |
Step 2: Write down everything you did NOT buy:
Step 3: Of the things you did not buy, which one do you wish you could have had the most?
That is your opportunity cost.
Discussion Prompts
After using the cards, discuss as a group:
- Was it hard to choose? Why?
- Did anyone pick the same option for the same card? Did anyone pick differently?
- Does having an opportunity cost mean you made a bad choice? (No!)
- How might thinking about opportunity cost help you make better decisions in the future?