A Stone Age group bartering activity for KS2 from Tykeoons. Pupils become tribe members and discover first-hand why money was a game-changing invention.

Before money existed, people bartered (swapping goods directly with each other). This group activity puts that to the test. In groups of 6, pupils each take on the role of a different Stone Age tribe member, each holding a set of goods to trade and needing a specific set of goods in return. The catch: getting what you want requires a chain of swaps that is far harder to negotiate than it first appears. Pupils quickly discover for themselves why money made life so much simpler.

A strong cross-curricular activity linking history (Stone Age to Iron Age, Neolithic period) with financial education and economics. Works well as a standalone group challenge or as part of a broader unit on the history of money.

This activity is one of hundreds of resources on the Tykeoons primary financial education platform.

Suggested follow-up discussion questions:

• What were some of the challenges you faced in trying to get the items you wanted?
• What did you do when the person who had what you wanted didn’t want what you had?
• Why do you think money was invented?
• Why is using money an easier way to trade?
• What would things be like if we tried using barter instead of money nowadays?

This resource contains:

• Page 1 (print A4 single-sided, one copy per 6 pupils): 6 role cards showing each tribe member’s goods and wants
• Page 2 (print A4 single-sided, one copy per 6 pupils): individual item tokens to cut out and use for trading