Barter Game

Activity TypeGame

Description

Participants trade paper cards showing goods they have and goods they want, attempting to find matching exchange partners before time expires. They repeat the activity with macaroni as a common medium of exchange, then compare the ease of trade and the limitations of using a commodity as money.

Objectives

Participants experience and compare direct barter with exchange using a commodity as money.

Materials

Paper sheets cut into rectangles
Macaroni or a similar item

Preparation Notes

Prepare cards showing each student’s “have” and “want.”

Setup

Participants keep their original “want” and trade their “have” until the two match.

Procedure

Step 1

Allow five minutes for trading. Participants return to their seats when their new “have” matches their original “want,” or when time expires.

Step 2

Ask how many participants achieved their goal after one, two, or three trades. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of barter.

Step 3

Give each student one piece of macaroni and assume every good costs one piece of macaroni. Repeat the goal and discuss commodity money.

Discussion Questions

Why could some participants trade and others not? Was the macaroni round easier? What are the drawbacks of macaroni as money?

Notes

Bitcoin Diploma assessment link: May provide the individual-response context for T1 / C1. Use the approved protocol and record an individual explanation and comparison; otherwise, this activity is formative.