The Candy Economy

Worksheet Description

This worksheet, titled “Spooky Economics of Halloween Treats,” tells a story set in the town of Maplewood on Halloween night. It draws a parallel between the behavior of trick-or-treaters collecting candy and basic economic principles. The narrative outlines a scenario where children act as consumers seeking the best ‘deal’ on candy, while houses with the most popular candy experience high demand, and those with less desirable treats experience low demand. It illustrates how supply and demand can vary even in a festive, neighborhood setting.

The “Trick-or-Trade – The Candy Economy” worksheet is designed to teach students about supply and demand in an accessible and entertaining context. Through the Halloween-themed story, students learn how limited supply and high demand can lead to a ‘market’ of sorts, with trick-or-treaters making strategic decisions on where to get the best ‘value’ for their effort. The tale shows that even in such informal settings, economic concepts like scarcity, consumer preference, and resource allocation are at play. This engaging approach aims to help students understand that the choices they make based on these concepts can affect outcomes, a lesson that’s useful in understanding real-world economics.