Grocery Priced Right

Items Needed:

Instructions (Estimated Time: 25–30 minutes):

Set the Stage (3–5 minutes)
- Introduce the idea that grocery stores often have brand-name and store-brand (generic) versions of the same item. One costs more, but is it always better?
- Explain: The goal is to guess the actual average price of both options and decide which is the better deal.
Game Rounds (15–20 minutes)
- Divide scouts into small teams (2–3 per group).
- Play 5–7 “rounds” of pricing comparison. For each round, show or read aloud a product match-up like:
  - Brand-name cereal vs. store-brand cereal
  - Peanut butter: Famous brand vs. generic
  - Sandwich bread: Name-brand vs. discount store brand
  - Juice boxes, pasta sauce, crackers, etc.
- For each item pair, scouts must:
  - Guess the price of each (prices can be rounded to the nearest 25¢ and they need to get the closest without going over)
  - Decide which one is the better deal for a thrifty shopper
  - Bonus: Choose which one they would buy and why
- You can give the actual prices after each round and celebrate correct guesses with a point or sticker.
Wrap-Up Discussion (5–7 minutes)
- Gather as a troop to reflect:
  - Which item had the biggest price difference?
  - Were they surprised by how much branding costs?
  - How does this help them think like a budget builder?
- Encourage scouts to share one thrifty tip they learned from the game.

Prices were created from average real costs for across the U.S. in July 2025. Guess the better deal and real-world price!

Tia Kennard