Wants vs. Needs

Kindergarten · Social Studies · Study Guide

Learn the difference between things we must have to live and things we would just like to have.

A need is something you must have to stay alive and healthy. Food, water, shelter, and clothing are all needs. Without these things, it would be very hard to survive.

A want is something you would like to have, but you do not need it to stay alive. Toys, candy, video games, and new sneakers are wants. They might be fun or nice to have, but life goes on without them.

Sometimes it can be tricky to tell the difference. Clothes are a need, but a specific fancy outfit is a want. Food is a need, but pizza for every meal is a want.

Understanding needs and wants helps us make smart choices about spending money. Families take care of their needs first. Then, if there is money left over, they might buy some wants.

Being thankful for having your needs met is an important lesson. Many people around the world work hard to make sure their families have all their basic needs.

Key terms

need
Something you must have to live and stay healthy, like food and water
want
Something you would like to have but do not need to survive
shelter
A place to live and stay safe, which is a basic need
food
Something we eat to give our bodies energy, which is a basic need
clothing
Things we wear to protect our bodies, which is a basic need

Flashcards

need
Something required to live and stay healthy, like food and water
want
Something nice to have but not needed to survive, like a toy
shelter
A home or safe place to live, which is a basic need
food
What we eat to keep our bodies going, a basic need
water
What we drink to stay alive, a basic need
clothing
What we wear to protect our bodies, a basic need
choice
Deciding between two or more things, like a need or a want

Questions

  1. Which of these is a NEED?

    1. A new toy
    2. Clean water
    3. A video game
    4. A bicycle
    Show answer

    Answer: Clean water

    Clean water is a need because our bodies must have water to survive.

  2. A toy is something you need to stay alive.

    Show answer

    Answer: False

    A toy is a want. It is fun, but we do not need toys to stay alive.

  3. A place to live and stay safe is called _____.

    Show answer

    Answer: shelter

    Shelter is a place to live and stay safe, and it is one of our basic needs.

  4. Which of these is a WANT?

    1. Water
    2. Food
    3. A video game
    4. Clothing
    Show answer

    Answer: A video game

    A video game is a want. It is fun to play with, but we do not need it to live.

  5. Families should take care of their needs before spending money on wants.

    Show answer

    Answer: True

    Smart families make sure their needs like food, water, and shelter are taken care of first.

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