Halloween costume budget: a $30 money activity for grades 6–8

1. Set the goal: "You have $30 for a costume, and you want money left over if you can." Ask: "What are three ways to get a costume?" (Buy, make, borrow or swap.)
2. Post the price list and say clearly that the prices are made up: complete costume, $27.99; hat, $8.50; cape, $12.00; face paint, $6.25; felt sheets, $0.89 each; glue sticks, 2 for $3.00; cardboard, free; clothes you already own, free.
3. Plan A, buy. Students add sales tax to the complete costume. Use your local rate, or 7 percent: $27.99 × 1.07. Ask: "Is it under $30? How much is left?"
4. Plan B, make. Students choose at least three items for a homemade version and total them with tax. They must use at least one free item.
5. Plan C, swap. Students list what they could borrow or trade with a sibling, friend or class swap, and what they would still need to buy.
6. Compare. In groups, students answer: "Which plan costs least? Which takes most time? Which could you wear again?" They decide on one plan and defend it.
7. Discuss value, not just price: "Is cheapest always best? When would you pay more?"

Extension: students pretend they have one week and a $10 budget, and plan the best costume they can.

Not celebrating Halloween? Use the same lists for a school spirit day, a book character day, a play or a fall festival outfit.

Differentiation: for students who need support, round prices to the nearest dollar and skip tax at first. For advanced students, add a 20 percent off coupon on one item and ask whether the discount or the tax should come first and whether it matters. For English learners, post budget, total, tax, discount and value with an example. For students with disabilities, provide a calculator and a three-column plan (buy, make, swap) drawn in their notebook.

Quick check: "A $24 costume with 7 percent tax: will it fit a $25 budget?" (No. It costs $25.68.)

If you try it, tell us which plan most of your students chose and why.