Key Stage 2, 3 and 4
Planning a trip to a theme park
Background
The activities here are designed to help pupils consider the costs of a fun day out with family or friends and to
devise a plan so as to stick within a reasonable budget.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this lesson pupils will have the ability to:
• identify the full range of costs associated with a day trip to a theme park
• consider best value for money
• prioritise spending choices
• devise a savings plan to afford an outing
Materials needed
• Mind map, such as sample attached.
• Set of spending cards with prices.
• Budget planner.
Extra advice
Website research will make the activities more interesting and relevant. However, sufficient materials are supplied
for self-contained exercise.
Tasks
1 Start with the mind map activity to explore the full range of costs associated with a day trip to a theme park.
2 Use cards to plan a Day Trip for a Family or Group of 4 people. Provide ‘Economy Package’,
‘Budget Package - £120 for whole day’ and ‘Luxury Package’.
•‘Economy Package’ includes the bare necessities for a fun day out and might include ideas such as packed
lunch from home.
• ‘Budget Packet’ means that all costs must not exceed a specific limit, e.g., £120.
• ‘Luxury Package’ packs maximum fun for the day (without costing an exorbitant amount!)
3 Pupils to consider a savings plan so that they can afford a trip to a theme park during the summer holidays:
Suppose you get £3 (or £5) per week in pocket money. As a result, your parents want you to pay your own way
for the day to the theme park. Use budgeting planning sheet to make a savings plan in preparation for the day
out. Suppose you have siz weeks to prepare.
Review
Consider the pros and cons of a one-time ‘Luxury Package’ VS. an ‘Economy Package’.
Variations
If access to Internet is possible, pupils could visit the website of a local or favourite theme park and use up-to-date
price information to plan an actual day out with friends during the summer holidays (e.g., trip to AltonTowers:
or to DraytonManorPark: )
The budgeting activities here might be combined with an enterprise activity where pupils work on designing a new
theme park ride.
There is also scope for a link to a maths activity on probability of winning any money on game machines in
the arcade.
Resource sheet 1:
Key Stage 2, 3 and 4
Key Stage 2, 3 and 4
Resource sheet 2: Mind Map – Possible Answers
4 5 6
Key Stage 2, 3 and 4
Resource sheet 3: Trip Budget Planner
Departure Date:
Cost of Trip:
Try drawing up a budget plan to show how you manage your finances to afford your trip.
Week/Month 1 2 3
Income
1.
2.
3.
Total I can spend
Spending each week
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Total spending
Money left to save
towards the trip
Key Stage 2, 3 and 4
Resource sheet 4: Page 1
Key Stage 2, 3 and 4
Resource sheet 4: Page 2
Key Stage 2, 3 and 4
Resource sheet 4: