Are you looking for a way to make economics more engaging for your homeschooler? One of the best ways to teach economics concepts is through interactive online games that help students experience decision-making in real time instead of simply reading about it in a textbook.

In this episode of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network show Homeschooling with Technology, host Meryl van der Merwe shares some of her favorite online economics games for homeschool students—from stock market simulators to budgeting games, business simulations, and international trade activities.

These games help students actively engage with economics concepts like:

• supply and demand
• budgeting
• entrepreneurship
• taxes
• government spending
• investing
• international trade
• financial decision-making

Whether you are teaching upper elementary students, middle schoolers, or high school economics, these online resources can make learning far more memorable and fun.

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Why Use Games to Teach Economics?

Economics can feel abstract when students only read definitions and memorize concepts. But games help students apply what they are learning through decision-making and problem-solving.

As Meryl explains, games encourage students to become active participants instead of passive learners.

When students:

• manage a city budget,
• run a business,
• invest in stocks,
• or balance a federal budget,

they begin to understand how economics works in real life.

Online games also naturally encourage:

• critical thinking
• strategy
• cause-and-effect reasoning
• long-term planning
• risk assessment

And perhaps most importantly—they make economics enjoyable.

Best Online Economics Games for Homeschoolers

Here are some of the best online economics games and simulations mentioned in this episode.

SimCity

One classic economics and city management game is SimCity. In this simulation game, students manage a city and make decisions about:

• zoning
• taxes
• budgets
• infrastructure
• city planning

As students play, they begin to see how economic decisions affect growth and stability.

While older versions may be harder to find on modern devices, similar city-building games and apps are still available.

Economics Concepts Covered

• budgeting
• taxes
• public services
• urban planning
• resource management

RollerCoaster Tycoon

Another classic simulation game is RollerCoaster Tycoon, where students design and manage an amusement park.

Students must:

• set prices
• manage expenses
• track revenue
• make business decisions
• attract customers

This game is excellent for teaching both economics and entrepreneurship.

Economics Concepts Covered

• pricing strategy
• entrepreneurship
• profit and loss
• customer demand
• business management

The Stock Market Game

One of the most valuable economics activities for homeschool students is participating in The Stock Market Game.

Students receive virtual money to invest and compete against teams across their state. During the game, students watch how current events and market changes affect stock prices.

Meryl notes that students typically receive $100,000 in virtual funds to invest over several weeks.

This activity works especially well for:

• homeschool co-ops
• support groups
• siblings working together
• economics classes

Economics Concepts Covered

• investing
• market fluctuations
• risk
• long-term planning
• economic events

How the Market Works

If you prefer a more flexible stock market simulator, Meryl also recommends How the Market Works, a free website that allows parents or teachers to set up their own stock market game.

This is ideal for:

• individual families
• homeschool classes
• personal finance courses

Parents can customize:

• the starting amount
• the timeline
• the rules

Economics Concepts Covered

• investing
• personal finance
• market strategy
• portfolio management

Lemonade Stand

For younger students, the classic Lemonade Stand game is a fantastic introduction to economics.

Students must decide:

• how much lemonade to make
• what price to charge
• how much inventory to buy
• how weather affects demand

This simple game teaches supply and demand in a very practical way.

Economics Concepts Covered

• supply and demand
• pricing
• inventory
• external market factors
• business basics

Digital Escape Room: Money, Banking, and the Federal Reserve

Meryl also shares a creative digital escape room activity focused on:

• money
• banking
• the Federal Reserve

Students solve clues and complete challenges while learning key economics concepts.

This activity adds:

• critical thinking
• problem-solving
• teamwork
• interactive learning

to economics lessons.

Fiscal Ship

Fiscal Ship teaches students about the federal budget and fiscal policy.

Students must make difficult decisions involving:

• taxes
• spending cuts
• balancing the budget
• public policy

The goal is to “balance the ship” while managing economic realities.

Economics Concepts Covered

• government spending
• taxes
• budgeting
• fiscal policy
• national debt

People’s Pie from iCivics

One of Meryl’s favorite educational platforms is iCivics, and the game People’s Pie is a great economics resource.

Students make decisions about:

• taxes
• retirement age
• government funding
• public policy priorities

At the same time, they must keep the public happy while balancing financial responsibility.

Economics Concepts Covered

• budgeting
• taxes
• government policy
• public approval
• resource allocation

Prisoner’s Dilemma Game

For high school economics students studying game theory, Meryl recommends a Prisoner’s Dilemma simulation.

This activity helps students understand:

• strategic decision-making
• incentives
• cooperation
• competition

Game theory is an important high school economics concept, and interactive simulations help students grasp it more easily.

Spent

The online game Spent helps students understand the challenges of living on minimum wage.

Players must survive for a month while making difficult financial choices with limited money.

This game opens important discussions about:

• wants vs. needs
• budgeting
• poverty
• financial pressure
• real-world tradeoffs

Economics Concepts Covered

• budgeting
• minimum wage
• needs vs. wants
• financial planning
• resource management

The Trade Game by the IMF

Finally, Meryl recommends The Trade Game from the International Monetary Fund website.

This game introduces students to:

• international trade
• economic relationships
• imports and exports
• global markets

While the website may feel a bit old-fashioned, the concepts remain valuable and relevant.

Economics Concepts Covered

• global trade
• imports and exports
• international economics
• trade relationships

Why Homeschoolers Benefit from Economics Games

Interactive games help homeschool students:

• engage more deeply with economics
• think critically
• learn through experience
• connect abstract concepts to real life

These activities also work well for:

• independent learners
• co-ops
• online classes
• family discussions
• unit studies

And because many of these games are online and self-paced, they fit naturally into homeschool schedules.

Economics Resources Mentioned in This Episode

In this episode, Meryl also mentions:

• her online high school economics class through FundaFunda Academy
• a stock market unit study for grades 4–8

These resources help homeschool families teach economics in a more engaging and practical way.

Key Takeaways About Teaching Economics Through Games

• Economics becomes more meaningful when students actively participate.
• Online games help students understand real-world decision-making.
• Simulation games can teach budgeting, investing, taxes, and entrepreneurship.
• Interactive learning often improves engagement and retention.
• Homeschool economics does not have to rely only on textbooks.

Listen to the Full Episode

In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl shares practical ways to make economics engaging and interactive through online games and simulations.

Whether you are teaching elementary students or high schoolers, these ideas can help bring economics to life in your homeschool.

FAQ: Teaching Economics Through Online Games

What age can students start learning economics through games?

Many economics games work well for upper elementary students, while others are designed for middle school and high school students.

Are online economics games educational?

Yes. Many simulation games teach important concepts like budgeting, investing, entrepreneurship, and supply and demand through interactive decision-making.

What is the best economics game for homeschoolers?

That depends on your student’s age and interests. Popular options include stock market simulators, Lemonade Stand, Fiscal Ship, and business management games like RollerCoaster Tycoon.

Can online games replace an economics curriculum?

Games work best as supplements to a full economics course or unit study. They help students apply and practice concepts in a hands-on way.

What economics concepts can games teach?

Online economics games can teach:

• supply and demand
• investing
• taxes
• budgeting
• entrepreneurship
• international trade
• government spending
• financial literacy