Adulting 101 Game Board Adulting 101
Game Board: Part 1 - The Journey Begins
START
Pick a Career
Payday!
Rent Due
Surprise!
Pick a Ride
Grocery Run
Payday!
Flat Tire
Open Bank Account
Wi-Fi Bill
Payday!
Birthday Gift
Doctor Visit
Payday!
Electric Bill
New Clothes
Lost Wallet
Payday!
Tape to Part 2 here
Payday: Get Money
Bills: Pay Money
Life Event: Drawing a Card
Adulting 101
Game Board: Part 2 - Navigating the Community
Connection from Part 1
Join a Gym
Payday!
Phone Bill
Mail a Package
Broken Tooth
Payday!
Go to Movies
Rent Due
Payday!
Lottery Win
Voter Registration
Pet Care
Water Bill
Payday!
Holiday Sale
Volunteer Day
Retire!
Adulting Career and Housing Cards Career Selection Cards
Auto Mechanic
Education: Trade School
Salary (Per Payday)
$2,000
Graphic Designer
Education: College Degree
Salary (Per Payday)
$2,200
Delivery Driver
Education: High School
Salary (Per Payday)
$1,500
Nurse Aide
Education: Short Course
Salary (Per Payday)
$1,800
More Career Cards
Construction
Education: Trade School
Salary (Per Payday)
$2,100
Head Chef
Education: Culinary Art
Salary (Per Payday)
$1,900
Store Manager
Education: High School
Salary (Per Payday)
$1,700
IT Specialist
Education: Certificate
Salary (Per Payday)
$2,300
Housing Options
Studio Apartment
Small space, near downtown.
Rent (Per Month)
$800
Shared House
Live with 2 roommates.
Rent (Per Month)
$500
Townhouse
Nice yard, quiet street.
Rent (Per Month)
$1,200
Trailer Home
Affordable, out of town.
Rent (Per Month)
$600
More Housing Options
Basement Apartment
Small windows, but private.
Rent (Per Month)
$700
Suburban House
Big yard for a pet or family.
Rent (Per Month)
$1,500
City Loft
Open space, high ceilings.
Rent (Per Month)
$1,400
Stay with Family
Help out with chores and bills.
Cost (Per Month)
$200
Adulting Teacher Facilitation Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Unit: Adulting 101 - The Game of Life
Game Setup
Groups: 2-4 students per board.
Materials: Dice (or spinner), game board, player tokens, ledger sheets, and card decks (Career, Housing, Surprise).
Money: Use the provided Ledger to track balances. Students do NOT need physical paper money, as tracking on paper builds functional literacy.
Lesson Flow
Day 1: Careers
Present Intro Slides. Have students pick Career Cards. Note: Education levels determine salary.
Day 2: Housing
Explore housing types. Students pick a home and a ride based on their Day 1 salary.
Day 3-5: Gameplay
Students take turns moving through the board. Every "Payday" square adds salary. Every "Bill" square subtracts rent/utilities.
Support Strategies (5th Grade Level)
Visual Aids
Use calculators for all math. Provide high-contrast markers for the ledger.
Verbal Support
Read "Surprise Cards" aloud. Roleplay community interactions (bank, grocery).
Discussion Prompts
"Why is it harder to save money when you have a high rent?"
"What happens if you have an emergency but $0 in the bank?"
"How does your ride (car vs. bus) change how much money you have for fun?"
© 2026 Adulting 101 Curriculum - Functional Life Skills Series
Adulting 101 Game Money Adulting 101 Printable Money
Cut these out to use during the game!
$20 Adulting 101
TWENTY DOLLARS
$20 Adulting 101
TWENTY DOLLARS
$50 Adulting 101
FIFTY DOLLARS
$50 Adulting 101
FIFTY DOLLARS
$100 Adulting 101
ONE HUNDRED
$100 Adulting 101
ONE HUNDRED
$500 Adulting 101
FIVE HUNDRED
$500 Adulting 101
FIVE HUNDRED
Adulting 101 Intro Handout Adulting 101
Lesson 1 Handout: Welcome to the Game
Name: ____________________
What is Adulting?
Being an adult means making choices every day. In this game, your choices will change how much money you have and how you live!
Picking a job
Finding a home
Paying bills
The Starting Line
Today, you pick your Career Path. Think about how much you will make!
College Path
4 years of school. You start with more debt, but a higher salary later.
Trade Path
Learn a skill (like mechanic or nurse). Good pay and you start work soon.
Work Path
Start a job right away! You start earning money on your very first turn.
Key Term: Salary
A Salary is the money you get paid for doing your job. In this game, you get paid every time you land on or pass a PAYDAY square!
"Spend less than you make!"
Adulting Housing Handout Adulting 101
Lesson 2 Handout: Settling In
Name: ____________________
Where will you live?
Renting
Pay landlord monthly
Repairs are usually free
Good for starting out!
Buying
In this game, we start by renting to keep things simple!
Getting Around
Own a Car
Expensive ($$$). You pay for gas, repairs, and insurance.
Public Transit (Bus/Train)
Cheaper ($). You buy a pass and follow a schedule.
The Budget Check
Can you afford it? Look at your Salary. Subtract your Rent and your Ride.
Salary > Expenses
"Always leave money left over for food and fun!"
Adulting Money Manager Ledger Money Manager
Tracking my way to retirement!
Name:
Date:
My Profile
Career:
Salary:
$
Housing:
Rent/Mortgage:
$
Starting Balance
$1,000
Every player starts with $1,000 in savings!
Monthly Ledger
Action / Event Money IN (+) Money OUT (-) New Total Starting Game $1,000 --- $1,000
Final Balance at Retirement:
$
Adulting Money Math Handout Adulting 101
Lesson 3 Handout: Money Mastery
Name: ____________________
You've Got Mail: Bills!
Bills are money you must pay every month for things you use.
Electric Bill
Water Bill
Internet Bill
Phone Bill
Payday!
This is when you get your Salary. Time to add money to your total!
New Total = Old Total + Salary
Practice Your Math
Get Paid (Addition +)
$ 500 + $ 1,000 $_ _ _ _
Pay Rent (Subtraction -)
$ 1,500 - $ 800 $_ _ _ _
"Always check your math twice before writing on your ledger!"
Adulting Surprise and Ride Cards Life Event Cards
Draw one when you land on "Surprise!"
Flat Tire
Oh no! Your car needs a new tire.
PAY $100
Birthday Bonus
Grandma sent you a card with money!
GET $50
Common Cold
You need medicine and a day off.
PAY $40
Tax Refund
The government sent you a check!
GET $200
Screen Crack
Oops! You dropped your phone.
PAY $150
Yard Sale
You sold some old clothes and toys.
GET $80
More Surprise Cards
Speeding Ticket
Slow down! You were driving too fast.
PAY $120
Vet Visit
Your pet needs a check-up and shots.
PAY $150
Wedding Gift
Your best friend is getting married!
PAY $200
Lottery Win
You bought a winning scratch card!
GET $100
Overtime Pay
You worked extra hours this week.
GET $150
Found Money
You found a $20 bill on the sidewalk!
GET $20
Ride Cards
Used Sedan
Reliable and gets you to work.
Monthly Payment: $200
Bus Pass
Unlimited rides on public transit.
Monthly Payment: $50
Bicycle
Good for the planet and your health.
Maintenance: $10
Pickup Truck
Big and tough, but uses more gas.
Monthly Payment: $450
Adulting Surprise Handout Adulting 101
Lesson 4 Handout: Expect the Unexpected
Name: ____________________
Surprise!
An Emergency is a surprise that costs money. You didn't plan for it, but you have to pay!
Car Trouble
Flat tire or engine light.
Health Issues
Flu or dental emergency.
The Savings Safety Net
A Savings Account is money you keep for emergencies.
Step 1
Pay your bills first.
Step 2
Save a little bit every Payday.
Good Surprises
Not all surprises are bad! Sometimes you get a bonus at work or a gift from a friend. These go in your Money Manager as a PLUS (+).
What would you do?
If your phone screen cracks and costs $100 to fix, but you only have $50 in your savings, what is one way you could get the rest of the money?
Adulting Community Quest Activity Community Quest
Name: ____________________
In the game, you land on community spots like the Bank, Post Office, or Grocery Store. Practice what to do at each place!
1. The Bank
You want to put money into your account so it is safe. This is called a Deposit.
Draw a circle around the word: DEPOSIT
WITHDRAW DEPOSIT
2. The Post Office
You need to send a birthday gift to your friend. Where do you write the addresses?
Return Address
STAMP
To: ____________________
3. The Grocery Store
You have $20. Pick 3 items you need for dinner.
🍞 Bread ($3)
🥛 Milk ($4)
🥚 Eggs ($5)
🍎 Apples ($6)
🍗 Chicken ($10)
🍫 Candy ($2)
Total Spent: $ _________
Adulting Community Handout Adulting 101
Lesson 5 Handout: Community Connections
Name: ____________________
Important Places
The Bank
Keep money safe.
Post Office
Send mail/packages.
Grocery Store
Buy food/necessities.
Asking for Help
It is okay to not know where something is! You can ask a worker or a friend.
"Excuse me, can you help me find the stamps?"
The Quest
Today, we will practice visiting these places. Complete your Community Quest Sheet to win!
Be a Good Neighbor!
Identify a Community Spot
What is one place in your real neighborhood that you go to when you need something?
Adulting Summative Assessment Guide My Adulting Story
Summative Unit Assessment
Written Report
Verbal Presentation
Poster/Slides
The Challenge
You have finished the game! Now it is time to tell the story of your "Adult Life." You can choose to write your answers or tell them to the class. Use your **Money Manager Ledger** to help you.
1. My Career & House
Tell us about where you worked and lived.
What job did you pick and why?
Where did you live? Was it expensive?
2. The Surprise!
Life is full of ups and downs.
What was your favorite "Surprise Card" you drew?
How did it change your money balance?
3. Reflection
What did you learn?
What was the hardest part about managing money?
What is one tip you would give a friend starting the game?
How you will be graded
Skill Great Job! (3 pts) Doing Well (2 pts) Needs Practice (1 pt) Career & Housing Clearly explains both choices. Explains one choice. Does not explain choices. Money Tracking Ledger is full and math is correct. Ledger is mostly full. Ledger is empty or hard to read. Reflection Shares a clear lesson learned. Shares a simple lesson. Does not share a lesson. Presentation Speaks or writes clearly with detail. Speaks or writes some detail. Uses very few words.
Total Score:
/ 12 Points