Running a shop is one of the most timeless forms of pretend play. Children love the idea of being in charge — deciding what to sell, helping customers, and handling money. A shopkeeper game brings that experience to life with real maths built in.
myplayshop lets your child open and run their very own shop. It’s not a simplified toy version — the prices are real, the money is real (realistic coins and notes from 7 currencies), and the maths matters.
Why Shopkeeper Play Is So Effective
Pretend play isn’t just entertainment. Research consistently shows that role-play helps children develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills. When children play shopkeeper, they’re practising:
- Responsibility — They’re in charge of a whole shop
- Decision-making — Which items to stock, what prices to set
- Customer service — Helping people and solving problems
- Maths in context — Every transaction requires real calculation
- Sequencing — Following a logical order from scanning to payment to change
The power of a shopkeeper game is that children choose to do maths because the story demands it — not because an adult told them to.
What Your Child Can Do
Pick a Shop
Choose from seven ready-made shops, each with its own themed products:
- Supermarket — Everyday groceries and household items
- Bakery — Cakes, bread, and pastries
- Toy Shop — Plushies, puzzles, and games
- Ice Cream Parlour — Scoops, cones, and toppings
- Flower Shop — Bouquets and potted plants
- Book Shop — Stories and adventure books
- Pet Shop — Pet food and accessories
Or create a completely custom shop with their own products and prices.
Run the Shop
Once the shop is open, customers arrive. Your child scans their items, watches the total add up, takes their payment in coins and notes, and gives the correct change. Every sale is a mini maths problem wrapped in play.
See the Results
At the end of a session, the End of Day Report shows how much they sold, how much they earned, and how they did with making change. It’s a natural way to practise reading numbers and spotting patterns.
How It Grows With Your Child
Ages 4–5: Focus on scanning items, recognising coins, and enjoying the shopkeeper role. The maths is light — the play is the point.
Ages 6–7: Start handling payments and giving simple change. The register keeps totals, so they can check their work.
Ages 8–10: Take on more complex transactions, manage bigger totals, and aim for perfect change every time. Social play with siblings or friends adds another layer.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of It
- Let them choose — Part of the appeal is autonomy. Let your child pick their shop and set it up how they want
- Play customer — Sit with your child and pretend to be a demanding customer. “I’d like three cupcakes and a loaf of bread, please!”
- Connect it to real shopping — “Remember how you gave change in your bakery? That’s exactly what the cashier at Tesco does”
- Don’t correct too quickly — The game gives feedback. Let your child figure it out themselves first