A UKS2 PSHE reading and comprehension activity on loot boxes and online spending. Real-world financial risk explored through fiction. Active learning throughout.

Alex is 13 and loves gaming. When he spots a Galaxy Hoverboard worth £20 available in a £2 loot box, the excitement of possibly winning pulls him deeper into a cycle of spending, disappointment, and ultimately guilt. This short story traces his journey from that first thrilling box opening to the moment he realises the game has been designed to keep him spending.

The story is followed by three differentiated sets of comprehension questions, moving from recall and inference through to critical thinking about consumer psychology, game design ethics, and self-regulation. A rich context for discussion in PSHE or English, with obvious links to financial education and online safety.

NOTE Gambling is a sensitive topic, so it is worth setting some ground rules before introducing this story (for example, no open discussion of real people with similar experiences, and an acknowledgement that gambling is forbidden in some religions and cultures).

Want the full loot boxes lesson? Find it here on TES!

This activity is one of hundreds of resources on the Tykeoons primary financial education platform.

This resource contains:

• Alex’s Story (short fiction, one page)
• Three differentiated sets of comprehension questions (Challenge 1, 2 and 3)

Extension challenge:

• Write a new ending in which Alex can’t stop himself from chasing the top prize.