Thrive Time for Teens
Board Game
Manufacturer:
Pay Your Family First LLC
Recommended Age: 13+
Retail Price: $29.95
Buy it here: amazon.com
On the web:
www.payyourfamilyfirst.com

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WTS Rating:


(5 out of 5 stars)

SUMMARY

In this reality game, teens start in high school and have part time jobs. They will be faced with money and life decisions like buying cars, managing expenses, giving back to their community, paying for college, using credit cards, buying stocks and starting businesses.

The winner is the teen that not only generates income and makes positive financial decisions, but also effectively manages their time and does good for those around them.

 
      

 

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY RATINGS

EASE OF USE
One quick read through the directions and the teens and tweens on our review team were off.  The game play flowed nicely, with the kids learning the inner-workings of the game as they played.  As the kids picked their cards, and worked their way through the worksheets they were starting to understand the real-life situations they were facing.  Subtle - yet definitely effective!  (Let's just say our parents were pleased with that part!)  Overall the teens on our review team felt that Thrive Time is designed well for fun, easy and quick-to-start play.
DURABILITY
The board and activity cards were all designed well and built to last.  With proper care there is no cause for concern in the durability departments.  Our parents were quick to raise the point that once you were out of the game sheets you would be stuck either not able to play the game or you would have to buy more.  Wrong Mom and Dad!  One quick visit to Thrive Time's website and you can print off as many sheets as you need!  Nice touch!
VISUAL APPEAL
Remember, Thrive Time is a board game designed for teens.  What does that mean?  No Candyland Colors!  But don't worry, the game board is designed well, and still colorful enough to attract a teen's eye.  The game sheets are also designed with older kids in mind - which in this case is a plus - it needs to be a worksheet that older kids enjoy working with.

One unexpected plus was the effect the game being played had on the room.  As a group of kids started playing Thrive Time, more and more teens were attracted to the table.  Now that is visual appeal!

FUNCTIONALITY
Fast game play.  Addition.  Decision making.  And fun.  There is plenty going on in Thrive Time - and believe us - our teens took notice.  They were all impressed with the fun questions and the way the game just moved right along.  Thrive Time packs plenty of function into every game.
COST EFFICIENCY
In a blind survey our parents priced Thrive Time right around $20.  With an actual retail price of just under $30 - the price is a little bit more than our parents would have liked.  With that said, there is a lot going on in this game, so it isn't like the dollars aren't well spent.

ORIGINALITY
Absolutely original!  Not a single member of our review team - teen or adult - had ever played a game quite like this.  Real life decision making affecting real life situations in a way that is informative and not condescending. 
OVERALL RATING
There may be no more important skill a parent can instill in their child than teaching them how to manage their money properly - and Thrive Time helps do exactly that!  Kids are placed in real-life situations, asked real-life questions and have a chance to see how the decisions they make affect their futures.  And the best part is - this is a game - so any poor choices won't cripple them - unlike a poor decision in the real world.  Thrive Time is fun to play, durable, functional and absolutely original!  Well done!