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National

Play Monopoly Day

Learning Adventure

Roll the dice and explore a surprisingly twisty game history.

Curated by Laela
national play monopoly day
Make Your Move!
πŸ“Œ Quick FactsπŸ“… November 19πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Celebrated in the US πŸ’΅ Monopoly’s bank grew from $15,140 to $20,580!
❀️ Why We Celebrate

National Play Monopoly Day is the perfect excuse to gather around the table for one of the world’s best-known board games. With hundreds of editions inspired by different places, stories, and interests, Monopoly has become much more than a single game board.

πŸ’‘ Did You Know?

In 1983, divers played Monopoly underwater in an aquarium tank surrounded by sharks!

✨ Adventure Highlights
✏️ Writing with Numbers 🎲 Probability πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ WWII Escape Maps πŸ“ˆ Economics
ο»Ώ
1

Read

πŸ“–

Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented

by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Steven Salerno

The history behind Monopoly has more twists than you might expect. This picture book introduces readers to Lizzie Magie, Charles Darrow, and the long path from The Landlord’s Game to one of the world’s best-known board games.

It’s an especially good fit for today’s adventure because the story blends invention, economics, history, and math. Even the back matter keeps the numbers going with a collection of “Monopoly Math” problems.

πŸ“– View Book
2

Write

✏️
Create a My Life in Numbers page using 6–8 numbers that tell something about who you are. Some can be simple facts, but choose at least two numbers with a story behind them.

For example:

4 β€” people in my family
27 β€” books I read this summer
314 β€” miles to my favorite vacation spot
9 β€” the age I was when I learned to skate

Think beyond your age and birthday. How many pets do you have? How many states have you visited? What number appears on a favorite jersey? How far away does someone you love live? Is there a date, score, time, address number, or measurement that carries a memory?

MONOPOLY is a trademark of Hasbro, Inc. Dress Up Your Writing is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro.

3

Play

πŸŽ‰
monopoly money

Banker's Math Challenge

Pull out your Monopoly game and let the math become part of game night.

Choose a banker, then rotate the job during the game so everyone gets a turn handling the money. Whenever possible, let players calculate their own payments and change before the banker checks the answer.

For younger players, focus on counting bills, adding, and making change. Older players can keep a running estimate of how much money they have left and decide whether they can afford their next big purchase.

Don’t have time for an epic game? Set a timer for 30 minutes and call it a family speed round.

πŸ’œ Resources We Love Β· Some links are affiliate links that support DUYW at no extra cost to you.
🌎 Keep Exploring

Every adventure has another path to follow. Choose a trail and see where your curiosity leads!

History Trail: A Secret Escape Kit

During World War II, an ordinary-looking Monopoly set could hide something extraordinary. Britain’s military worked with the company that made the game in the United Kingdom to conceal silk maps and other escape tools inside special sets sent to prisoners of war.

Wonder Challenge:
Why do you think a map printed on silk would have been more useful to an escaping prisoner than one printed on paper? Look up a WWII silk escape map and see what you notice.

History Trail: Meet Lizzie Magie

Decades before Monopoly appeared in stores, inventor Lizzie Magie patented The Landlord’s Game. Her board included property ownership, railroads, taxes, and even a space that sent players to jail.

Wonder Challenge: Look at an image of Magie’s original 1904 game-board. Which features remind you of games people still play today?

Economics Trail: What’s a Monopoly?

The word monopoly comes from Greek roots meaning roughly β€œone seller.” In economics, a monopoly happens when one seller controls a market with little or no competition. Explore Easy Peasy Finance’s kid-friendly explanation of monopolies, which also includes free resources for teachers and families.

Wonder Challenge: Imagine a town with only one place to buy ice cream. How might prices or choices change if three competing ice cream shops opened nearby?

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Print & Plan

Printable Lesson Snapshot

Keep today’s book pick, writing prompt, family activity, and discussion ideas together in one colorful overview.

View & Print This Adventure Perfect for homeschool or classroom planning.

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