SimplyFun Reviewed: Is This Board Game Side Hustle Worth Your Time?
If you’re on the hunt for a side hustle that doesn’t feel like work and lets you involve your family, selling educational board games might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But that’s exactly what SimplyFun offers — and they’ve recently switched things up. As of early 2023, SimplyFun ditched the traditional direct sales model and moved to an affiliate program with zero upfront fees. That means no inventory, no parties to host, no pressure to recruit. You just share a link and earn whenever someone buys. In this review, we’ll break down how the new model works, what you can realistically expect to earn, and whether it’s a good fit for your freelance income stack.
The Pivot: From Consultant to Affiliate
SimplyFun started back in 2004 as a standard direct sales company selling board games and toys. By 2008, they’d shifted focus to educational games and built a solid reputation — over 200 awards from parenting and education organizations. But here’s the part that matters for side hustlers: the old model required a startup kit ($49 or $139), inventory handling, and party bookings. The new affiliate model? Zero fees. You get a unique link, promote the games however you like, and earn a 10% commission on every sale. No minimums, no quotas, no boss telling you what to do. If you’ve already got a blog, a YouTube channel, or a social media following focused on parenting, education, or family activities, this could be a low-effort addition to your income streams.
What You’re Actually Selling
SimplyFun’s catalog covers over 100 games and puzzles sorted by age (preschool through teens and families) and skill area — reading, STEM, social studies, critical thinking, and even games designed for kids with special needs. Prices range from about $8 for accessories like card holders up to $116 for bundled game sets. Popular titles include Dreaming Dragon for spatial reasoning, Kilter for physics concepts, and Bee Alert for memory training. They launch new games every couple of months, so there’s always something fresh to talk about. If you can create content around play-based learning, you’ve got a natural angle that doesn’t feel spammy.
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
Let’s run the numbers. With a 10% commission structure, if you sell $1,000 worth of games in a month, you’d take home $100. That’s not life-changing, but it’s also not nothing — especially if you already create content in this niche. The real upside is that this is purely passive. Write one solid blog post or make one YouTube video reviewing a game, and that link can keep earning for months. The key is to treat it like an affiliate income stream, not a primary hustle. Stack it alongside other income sources and it adds up. The old consultant model had mentors and online training; the new affiliate model keeps things simple — you’re on your own, but you also don’t have anyone breathing down your neck.
Who Should Skip This
If you don’t already have an audience interested in kids, education, or family content, you’ll struggle. Cold promoting an affiliate link with no traffic or trust built up rarely works. Likewise, if you need significant income fast, 10% commission on a $30 game means you’d need serious volume to make real money. This is a side-side hustle — a bolt-on to content you’re already creating, not a standalone business. And since you’re an affiliate, not a consultant, you won’t get the training or team support that the old model provided.
Bottom Line: Worth a Shot?
SimplyFun’s move to a zero-cost affiliate program makes it a no-brainer if you’re already creating content around parenting, education, or play-based learning. Sign up is free, there’s no downside, and any sales you generate are pure upside. Just don’t expect it to replace a paycheck. Treat it as one piece of your freelance income puzzle — and if you’ve got an audience that trusts you, those 10% commissions can become a nice recurring trickle.
