Games with an SDGs theme: A roundup of board and card games
You often see SDGs—short for the Sustainable Development Goals—in various contexts, and to build a better future, it’s essential to raise awareness among more people and encourage them to incorporate the goals into their daily lives.
That’s why there are so many games themed around the SDGs these days.
In addition to numerous board and card games suitable for use at home or in schools, there are also SDG-focused games offered in corporate training programs.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of SDG-themed games that people of all ages can try.
These games are perfect for sparking conversations and reflections about the SDGs, so be sure to give them a try.
- [For Elementary School Students] Learn about the SDGs by Answering Quizzes!
- [Learn with a Quiz] Quiz Questions about the SDGs
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- [Childcare] Ideas for learning about the SDGs through play
- [Easy] A roundup of recommended card games that kids can enjoy too
- Types of card games and how to play them
- Fostering Cooperation: Recommended Games to Enjoy in the Boy Scouts
- Have Fun with Your Kids! A Roundup of Board Games Recommended for Parents and Children
- [For Elementary School Students] A Collection of Game Ideas to Use in Social Studies Classes
- Recommended card game. Easy! Fun! Adults get hooked too!
- [Elementary School] Recommended Ideas for Morality Games: Learn Through Play
- Guaranteed to boost team power! A collection of fun training game ideas
Games themed on the SDGs: A roundup of board and card games (11–20)
Go Goals
Actually, there’s even a sugoroku game themed around the SDGs.
It’s called “Go Goals.” Its basic structure is the same as a typical sugoroku game.
However, if you land on a square labeled with one of the 17 SDG goals, you have to answer a quiz question about that goal.
With simple rules like this, players of a wide range of ages can enjoy learning together.
By the way, the quiz questions are designed to spark interest in the SDGs.
CHANGE FOR THE BLUE
If you want to study the issue of marine litter in depth, “CHANGE FOR THE BLUE” is recommended.
It’s a card game–style teaching material with several phases.
For example, there’s a phase where participants discuss solutions to the marine litter problem, and a phase where they actually go to the seaside and pick up trash.
It doesn’t end with just playing the game, so you can gain opportunities to learn more deeply.
By the way, the recommended number of players is around 30.
THE SDGs Action Card Game X
In achieving the SDGs, one crucial concept is trade-offs.
A trade-off refers to a relationship in which satisfying one side prevents the other from being satisfied.
For example, imagine a situation where two people both want the only card available.
“THE SDGs Action Card Game X” challenges players to propose solutions to such problems.
I hope you will try it with a focus on how to reach outcomes that everyone can accept.
Sustainable chain
It’s not a game, but there’s a business training program I really want to introduce: “Sustainable Chain.” In this program, participants take on roles such as raw material producers or retailers and engage in commercial transactions while working to achieve the SDGs.
A major advantage is that it doesn’t just cover the SDGs—you can also learn about marketing and how companies operate.
If you’re interested, please check the details with the company that provides the service.
KOIKEYA SDGs Theater: Sasu and Tena Sugoroku Set
Koikeya distributes an anime themed around the SDGs titled “Koikeya SDGs Theater: Sus & Tena.” That world is adapted into a board game in the “Koikeya SDGs Theater: Sus & Tena Sugoroku Set.” It has two main features.
First, each square contains a message related to the SDGs.
Second, there are event squares where you battle monsters themed around SDGs issues.
As a result, it doesn’t feel like studying, and even young children can enjoy engaging with it.
In conclusion
We introduced a wide range of options, from board and card games related to the SDGs to programs that are useful for employee training. All of them help deepen understanding of the SDGs, and recently there are options tailored for everyone from children to adults. Why not use the games introduced in this article as an opportunity to think about our future and give them a try?