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
- [Elementary School] Recommended Ideas for Morality Games: Learn Through Play
- Guaranteed to boost team power! A collection of fun training game ideas
- Recommended card game. Easy! Fun! Adults get hooked too!
Games themed on the SDGs: A roundup of board and card games (1–10)
Sustainable World BOARDGAME
“Sustainable World BOARDGAME” is a card game themed around the SDGs that is loved by people all over the world.
Each player aims to achieve set goals by making effective use of the “money” and “time” they are given.
While enjoying the game, players can experience firsthand how difficult it is to achieve the SDGs and how much effort from many people is required.
Incidentally, versions such as the “Kanagawa Prefecture Edition” and a “Kids’ Edition” are also available.
Get The Point
“Get The Point” features unique gameplay.
You collect resource cards to craft items, and you earn points based on the difficulty of the item.
Naturally, the core of the game is competing to seize resource cards.
However, in the second playthrough, the rules are tweaked so that players start sharing resource cards instead.
The key is what you take away from experiencing these two contrasting playstyles.
Be sure to play twice and compare how your feelings and relationships change between the two runs.
SDGs Shopping Game
How much do you usually keep the SDGs in mind when you shop? With that in mind, I’d like to introduce the “SDGs Shopping Game.” The content is simple: first, you think of four menu items and go shopping for the necessary ingredients.
Next, you present why you bought each ingredient.
What happens then is that you realize some foods end up left over even though they were bought for a single menu.
With this, it seems like what you learn can be put to use in everyday life right away.
2030SDGs
SDGs have become increasingly recognized in a variety of settings.
While many people know what they are, fewer may understand how they came to be.
That’s why I recommend a card game called “2030 SDGs.” In this game, each player is given a mission, and by completing it, they can relive the history of how the SDGs were established.
It accommodates anywhere from 5 players to over 100, making it perfect for recreational activities and more.
2050 Carbon Neutral
Do you know what carbon neutrality is? Carbon neutrality refers to efforts to balance the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with the amount absorbed by forests and other sinks.
Many companies in Japan are working on this.
However, because the concept feels so large in scale, many people find it hard to grasp.
That’s why we recommend trying “2050 Carbon Neutral.” It’s a card game designed to let you experience initiatives related to carbon neutrality.
Regional Revitalization through the SDGs
“SDGs de Regional Revitalization” is also recommended as an icebreaker.
It’s a card game where you learn about the connection between the SDGs and regional revitalization.
First, players join teams that represent different regions.
Each team is given challenges aimed at revitalizing their region, and the goal is to clear them one by one.
However, if one person keeps advancing through their challenges alone, others won’t be able to clear theirs, and the region will ultimately decline.
That’s why mutual support among players is essential.
SDGs Sugoroku
We don’t often get the chance to really think about the SDGs, do we? That’s why I recommend “Learn While You Play: SDGs Sugoroku.” This sugoroku board game features two main types of spaces: one where you answer quiz questions about the SDGs, and another where you think about the SDGs and present solutions.
With this, you can take a deep dive into the SDGs even while playing.
By the way, a related product called “SDGs Karuta” has also been released.