Environmental Education Group Games & Activities
Provided by: The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)|Published on: May 20, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Type: Activity - Classroom
Subjects: Science, Social Studies
Authors: The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This wonderful resource contains instructions for seven games that teach students about the environment, ecosystems, and sustainability through play.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Many of the games are suitable for students in any grade level.
- Many of the games can be played with very large groups.
Prerequisites
- Teachers may want to establish norms for discourse and play before beginning the games.
- Teachers should check the materials needed beforehand.
- Teachers should play one round while explaining the directions and then another round once everyone knows the game's rules. Repeated rounds of the game will help English language learners and students who benefit from repeated directions.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Bat and Moth, Migration Hopscotch, and Owls, Mice, Shrubs would be great games to use for review after an elementary science lesson on biology topics. Teachers could deliver the lesson, have the students play the game, and then ask the students to discuss how the game relates to the lesson.
- Social studies classes or advisory groups could use the games Common Good, Social Hierarchy, and Generations to start conversations about climate justice, the environment, or structural inequalities.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on energy transfer in ecosystems, this video on interdependent relationships in ecosystems, and this video on biodiversity and humans.
The games in this resource are recommended for students to play to get involved in environmental activism.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
