.svg)
The start of a school year always brings fresh energy, new goals, and a shared hope that this year will feel different for our students.
One simple shift we can make is creating more space for play.
Play is how many of the skills we value most are built. Through playful moments, students learn to try again, adapt, and work with others without the pressure of getting everything right the first time.
As classrooms settle into rhythm, play offers a powerful reset. It helps students reconnect with each other, rebuild confidence, and ease into learning with curiosity instead of stress.
This week, we're exploring how play can be a meaningful focus for the year ahead. A practical, intentional way to strengthen life skills while creating classrooms that feel connected, safe, and ready for growth.
The biggest change starts with making learning feel a little more human. Let's get started!
Free Game
Starting the year with fresh energy is exciting, but getting students talking, moving, and feeling comfortable together can be a challenge.
That's why we're giving you our Icebreaker Bingo Board Game completely FREE.
How to play: Students roll the dice, complete challenges, and mark their bingo cards. Some squares prompt them to roam the room, finding peers who share something in common, naturally sparking conversation and collaboration.
The best part? Students can compete to get bingo, track as many icons as possible, and even create their own questions for the board. It's layered, engaging, and gives them ownership, while building communication, social skills, and a sense of belonging.
We want you to start playing and experiencing the difference today.
Download your FREE Icebreaker Bingo Board Game here! Set it up and watch your classroom come alive with connection and fun.
Daily Mission Cards
Sometimes, the smallest moments of play can spark the biggest learning. Balloon Tapper is a simple activity, packed with opportunities to build skills that go far beyond the classroom.
The challenge is simple: let students keep the balloon in the air as long as they can by passing it among themselves. It’s a lesson in collaboration as students learn to anticipate their turns and support each other.
Want to add a brainy twist? Turn it into an alphabet game! Each time a student receives the balloon, they name an animal or place starting with A, B, C, and so on. Suddenly, what feels like just movement is training memory and language in real time.
This mission is perfect for short bursts of fun that re-energise your classroom.
Try Balloon Tapper today! All you need is a balloon and a little space to soar with joy. More cards like this HERE.
The Compliment Game
What if a few minutes of your day could lift everyone's mood and strengthen relationships? No prizes, no competition, just genuine connection? That's the idea behind this week's Game of the Week: The Compliment Game.
It's simple, but powerful. Each person draws a name from a bowl and responds to a prompt with a personalised compliment. Roll a dice, pick a question, or go freeform. The goal is to notice and affirm one another, and help everyone feel seen.
The beauty lies in its flexibility to adapt prompts to suit your group and in the ripple effect that fosters stronger connections.
If you want more games like this embedded in your classroom's learning, explore The School of Play website, where play-based experiences nurture empathy, teamwork, and emotional literacy throughout the school year.
Mastering Game Creation
There’s a reason games capture attention so effortlessly: they combine challenge, creativity, and connection in ways that keep people coming back.
In this course, we will reveal the secrets behind designing games that stick. You’ll explore what makes games like Fortnite so addictive, the balance between challenge and reward, and how to harness these elements to build your own meaningful, playful experiences.
Whether you’re guiding students in a classroom, leading a workshop, or coaching a team, this course gives you the tools to craft games that are fun and purposeful.
Ready to become a master game creator? Join our course on Jugar Life and start turning play into powerful learning!
Tallangatta Year 12 Camp 2026
Returning for a second year in Tallangatta Secondary College, we spent time with an incredible cohort, focusing on connection, character, and teamwork over scores.
With nearly every student present, the energy was amazing. Vulnerability and fun were front and centre. Together, we explored what it means to show up for each other, embrace challenges, and build genuine relationships.
Moments like this remind us why play and shared experiences matter: they create trust, strengthen bonds, and leave a lasting impact.
A huge thank you to Tallangatta Secondary College for letting us be part of this journey. We can’t wait for next year!
Join us on this global journey of joy and connection! If you want to bring The School of Play to your community, fill out the form here ➡
.avif)
