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The games below are meant to help kids make constructive and respectful choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on consideration of ethical standards, safety concerns, social norms, the realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and the well-being of self and others. Games that support responsible decision making help players practice treating each other with respect and ensuring a safe environment for all.
The ability to plan, strategize and implement complex tasks is a great way to get kids working on their problem solving skills. These games include generating alternative solutions, anticipating consequences, overcoming roadblocks with ease and knowing when to ask for help. Game that support problem solving help players practice how to develop a plan, think strategically, resolve conflicts, or reflect on the result of their actions.
Modify: Give each group a limited budget of “materials” or time to encourage planning and prioritizing. Let students justify their design decisions.
Reflect: “What strategies did your group use to make decisions under pressure? How did you balance creativity and structure?”
Modify: Introduce “choice rounds” where captains must pick new rules mid-game (e.g., reverse bases, smaller field). Discuss fairness and adaptability.
Reflect: “How did you respond to unexpected changes? What influenced your decisions in the moment?”
Modify: Have students form strategy teams — plan before each round and reflect after. Discuss how strategy vs. luck plays a role in outcomes.
Reflect: “What role did planning and teamwork play in your success? How does this relate to decision-making in real life?”
Modify: Frame it as a leadership scenario — assign roles (leader, observer, timekeeper). Have teams debrief on communication, problem-solving, and ethical choices.
Reflect: “How did leadership and clear communication impact your decisions? What happens when safety and speed compete as priorities?”
Modify: Instead of random corners, label each corner as a value or choice (e.g., Honesty, Kindness, Responsibility, Curiosity). Ask scenario-based questions and have students move to the corner that best represents their decision.
Reflect: “What factors influence your decisions most? How can values guide your choices when situations get complicated?”
Modify: Add problem-solving constraints (e.g., “You can’t speak for the first minute” or “Each person can only move once before passing turn”).
Reflect: “What helped your group make collective decisions efficiently? How did listening or patience affect the outcome?”
Modify: Use prompts that encourage ethical reflection (e.g., “Find someone who’s made a tough choice and learned from it”).
Reflect: “How do others’ decision-making stories help you reflect on your own?”
Modify: Use it as a case study for trust and integrity—how being authentic supports responsible choices.
Reflect: “How does self-awareness influence the decisions we make?”
Modify: Add blindfolds or role cards (e.g., limited information, differing goals) to emphasize ethical decision-making and communication.
Reflect: “What did you notice about how you made decisions with limited information?”
Modify: Play in teams with alternating decision-makers each round. Discuss how collaboration impacts group choices and fairness.
Reflect: “What makes decision-making harder when you’re part of a team? How can groups make fair decisions when opinions differ?”
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