At Meepleopolis, we make learning engaging and impactful through expertly designed game-based programs and resources. Whether you’re looking to enhance your curriculum with gamified learning, purchase affordable games and accessories or access a library of over 500 unique games, we offer flexible, affordable solutions tailored to your needs.
Our Programs
Bring your curriculum to life with expert-designed programs that are curriculum-aligned, developed to meet New Zealand education standards. These programs are fully customisable for ages 5+ and can be tailored to suit any subject or learning objective. They can be hosted either at Meepleopolis or your school, offering flexibility to fit your needs. Designed to foster important skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking, these programs aim to enhance student learning. All programs are professionally hosted, with experienced facilitators providing guidance and support throughout.
With a focus on educational quality, flexibility, and affordability, we help schools create engaging, community-building experiences. Let us show you how the power of play can inspire and connect.
Click on the programs below to learn more.
Act & Adventure (ages 10-13)
Intended Audience: Ages 10-13
Duration: 12-16hrs
Overview: Step into a world of imaginative storytelling and interactive drama with Act & Adventure, a dynamic program where children aged 10-13 bring stories to life through role-playing, character-building, and collaborative world creation. Using a mix of structured role-play, improvisation, and live-action storytelling, kids will develop essential skills in communication, creativity, and teamwork, all while having an unforgettable adventure!
Through engaging activities inspired by tabletop role-playing games and live-action role-play (LARP), students will create unique characters, develop collaborative storytelling skills, explore world-building and dramatic techniques and build confidence in performance and self-expression.
Bon Appetit: Food Safety (ages 8+)
Intended Audience: Ages 8+
Duration: 1-2hrs
Overview: Food safety is an essential life skill, and Bon Appétit: Food Safety makes learning it fun and interactive! Designed to engage learners of all ages, this program uses game-based learning to teach essential food safety practices in a hands-on, memorable way.
Through engaging activities and interactive games, participants will explore key food safety topics such as:
✔️ Safe food handling and hygiene
✔️ Cross-contamination prevention
✔️ Understanding food-borne illnesses
✔️ Proper food storage and preparation
At the heart of the program is Bon Appétit, an educational card game where players take on the roles of master chefs and food safety guardians. Players must complete their dishes while identifying and avoiding unsafe food-handling practices.
Customised Learning Programs (ages 5+)
Intended Audience: ages 5+
Duration: Tailored to learning objectives and the needs of the student and organisation
Overview: Our customised game-based learning programs are developed to align with your specific curriculum goals, providing engaging and interactive educational experiences. Designed with input from professional teachers and education lecturers from Auckland University, these programs meet New Zealand education standards while fostering a love for learning through play.
Whether it’s exploring mathematics through logic-based games, developing communication skills with collaborative challenges, or promoting environmental awareness through themed activities, we design programs to support your objectives. Programs can be delivered at your location or ours, with flexibility in length, subject focus, and delivery format.
By combining proven educational strategies with gamified learning, we ensure participants are engaged, motivated, and achieving measurable outcomes. Programs are evaluated in partnership with experts from The Learning Lounge and local educational institutions, ensuring quality and impact.
Game Design Academy (ages 10-15)
Intended Audience: ages 10-15
Duration: 12-16hrs
Overview: In this program using the elemental tetrad students will explore game design looking at narrative (theme), materials, gameplay and aesthetics. Students will use this framework to develop a deep understanding of how different elements come together to form a cohesive game experience. Through hands-on activities, reflection, and iterative design, students foster a passion for game design and develop key skills in creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Students are given a chance to design and create their own unique game. They will engage in designing game rules, creating visual components, and presenting their prototypes to demonstrate understanding of game mechanics and thematic integration. Students will learn effective play-testing strategies and how to receive and integrate feedback in to their game designs.
At the conclusion of the program students keep their games and are encouraged to continue to iterate the design and share their games with a wider audience.
Game Design Challenge (ages 11-15)
Intended Audience: Ages 11-15
Duration: 2-3hrs
Overview: A dynamic two-hour Game Jam session designed to introduce children aged 11–15 to the fundamentals of game design. This fast-paced, hands-on workshop blends crafting, creativity, and critical thinking as participants dive into the process of developing their own playable games from concept to prototype.
Guided by experienced facilitators, students will explore core elements of game mechanics, theme development, and player interaction while working individually or in small teams. The session emphasizes rapid iteration, imaginative problem-solving, and collaborative creation, giving participants a taste of real-world game development in an engaging and supportive environment. Whether they’re budding designers or curious creators, kids will leave inspired and equipped with the tools to keep inventing long after the session ends.
Game Design Foundations (ages 6-9)
Intended Audience: ages 6-9
Duration: 4 to 10 1hr classes
Overview: Classes are designed to help young children develop interpersonal skills and an understanding of common game mechanics and design elements through playing a range of traditional and contemporary board games. Students use this developing understanding of game design to remix modified versions of games that reflect either their identity and interests or the identity and interests of a stakeholder they identify. The experience of playing games, reflecting on the experience and making changes to enhance the experience is intended to foster a passion for non-digital gaming and develop pro-social skills (helping, caring, cooperating) and cognitive competencies (problem solving, reasoning).
There are 10 classes in the full program each focusing on a different style of game design and mechanic. The overall length of the program can be adjusted by excluding some classes however we recommend a minimum of 4 classes in a program to provide students with a good understanding of a variety of game mechanics and design principles.
Game Makers Lab (ages 6-12)
Intended Audience: Ages 6-12
Duration: 1.5-2hrs
Overview: Meepleopolis presents an inspiring hands-on program designed to ignite creativity and curiosity through the art of game design. Aimed at children aged 6–12, this initiative invites young minds to explore the building blocks of games by crafting unique components, experimenting with playful concepts, and reimagining well-known classics.
Blending guided creativity with open-ended exploration, the program fosters design thinking, storytelling, and collaborative problem-solving. Students will take part in interactive sessions that challenge them to think critically about how games work, what makes them fun, and how they can be improved or reinvented. By encouraging iteration, imagination, and reflective play, this course empowers children to become confident creators and thoughtful players in a world of infinite possibility.
Green Game Academy (ages 6+)
Intended Audience: Ages 6+
Duration: One session - 1.5 - 2hrs
Overview: Meepleoplis in conjunction with The Learning Lounge and The Climate Action Campus is thrilled to introduce a pioneering educational initiative aimed at raising climate change awareness through interactive, game-based learning. Designed by experienced educators, our program engages students with a blend of social and tabletop games that explore the causes, effects, and practical solutions to climate change and environmental conservation.
Through playful, activity-driven sessions, students will not only grasp complex environmental issues but also enhance critical thinking, social skills, and proactive environmental stewardship. Our curriculum uses a variety of educational and recreational games, tailored to different age groups and learning objectives, ensuring a dynamic and effective learning experience. This program promises to transform traditional environmental education by assessing and nurturing students' understanding through innovative and interactive approaches.
Let’s Catch the Lion (ages 6-10)
Intended Audience: Ages 6-10
Duration: 60 minutes per session
Overview: Meepleopolis invites young creators aged 6–10 to dive into the playful world of Let’s Catch the Lion!, a charming and strategic game based on traditional Japanese shogi. In this one-hour session, participants will learn the rules, explore clever tactics, and then reimagine the game through hands-on remixing and creative design.
After playing the original version and reflecting on what makes it fun and unique, students will craft their own personalised variant—changing how pieces move, redesigning themes, and even building their own custom boards. Guided by experienced facilitators, the session encourages thoughtful play, sportsmanship, and imaginative thinking. Whether it’s crafting a jungle adventure or space-themed strategy game, each child will leave with a one-of-a-kind game they’ve designed themselves—ready to share, play, and be proud of.
Playful Minds (ages 5+)
Intended Audience: Ages 5+
Duration: 60-120 minutes per session
Overview: Playful Minds offers a wide variety of engaging game experiences tailored to children aged five and above. Each session is designed to nurture pro-social skills such as cooperation, communication, and empathy while supporting the development of other key skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.
Through carefully curated activities, participants will explore both traditional and modern games that provide a balance of fun and learning. With sessions ranging from one to two hours, this program delivers unique opportunities for children to interact, grow, and enjoy memorable experiences in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your child's social skills or simply give them a chance to explore the joy of gaming, Playful Minds is a fantastic option for kids of all ages.
Games for Schools
Meepleopolis brings the power of play to your school with our extensive game library, flexible rental options, and affordable purchasing solutions. We’re committed to helping educators inspire students and foster engagement through the transformative benefits of games.
What We Offer:
- Extensive Game Library: Access over 500 curated games for all ages, skill levels, and interests, perfect for both learning and recreation.
- Affordable Rates: Rent games from $3.75 per week for up to 4 weeks, with even greater discounts for longer rentals.
- Customised Packages: Tailored rental packages to match your school’s goals and needs.
- Hassle-Free Service: Free delivery, pick-up, and damage replacement included.
- Extra-Curricular Support: Discounts on rentals or purchases to help set up board game or role-playing groups.
- Game Sales for Schools: Purchase discounted games to build your own library. We’ll recommend titles suited to your curriculum and students’ interests.
Our diverse selection and flexible services make it easy to integrate games into your curriculum or extracurricular activities, enhancing teamwork, critical thinking, and fun. Let Meepleopolis help you create a playful, engaging, and inspiring environment for your students!
Our Commitment
Safeguarding Children, Young People, and Vulnerable Adults Meepleopolis is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive environment that fosters community and fun. The safety and well-being of all participants are our highest priorities, and we are committed to protecting them from harm or abuse.
- Safety Checks: All staff working with children undergo thorough screening in compliance with the Children’s Act 2014.
- Staff Training: Comprehensive training and induction programs ensure our team maintains best practices.
- Child-Safe Practices: Meepleopolis adheres to industry standards when working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
- Privacy and Information Sharing: We handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993 and the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.
Additional Information
The following conditions apply to all education programs run at Meepleopolis. For details on programs hosted at other education provider locations, please refer to the respective provider for specific information.
- Location: Unless otherwise stated, all programs take place at Meepleopolis, located at the Climate Action Campus, Christchurch.
- Parental Attendance: Parents are welcome to observe but are asked to refrain from direct participation to allow tamariki to engage independently and for staff to lead effectively.
- Health Notifications: Please inform us of any allergies or medical conditions that may affect a student’s learning or pose risks to the child, course leader, or other participants.
- Payment and Bookings: Payment is typically due on the first day unless otherwise stated. Programs requiring advanced booking will have ticketing links provided in the course details.
- Refund Policy: Refunds are not available once a course begins, and we cannot issue refunds for missed sessions due to illness or other commitments.
- Inquiries: Please call us on (03) 662 9233 or you can email us at info@meepleopolis.com.
