Play is essential to how children of all ages learn about themselves and make sense of other people and the world around them. Yet modern education can feel like a never-ending arms race, stressful to teachers, parents, and children alike.
With this in mind, we launched Textbook Play to help educators integrate the use of board games into holistic pedagogies that support learning-through-play. Our Play Packs include:
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5 copies of a board game (Alphabeasts Attack! or Reef Rescue)
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Broad recommendations on how to use them
Textbook Play is open to all primary and secondary school teachers in MOE. It is ideal for English language, English literature, Science, and related CCAs. Find out more about each Play Pack below.
This is our contribution to the next generation of Singaporean students. There is no cost to register your school for a Play Pack. There is also no cost for the games in either Play Pack. However, there is a nominal shipping fee for delivery using SingPost.
Why use board games as learning tools?
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Create a learning environment that is reinforced by play and fun
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Nurture offline, face-to-face, interaction
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Offer opportunities to think, play, and learn outside the box
- Give students a sandbox with a short feedback loop to play, win/lose, debrief, and try again
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Foster strategic thinking, forward planning, resource management, and teamwork
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Inculcate the ability to read, comprehend, explain, and clarify rule sets
PLAY PACK 1 - RESCUE MARINE LIFE
For Science and Science-related CCAs in Primary Schools. Includes 5 copies of Reef Rescue (valued at $100).
Reef Rescue is a competitive board game that involves memory, strategic decision-making, and risk-management. Players operate submarines to locate and rescue marine creatures while avoiding plastic pollution in the ocean.
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Easy to learn, challenging to master
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Quick gameplay with plenty of real-life lessons
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Marine creatures meticulously researched and accurately depicted
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Artwork by Indonesian artist, Sandy Lee, who illustrates for marine-themed articles in National Geographic
PLAY PACK 2 - WIELD WORDS, PROTECT EARTH
For English language, English literature, and related CCAs in Primary and Secondary Schools. Includes 5 copies of Alphabeasts Attack! (valued at $110)
Alphabeasts Attack! is a co-operative word game that fosters a wide vocabulary and quick thinking. Players defeat marauding Alphabeasts by forming words that contain them.
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Players from a wide range of literacy levels can play together as a team without being disadvantaged
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Players learn as they play and watch others play
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Players and onlookers experience the joy of mentally forming words and expanding their vocabulary
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Language acquisition occurs naturally and playfully
ORIGAME LEAGUE
Open to all participating schools, the Origame League is a national schools tournament organised by Origame that will be held for the first time in 2026 during the Asian Board Games Festival in Singapore during the end-of-year school holidays in November/December (date TBA).
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Every school may send 2 individuals/teams per relevant category to compete
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Details and tournament rules will be announced in June 2026
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Winning teams will be crowned champions of the Origame League and be awarded board game hampers worth SGD $300
Why choose Origame?
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Board games are not just for fun and games. Play and sharpen your mind!
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Origame has an extensive catalogue of original games designed in Singapore
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We can offer many other titles that have direct educational value, such as Rainforest City
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We also run workshops and team-building events using board games
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We bring board games to your classroom!