The Core Values Game®

Many young people are insecure and searching for themselves. On their way to adulthood, it is essential for them to have different experiences so that they can find answers to the questions "Who am I, what can I do and what do I want?". Most young people do not find it easy to talk about this with adults (parents, teachers and counselors). Connection at home and school is an important condition for learning and sharing with each other what moves you and is important in life.

As a parent of a bunch of teenagers, I noticed that young people could be much better guided in this at school and at home. That is why I developed the Core Values Game®. The Core Values Game® creates connection and fun and leads to in-depth conversations. It helps young people develop, especially in these difficult times with political tensions, war and climate problems.

It brings together young and old, families and friends to share experiences, ideas, values and insights.

The game can be played from ages 12 and up, in small groups starting from 3 players, to larger groups of 20 players with 1 game.

For Whom? 

• Families, relatives and friends
• Secondary schools, e.g. in mentor lessons.
• Further education (university), e.g. during introduction programs.
• Teams at work.

The game contains:

• 60 Core Value Cards
• 7 Game Variants
• 9 Tip cards

Below are a few links for more in-depth information and fun:

• Explanation of Core Values: all core values in the game explained in alphabetical order.
• Creative Thinking techniques: 15-part explanation of Creative Thinking and various Creative Thinking techniques.
• All professions from A to Z: with detailed description, important competences, corresponding training and courses, vacancies, salaries and future prospects.

"Playing Core Values Game" workshop with teachers (in training)

For teachers in schools or teacher training programs who want to get to know the full potential of the game for themselves before they start working with their pupils or students, I organize a workshop "Playing Core Values Game" for teachers (in training). After playing several game variations, we discuss

• How to use the game at school (e.g. in citizenship lessons, mentoring lessons, a project week or during LOB)
• What you can use the different game variants for
• How to guide the game as a teacher and what is important in the guidance.

I come for a play session on location. A workshop "Playing Core Values Game" with teachers takes two-and-a-half hours with a group size of minimum 4 and maximum 12 teachers and costs €715, excluding VAT, games and travel expenses. Take here contact me for an inquiry.

Playing core values game with students/students

If you would like me to Core Values Game come and play with your pupils or students once, that is also possible. I prepare the play session together with the teacher of the class in question. This teacher actively participates as a supervisor of the game. Cost: € 1,690 per class with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30 pupils or students. This amount excludes VAT, games and travel expenses. Take here contact me for an application.

How did the Core Values Game® come about?

The game was created during the first lockdown in March 2020. Young people could no longer go to school and missed their social contacts tremendously. Everyone was working mostly online all day. The world became a lot smaller and more boring by working at home, there was much less to tell about experiences and family members suddenly lived under the same roof all day. Tensions arose and boredom set in. The need to be away from the screen became ever greater, but what are you going to talk about at the table? That's how the idea of creating the Core Values Game® came about.

I have over 30 years of experience as a trainer and coach in social communication skills, problem solving skills and creative thinking techniques in various organizations, including education. I have also added my knowledge and expertise as a graduate Pedagogue, Creative Therapist (a form of psychotherapy) and my experience as a mother of two growing daughters.

Active board game players have been involved in the development of the Core Values Game®, providing feedback on the game and its rules, ultimately resulting in seven real game variants. It is a Serious Game that leads to valuable conversations, but also a game with which you can win and lose and have a lot of fun playing together. The different game variants also stimulate creative thinking skills.

The game has been extensively tested by various target groups in different settings: young people, families, adult groups of friends and experienced game players. A special thanks goes to a Dutch Champion board game player, who used his expertise in the development process of the game. Based on all the experiences of playing the game and all the advice, the game has been continuously improved until the current version.