468 Preventing and Reducing Harm from Toxics
Snakbecnsbaxnndcbladders game
Snakes and ladders is a popular board game used in health
education. This version can be played to show the ways that
toxics harm us, and how to prevent and reduce harm. You
can make your own game board by copying the game
board below onto large paper, cardboard, or wood.
Materials: Dice, and seeds, stones, or shells as game
markers, and a game board
Rules: This game can be played by 2 to 4 people, or by teams. Each player uses one
marker (a seed, stone, or shell) to show what place he or she has on the board.
The first player throws the dice and moves his or her marker according to the
number shown, beginning from square 1, marked START.
If a player rolls a 6, the player move 6 spaces
and then rolls the dice for a second turn.
Otherwise, the dice moves to the next player.
If a marker lands on the head of a snake, the
player reads the message on the square out
loud, then moves the marker to the snake tail,
and reads the message on that square. The
player’s next turn starts from there.
If a marker lands at the bottom of a ladder,
the player reads the message on the square
out loud, then moves the marker to the
top of the ladder, and reads the message
on that square. The player’s next turn starts
from there.
The first player to reach the last square wins.
A player must throw the exact number
needed to land on the final square.
This game works best when you adapt the messages on the “snake squares”
so they refer to health problems and toxics in your community. Also adapt the
messages on the “ladders squares” to possible actions to reduce exposure and
other solutions relevant to your community.
Encourage the players to discuss the problems (snakes) and solutions (ladders)
they land on during the game. When the game is over, ask if there are other
problems with toxics that were not mentioned, and what actions people can take
to protect their health.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012