Friend or Foe Garden Game: Pests and Pollinators

This is an original game I invented and used at school gardens in California and Texas - HUGE HIT! It's fun to challenge students' knowledge and INTUITION about creatures that might be found in nature and around the garden. All photos are original!

Students learn by playing the game. Find out which insects are beneficial and why. Instead of instantly swatting at all insects, students will respect the role they play, e.g., predator, member of the food web, pollinator, etc.

To play, two groups compete to select friends and foes. Game cards with pictures of the creatures are provided to each group. A timer is set and the students race to place the game cards in the correct bag.

When time is up, check the guesses and share fun information. The Key provides you surprising facts about each creature.

It's simple with so little prep! All you do is write "Friend" and "Foe" on two sets of paper bags and print out two copies of the game cards.

You also get a black and white Friend or Foe printable Word Search on the last page of the download. Students can do the word search in class as you describe the creatures, then take it home as a reference.

This game works great as a reward for students, a fun activity when the weather isn't cooperating, and an exciting introduction or finale to any of the topics related to gardening, pollination and the food web.

You don't need a school garden to enjoy FRIEND OR FOE!

Featured creatures: bees, birds, butterflies, lacewings, lady beetle larvae, praying mantis, red wiggler worms, spiders, wheel bug, aphids, armyworms, cabbage looper, deer, grasshopper, hornworms, leaf-footed bug, snails, squirrels an stink bugs.