Settlers on the Run: Gather, Trade and Build

A long-duration strategy game where teams carry colored resources from a central bank one at a time and trade to complete buildings. It builds intermittent endurance and cooperative decision-making.

How to play

1. Explain the resources: red (brick), blue (water), green (wood) and yellow (wheat). Each building card needs a mix, for example 2 red and 1 green for a house (4 min).
2. Gathering round: the bank is in the middle, about 25 m from each base. One resource per trip and the team decides what to ask for (8 min).
3. Market: gathering stops and teams trade one-for-one in the center, walking (4 min).
4. Second gathering round with two new cards worth more if finished before time runs out (10 min).
5. Each team counts its buildings and explains its best decision (4 min).

Rules

• One resource per trip, carried in your hand.
• At the bank you take the first one you touch: no digging.
• Trades are free and must be honored: no cheating.
• Everyone on the team makes trips; keep track with a mark by the hoop.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: the bank is on smooth ground and they may carry two resources per trip in a bag.
• Visual impairment: resources with different textures (ball, cone, beanbag) and runs with a guide.
• Students who don't join the trading: take the treasurer role and propose the team's trades.

Learning goals

• Sustain long intermittent effort.
• Plan and decide as a team while tired.
• Negotiate respectfully and keep agreements.

Equipment for a class of 25

• colored flat cones: 100
• hula hoops: 5
• building cards: 12
• pinnies: 25

Teacher tip

No colored flat cones? Clothespins, bottle caps or beanbags work. The market doubles as active recovery: keep it to 4 minutes or less.

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