All Activities
Geography

The Migration Game

Overview

Students simulate migration decisions and discuss push and pull factors.

Learning Objective
Students understand why people migrate and the challenges they face.

Resources needed

  • Open space

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Define two areas: origin and destination.
  2. 2 Give students a 'reason to move' (drought, war, jobs, family).
  3. 3 Students decide whether to migrate or stay.
  4. 4 Those who move face a challenge en route.
  5. 5 Discuss what made them move.
  6. 6 Introduce push and pull factors.
  7. 7 Debrief as a class.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Add border controls to simulate restricted movement.
  • Focus on one type of migration (economic, climate, conflict).
More information

Teach migrate, push factor, pull factor, refugee.

Use a simplified two-option decision (stay or go).

Can students give one push and one pull factor and explain the difference?

Uses only classroom space and discussion. No materials needed.

Students often think people only migrate for money. Discuss climate, conflict, and family as equally important drivers.

Highly relevant to current global issues. Handle with sensitivity.

Activity details
Secondary Medium 20–25 minutes no prep Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Migration Population