Wingaru Education, a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and operated leader in culturally responsive education, has launched a new First Nations Games Range, inviting Australians to learn about Aboriginal culture and heritage through engaging, family-friendly play.
With games designed to introduce both children and adults to First Nations stories, symbols, and histories, the collection brings Aboriginal perspectives into homes and classrooms across the country and includes eight uniquely crafted games that introduce players to Aboriginal symbols, traditions, and stories, offering a respectful and accessible way to learn.
Founded by First Nations leader Lesley Woodhouse, a Dharug woman from the Boorooberongal clan, the Wingaru Education First Nations Games Range was created in collaboration with Aboriginal Elders and artists, including the celebrated Dunghutti artist Aunty Cynthia O’Brien-Younie.
“Launching these games has been incredibly meaningful for myself and the team at Wingaru Education, and we’re thrilled to roll out eight games that aim to continue to spark the much-needed education and a deeper understanding of First Nations culture. We’ve worked hard to ensure these games offer families and classrooms a hands-on way to connect with Aboriginal stories, symbols, and traditions, and collaborating with talented Indigenous artists like Aunty Cynthia means each game holds a unique cultural significance for First Nations people,” says Woodhouse.
“We’re proud to create resources that reflect Aboriginal culture authentically and beautifully.”
She says that, despite centuries of rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, very little of it is represented in mainstream education. Today, only 0.7 per cent of teachers in Australia are Aboriginal, and the number of Aboriginal students pursuing teaching degrees has more than halved since 1998. Research also shows that over 25 per cent of Australian educators feel they need additional training to effectively teach Aboriginal perspectives in the classroom*.
Wingaru Education’s First Nations Games Range aims to help bridge this gap by providing interactive tools that bring cultural learning to life for all Australians.
The First Nations Games Range collection features:
- First Nations Bingo $36.95: Featuring First Nation symbols and items, this bingo set helps kids learn about First Nations people, culture and histories while developing social skills, such as taking turns and communicating with other players.
- First Nations Memory $32.95: Test your memory and find all 24 Matching pairs of First Nations symbols and objects. These beautifully illustrated cards help players learn about First Nations people, culture and histories, as well as support the development of social skills.
- Eels and Traps $39.95: Roll the dice and travel the waterways! The eels will carry you up, but the traps will send you down….first to 100 wins! Can you make it to the top without getting trapped? Explore how Aboriginal people share Country with eels, the innovation of eel traps and the place the migration of these amazing creatures has in First Nations Dreaming with this ‘snakes and ladders’ style game.
- Hunt and Gather $39.95: Based on Memory, Hunt and Gather both entertains and educates players while giving them a better understanding of traditional First Nations culture. Beautifully illustrated, this game encourages discussion while developing social skills – like taking turns and communicating with other players. Artwork by Dunghutti artist Aunty Cynthia O’Brien-Younie
- Whose Track is That? $28.95: Explore Aboriginal symbols with this clever symbol-matching game. Featuring 10 tracks and the feet that made them, this pack of 20 cards encourages recognition of Aboriginal symbols and their significance in First Nation culture. Artwork by Dunghutti artist Aunty Cynthia O’Brien-Younie.
- Symbol Dominoes $44.95: Explore the traditional use of Aboriginal symbols with this 28-set of dominoes featuring Aboriginal symbols. These large format dominoes encourage students to become familiar with the meaning of these important communication tools—artwork by Dunghutti artist Aunty Cynthia Younie.
- Father Emu Board Game $44.95: Full of First Nations symbolism and Aboriginal artwork, Father Emu is a fantastic collaborative game for 2-4 players. It teaches kids the value of helping each other, counting aloud, and working together to help Father Emu save his eggs.
- Midden Card Game $31.95: Showcasing elements from traditional Aboriginal culture, Midden is a fast-paced, action-packed card game that encourages understanding of Aboriginal principles related to caring for Country, bush tucker and traditional tools. Be the first to discard all your cards into the midden to win! Fun for all ages.
Sharing Aboriginal perspectives with all Australians
“It’s no secret that Aboriginal perspectives remain underrepresented in schools and workplaces,” Woodhouse says.
“Our mission is to help bridge that gap by creating resources that empower both teachers and families to confidently engage with Aboriginal culture. Education is a crucial pathway to reconciliation, and these games are one more way to bring meaningful learning into everyday life.”
Wingaru Education, meaning “to think” in Dharug, was founded with a vision to change the way Australia learns and speaks about Aboriginal culture. Based on Gadigal Country, Wingaru Education is a team of educators, designers, and developers working to create resources that support Aboriginal perspectives in learning environments. Wingaru’s educational programs help schools, teachers, and organisations across Australia enhance cultural competency, and their innovative games collection extends this mission into homes nationwide.
“Our goal at Wingaru Education is to make Aboriginal education accessible, relatable, and enjoyable,” Woodhouse says.
“These games bring culture to life, inviting Australians of all ages to think about Aboriginal cultures in ways that are memorable and engaging. It’s education through play, and we believe it’s a powerful tool to foster understanding and appreciation of First Nations culture.”
