Xeko board game offers eco-friendly fun for kids

If you’re looking for a neat children’s gift, check out the Xeko board game from the Matter Group. Based on “the myth of Xeko (a secret ecological knowledge order) and real-world conservation hotspots”, the folks at the Matter Group have created a two person trading card game that combines math and strategy skills with environmental lessons. The result is what they call “‘organic entertainment’ - entertainment that’s of the highest quality, good for people, and good for the planet.”

The object of the game is to create the strongest Xeko-system by playing Species and Boost cards to gain Eco-points. Species cards depict an animal or plant native to the Hotspot, while Boost cards represent a natural phenomena such as volcanoes, etc. Hotspots are actual areas defined by Conservation International (CI) as being very rich in bio-diversity and at the same time very threatened. There are 34 Hotspots in the world and the Matter Group has released Xeko game versions for two, Costa Rica and Madagascar. Each purchase of Xeko results in a donation to CI.

Because of the math and strategy skills required, the Matter Group recommends the game for ages 8 & up. The artwork on the cards is really spectacular and the game cleverly weaves in environmental learning in a way that is not preachy and sure to get little minds excited for more.