Christmas Island inspired
Coral Reef Card Games
created by ANU Science & Art students
Dr. Coral
In Doctor Coral, you’ll work to build a healthy coral reef ecosystem with a diverse range of coral and herbivore species that are found among the Christmas Island Reef. As you build the reef, you must protect it from threats like pollution, coral bleaching, and other
environmental challenges and complete the 5 goals on your Reef Health Indicator Card, which ensures your reef is healthy and diverse. Complete all 5 reef health indicators before anyone else to win and become the coral doctor!
Number of Players: 2–4 players
Ages: 6+
What You’ll Need:
• One printed and cut Doctor Coral card set
• Rule book which can be accessed online or printed
• One 3-sided die available online
• Plenty of table space for building the reef
This game was created by science and design students Ada Basford, Leanne Adams and Taffany Mills-Hicks working with Dr Jennie Mallela at the Australian National
University
Reef Rush
Reef Rush is a collaborative and competitive strategy card game set on Christmas Island, where players take on different roles to manage the unique ecosystem.
Players work together to build a shared reef using land and ocean cards, while also competing to earn points for their own goals. You must choose between cooperation and competition, as each card you play can benefit either yourself or another player.
But there’s a catch: If the reef becomes unbalanced, everyone loses. Players must maintain a healthy reef while dealing with unpredictable events.
Reef Rush challenges players to think critically about real-world environmental management, showing how individual actions impact whole ecosystems.
Will you help the reef thrive or push it to collapse?
Game materials: print cards (double-sided or single-sided) and rule book (access digitally or print a copy)
Required items:
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Dice – physical or electronic dice roller
In addition to the rule book, access an instructional video on how to play the game here
This game was created by Siena Rowland, Sophie Radajewski and Mashroor Taif- science and design students working with Dr Jennie Mallela at the Australian National University.
Race for the reef
Beneath the waves surrounding Christmas Island, an entire reef ecosystem is waiting to be built. In this interactive strategy card game, players compete to create the healthiest and most balanced marine environment by collecting species, building habitats, and protecting their reef from environmental threats.
Will your reef survive coral bleaching, plastic pollution, disease outbreaks, and overfishing? Or will clever conservation strategies and powerful species combinations help your marine world thrive?
From colourful coral gardens to open ocean predators, every card represents a real part of reef life and the delicate connections that hold it together.
Suitable for: Ages 8+
Number of players: 2-6
Time to play: 20 - 30 minutes
This game has been designed as a printable, classroom-friendly resource. Players can print, cut out, and organise the cards themselves before gameplay begins.
Game Materials:
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Event Cards (Threats and Conservation)
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Reef Health scoring sheet (or use your own piece of blank paper)
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Rule book
This game was created by Annika Mastus and Jules Skinner, science and design students working with Dr Jennie Mallela at the Australian National University.