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Educational city games for schools
A fun, educational and easy-to-organise school outing
Turn a lesson or school trip into an active outdoor learning experience. With Qugato’s city games, pupils and students explore the city in small teams, solve challenges together and discover their surroundings in a playful way.
The result? A school outing that feels like an adventure, yet delivers real learning outcomes, from cultural heritage and history to social and civic themes.
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What is a city game?
A city game is an interactive route through a city, neighbourhood or outdoor area. Participants complete location-based challenges, using their phones to guide them along the way. Instead of sitting in a classroom, they learn by doing, using the city itself as their learning environment. They apply knowledge in context, collaborate in teams and stay engaged from start to finish.
City game options for your school
Schools use our city games in different ways, depending on their programme and learning goals:
- The easiest: City Detective city games (ready to play)
A fully developed city game that can be played immediately in the city centre. We arrange the city game, you do the rest.
- The most worry-free: City game as part of a school day
Let us plan your school day! We will plan a city game for your school combined with a museum visit, another activity and/or lunch- or break, arranged as a complete programme.
- Tailor to your needs: Custom city game
Create a tailored version of our City Detective city game by adding your own curriculum content, themes, or learning objectives. This option lets you personalise the experience while keeping the core game structure intact.
- The most exclusive: A fully bespoke city game
If you’re looking for something truly unique, we can design a completely bespoke city game from the ground up. This allows you to shape the storyline, challenges, and locations entirely around your school’s learning objectives and curriculum content.
Want to explore what would work best for your school? Get in touch, we’re happy to advise.
How schools use our city games?
From induction days to project weeks, schools use our city games in a variety of ways. Below are the most common ways secondary schools and further or higher education institutions use the game as part of school activities.
Secondary education (upper years, most popular)
In secondary schools, our city games are often used as:
- An activity during induction weeks or end-of-year programmes.
- An arts or cultural studies activity.
- Part of history, social studies or citizenship education.
- A project or culture day.
Pupils work independently in teams, while teachers keep oversight without needing to guide each group closely.
Further and higher education (FE & HE)
Our city games are also used within further and higher education, for example:
- During induction weeks or end-of-year programmes.
- In project-based or practice-led education.
- As an active learning format focused on skills or themes.
Students collaborate, get to know each other, and explore the city together. Teachers simply share the login codes, no on-site supervision is required.
Pricing for schools
School rates start from €5.67 per participant (€34 per team of up to six participants), depending on the chosen format and any extras. Payment by invoice and via the Dutch CJP Cultural Card is possible.
Feel free to contact us to discuss the options, or request a free, no-obligation school quote for a tailored price indication.
Our ready-to-play city game: City Detective
City Detective: solve the case
City Detective is an interactive city game where participants explore the city as detectives. Working in teams, they investigate a crime by collecting clues, solving challenges and uncovering the truth. Along the way, they learn about the city’s history, cultural heritage and urban environment, without it feeling like a traditional lesson.
City Detective is a popular choice for schools looking for an active, meaningful day out in the city. It is widely used in upper secondary education and is also suitable for FE and HE, depending on learning objectives.
Why schools choose City Detective
By integrating physical activity with collaboration and content, City Detective gets groups on their feet. It ensures they remain actively involved while discovering the city from a fresh perspective.
What participants do:
- Play an interactive outdoor detective game in the city.
- Work independently in small teams.
- Apply knowledge in a realistic context.
- Learn interesting facts about the city’s history.
What teachers value:
- A clear, well-structured game that is both educational and enjoyable.
- Easy organisation with minimal preparation.
- No guide required, with remote support available throughout.
- Flexible start time and location, making scheduling straightforward.
City Detective at a glance
- Average playing time: approx. 2-2.5 hours.
- The game can be paused at any time (e.g. for lunch).
- Start location can be chosen freely within the city centre.
- Remote support during the game via WhatsApp and phone.
- Participants play in teams of 2-6.
- Suitable for large groups, up to approx. 150 participants per time slot.
- At least one smartphone with internet access per team.
- Available in Dutch and English.
- Privacy-friendly: login via a unique code, no personal data required.
- Available in a growing number of cities, view all locations on the map.
Played by thousands of detectives across the Netherlands
More than 6,000 players have already taken on the challenge of City Detective. Played by friends, families, colleagues and students alike.
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Flexible booking: standalone or fully organised school day
City Detective is a fully developed city game that can be booked as a standalone activity or as part of a complete day programme.
Booking is straightforward: once the quote is approved, you receive ticket codes and clear instructions, allowing pupils to start immediately. During the game, remote support is provided via WhatsApp and phone for added reassurance.
Create your own city game: from classroom to outdoor lesson (bespoke)
For schools looking to go one step further, we also offer fully bespoke city games.
Would you like a city game that aligns completely with your own curriculum? Together, we can develop a game with:
- A custom route.
- Your own challenges or quiz questions.
- A direct link to specific themes or subject content.
This transforms a regular lesson into an interactive outdoor classroom, where pupils or students actively engage with the subject, beyond the classroom walls.
Interested or have questions?
Not sure whether a city game fits your group or programme? Or would you like to explore the possibilities together?
Get in touch, we’re happy to help, with no obligation.
Give us a call or send us a WhatsApp message on +31 (0)85 800 60 80, or contact us by email at educatie@qugato.com.
Request a no-obligation quote
Leave your details and we’ll get back to you within 2 working days with a price indication and more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I easily organise an educational school trip with minimal preparation?
Organising an educational school trip with Qugato is surprisingly straightforward. You choose a city, request a quote, and receive everything you need: login codes, the invoice, and a concise guide.
On the chosen date, students can start the activity themselves at any convenient time, without needing a guide or complex advance planning. This means you can arrange a complete, engaging, and educational outing in less than an hour of preparation time.
Do teachers need to join the game?
Teachers are not required to play, but they are certainly welcome to join in! Many schools find it fun when teachers form their own team alongside the students.
What happens if it rains heavily or storms?
The challenge can be started or paused at any time on the booked day. This means students can easily take shelter during a sudden shower. If a storm or continuous rain is forecast for the whole day, you can always reschedule the activity in advance to an alternative date.
Is a city game a genuinely educational school trip?
Absolutely. Our city games encourage teamwork, problem-solving and orientation skills. Our teacher guide also includes curriculum links with history, geography, and citizenship, making it a truly valuable learning experience outside the classroom.
How far in advance should we book?
We prefer bookings to be made at least 2 days in advance. To guarantee availability, especially for large groups, we advise booking as soon as your date is confirmed. We reserve a maximum of one large group per city game per session (e.g., morning/afternoon).