Micro Monsters

Micro Monsters is an interactive board game designed to help children aged 8 and up explore the science of the gut microbiome in a fun, hands-on way. The game invites players to make strategic decisions around food and environmental choices that influence microbial diversity—translating complex biology into playful, accessible learning.

The board features a colorful, anatomically-inspired digestive system filled with cut-outs representing different microbes—some beneficial, some harmful. Players use tweezers to add or remove these microbes based on prompts from action cards, which reflect real-world lifestyle decisions. Each turn may involve adding a “micro hero,” removing a “micro opportunist,” or defeating a “micro monster,” helping players visualize how everyday habits impact their internal ecosystems.

Through tactile play and thoughtful strategy, Micro Monsters sparks curiosity, builds STEM understanding, and encourages children to connect personal choices with scientific outcomes in an engaging and memorable way.