We are incredibly excited to announce that the Happy Heads Card Game has been shortlisted for the Best Cross-Curriculum Game of 2024 by Imagination Gaming, standing alongside some of the biggest names in the card and board game industry.

This recognition is a real testament to our commitment to creating fun, engaging, and educational resources that not only entertain but also promote emotional wellbeing and mental health awareness for children, families, and educators alike.

Being shortlisted for such a significant award means so much to us here at Book of Beasties, and we thought we’d explain why this achievement is important, what it means for Happy Heads, and how it perfectly aligns with our mission to provide the very best games that make a positive impact.

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What Are the Imagination Gaming Awards?

The Imagination Gaming Awards were established in 2013 to celebrate the very best in table-top games, particularly those that families and educators consider invaluable in developing social and curriculum skills. These awards recognise the profound impact that games can have on education and personal development, as well as their ability to bring joy to players of all ages.

They are part of Imagination Gaming's broader mission to raise awareness of the educational value of games in everyday life, particularly in schools, libraries, and community groups across the UK.

Each year, Imagination Gaming reviews a wide range of games from across the globe, examining their impact on players and assessing their ability to engage, excite, and educate. The awards are designed to highlight games that do more than just entertain—they must also offer significant educational value and contribute to improving communication and thinking skills.

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Why the Imagination Gaming Awards Matter

The Imagination Gaming Awards are highly respected within the gaming and educational communities. Being recognised by Imagination Gaming not only validates a game's quality, but it also signals that the game has been tested, enjoyed, and proven to have a real impact on the players who experience it.

For us, being shortlisted for Best Cross-Curriculum Game of 2024 is a major milestone, as it demonstrates that Happy Heads is not just fun to play, but also a super powerful tool for education and emotional development.

These awards are important because they shine a light on games that contribute to the greater good. Games shortlisted or awarded in these categories are regularly used in Imagination Gaming’s workshops, events, and family zones across the UK. These games become part of the hands-on learning experience for thousands of children, educators, and parents every year, giving them a chance to see firsthand how powerful tabletop games can be in promoting critical thinking, social interaction, and emotional growth.

The Significance of Being Shortlisted for Best Cross-Curriculum Game

The Best Cross-Curriculum Game category is especially significant because it recognises games that transcend traditional subject boundaries, offering educational value across a range of topics and skills. These are games that not only engage with one particular area of learning but can be used as versatile tools in a variety of educational contexts.

For **Happy Heads Card Game**, this recognition underscores its value as more than just a mental health and wellbeing tool. While its primary aim is to encourage conversations about emotions, build emotional intelligence, and promote mental health awareness, it also aligns with various curriculum areas such as literacy, critical thinking, and social skills development. By using the game in educational settings, teachers and parents can foster an environment where children feel comfortable discussing their feelings and learning how to navigate complex emotions.

Being shortlisted for this award proves that Happy Heads Card Game is a resource that can be used to support both the emotional and educational growth of children, a game that combines fun, learning, and emotional development in one package.

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The Power of Games in Education and Wellbeing

At Book of Beasties, we’ve always believed in the power of play to teach, heal, and bring people together. The shortlisting of Happy Heads Card Game is not only an honor but also validation that games can be a vital part of the conversation around mental health and emotional well-being.

Games like Happy Heads allow children to approach complex topics like emotions, resilience, and empathy in a non-threatening, enjoyable way. When children play, they often let their guard down, and they become more open to discussing difficult subjects. Games can facilitate these conversations in ways that traditional educational tools sometimes cannot, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like mental health.

This is especially important in today’s world, where mental health issues in children are on the rise. The ability to help children build emotional resilience and self-awareness from an early age is more critical than ever. By making these conversations part of a game, children can explore their emotions in a safe, supported environment, learning skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

What’s Next for Happy Heads Card Game?

This is a major step forward for Happy Heads Card Game, and it opens the door to many new possibilities. One of the most exciting aspects of this achievement is that the game was showcased in the Imagination Gaming Family Zone at the UK Games Expo in Birmingham, one of the largest gaming conventions in Europe.

This means that thousands of visitors, including families, educators, and game enthusiasts, got the opportunity to experience Happy Heads firsthand, to play it, and to see for themselves how it can be used to support both learning and emotional development.

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**#HappyHeads #ImaginationGaming #CrossCurriculumGame #MentalHealthAwareness #BoardGamesForKids #EmotionalWellbeing #BookOfBeasties #GameAwards #UKGamesExpo**

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