Decomposition Timeline Game: A Free Printable Sustainability Activity for Schools and Families

Party Kit Network
1 day ago
2 min read

Looking for a fun sustainability activity for children? Our Decomposition Timeline Game is a free printable resource designed to help kids and adults explore how everyday waste breaks down in the natural environment.

Created by the Party Kit Network, this interactive environmental education activity encourages players to order items (such as apple cores, plastic drinks bottles, disposable nappies and crisp packets) by how long they take to decompose. It’s a simple but powerful way to spark conversations about waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and plastic pollution.

Perfect for Schools, Eco Councils and Community Groups

This game works brilliantly as:

A school eco council activity
A KS2 sustainability resource
A climate education discussion starter
An Earth Day or Plastic Free July activity
A waste and recycling lesson for primary schools
A community workshop or youth group session

We’ve played this game with both children and adults, and it always generates thoughtful discussion. Children are often surprised that fruit peels don’t disappear overnight, while adults are struck by how long single-use plastics, synthetic clothing, and disposable products remain in the environment.

It’s not just about getting the “right” answer. It's about building awareness and critical thinking around everyday waste choices.

A Note on Decomposition Times

The decomposition timelines provided in the game are guides rather than exact figures. How quickly something breaks down depends on environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, oxygen levels, and the presence of soil microbes.

For example, food waste decomposes much faster in a compost bin than in open countryside. Plastics and synthetic fibres may fragment over time but do not truly biodegrade in the same way natural materials do.

Understanding these variables is part of the learning.

Download the Free PDF

We’ve made the Decomposition Timeline Game available as a free printable PDF download, ready to use at home, in the classroom, or in your community setting.

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