FAQ

The official BANANAGRAMS School Club will kick off in September 2019 with monthly challenges being emailed out to inspire game play in classrooms, but you can start playing today if you have your own BANANAGRAMS game already! We recommend starting with a class tournament to crown your first Top Banana student. You might find it useful to use our BANANAGRAMS Tournament Wall Poster to help you plan and track the winners of each game. This can be found at our resources page along with other great downloadable assets for your classroom!

How do I teach my students to play?

It’s easy to pick up the rules of BANANAGRAMS! Full instructions are included in your BANANAGRAMS pouch, or can be downloaded here. You could also show your pupils this video.

How do I receive a free school club kit?

The first 2,500 eligible* schools to register in the USA and UK respectively, will receive a free kit. We will provide ONE FREE CLUB KIT to all eligible schools on a first come, first served basis, while stocks last. You only need to register once. If your school is eligible, you will automatically be added to the waiting list to receive a free kit when they become available. Please refer to our School Club Terms & Conditions here.

How do I contact you if I have a question not listed on this FAQ?

Please email us at schoolclub@bananagrams.com and we will be happy to help in any way we can, or ask the School Club Facebook community.

Who is eligible to receive a free School Club Kit? *

Any school who starts a Bananagrams School Club with over 16 participating students is eligible to receive one free kit, on a first come, first served basis. We provide 2,500 free kits to schools in the USA and UK respectively per year. Once our annual quota is reached, your school will go on a waiting list for the following year’s kit dispersal. Additional club kits will be made available for purchase when possible, or the classic Bananagrams game can be used as a supplement. Contact us directly if you’d like to purchase your own kit at schoolclub@bananagrams.com

If I am not eligible to receive a free school club kit, can I still start a club?

Absolutely yes! You only need a BANANAGRAMS game to start a club (widely available with all good toys and games store in the UK and USA.)

How do I get additional school club kits?

BANANAGRAMS School Club kits are only produced in limited quantities, but you can use the classic BANANAGRAMS game as a substitute/supplement for your club. School Club members will be the first to be notified when available discounts to purchase additional games become available.

My school does not use social media - can I still participate?

Yes! Our monthly “Clubdates” email newsletter will provide all of the club inspiration you need. If you would like to submit a photograph to participate in our monthly club hashtag challenge, you may do so via email schoolclub@bananagrams.com. Please ensure that all submitted photographs adhere to your school’s media release policy. Refer to our Privacy Policy for more information.

My school has a policy never to take photos of students / put photos of children on social media. Is my school at a disadvantage if I can’t provide a photo of our monthly hashtag challenge?

No! If you aren’t able to share photographs featuring students, perhaps send a photo of the winning grid used in the final game, or a photo of the completed tournament wall poster, or written endorsements by students as to how/why they love the Club! If your school wins a prize, please share images of your decorated classroom, winning grid or prize bundle in the classroom!

Does my school get a free kit every year?

In order to serve as many schools as possible, we can only send ONE FREE KIT per eligible school. Where possible, please reuse your kit yearly, as there is no guarantee your school will be eligible to receive a subsequent one.

Are there any prizes? How do you judge them?

Yes! We will award a monthly prize pack that includes games and goodies to one lucky school club from all monthly #hashtag submissions. We will send out a monthly #hashtag challenge (e.g: “most club members to wear yellow” / #BGSCturnsyellow) and all you have to do is submit a photograph of your club in action with the #hashtag theme of the month. Team Bananagrams will review internally and announce the monthly winner!

Is there any inter-school Grand Final like there used to be?

Not at this time. In order to serve more schools around the world and increase inclusivity, the new Bananagrams School Club initiative has evolved to a year-round format, which enables us to bring Bananagrams excitement to many more students!

Do I have to participate in every monthly Club #hashtag challenge?

No. However, the more you participate, the greater your chance of winning great prizes! Participating in every School Club monthly challenge is not required.

What age is the School Club for?

For ages 9-13 we have found tournament style play a fantastic way to get students to Go Wild With Words! We would love to hear about all the creative ways you use Bananagrams to enhance your learning curriculum. Please share your ideas on our Bananagrams School Club Facebook Group.

My school club kit has not arrived?

If you received a confirmation email stating that the kit is on its way with an estimated arrival date and your kit has not arrived 2 days beyond the estimated arrival date, please send an email to schoolclub@banangrams.com.

I used to take part in the Bananagrams School Challenge - can I still get a free pack for the Club?

Yes. However, if you already have games to use in your classroom, we would greatly appreciate if you allow your eligible free kit to go to a school that has never received a kit. Our club registration form allows you to stipulate as such.

Can I have another School Club Kit as our school is very large and 2 games aren’t enough?

Unfortunately not, as our policy states only one free kit per school, to allow us to serve as many schools as possible. We will make games/kits available for purchase at a significant discount whenever possible. Please contact us at schoolclub@bananagrams.com so that we may review your school’s specific circumstance.

Can I change the rules a bit to speed up play or make it easier for my pupils?

Yes! In addition to playing by our traditional rules, we encourage adaptive play and look forward to hearing (and seeing!) how your classroom Goes Wild With Words!

I’ve not been successful in getting a free School Club Kit this year. When can I register to get one for next year?

Our free kits will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to all eligible schools*. If your school was not successful in receiving a kit this year, you will remain on the waiting list until additional kits are available. There is no need to re-register.