Understanding EU Travel Rights Through Role-Play
The Passport Game helps pupils in 1st and 2nd Class understand how travel works between EU and non-EU countries. Through a fun role-play activity set at passport control, children learn that EU citizens have special rights when travelling within the European Union, while travellers from other countries may need additional checks or documents.
What’s the difference between Activities and Instructions?
Activities are the interactive games or exercises your pupils will complete in class. Instructions are the teacher materials that help you prepare: background notes, printable sheets, or instructions.
Learning objectives
This activity helps children to:
- Recognise that different countries have different passports
- Understand that EU citizens have special travel rights within the EU
- Know that people from non-EU countries may need extra checks or documents
- Correctly decide whether a passport belongs to the EU or Non-EU category
- Make simple connections between countries and travel rules
- Explain and justify their choices using simple language
- Listen to others’ ideas and reach agreement
- Ask questions about countries, passports and travel
- Appreciate that EU cooperation makes travel easier for member countries
Introducing passports and travel rules
The activity begins with a discussion about passports and travel.
A world map is displayed so children can locate countries and begin thinking geographically.
Each child receives a passport and is told to imagine that they have just arrived in Portugal.
The teacher introduces the idea that travellers must choose the correct passport control channel.
Setting up the passport control game
A large sign is placed in the classroom showing two directions:
- EU passports
- Non-EU passports
The classroom is transformed into an airport arrival area.
The teacher takes on the role of the border police, creating an immersive and engaging role-play.
Playing the passport game
The activity takes place step by step:
- Children identify the country on their passport
- Table by table, pupils queue and decide which channel to use
- Each child explains their choice before showing their passport
- The teacher checks passports and confirms or discusses the decision
This process encourages reasoning, confidence and respectful discussion.
Understanding EU cooperation through travel
Through the game, children discover that:
- EU countries cooperate to make travel simpler for EU citizens
- Non-EU travellers may need different procedures
- Rules can vary depending on where you are from
These ideas are introduced in a practical, age-appropriate way without complex terminology.
Reflecting on choices and discussion
At the end of the activity, pupils reflect on:
- Why they chose the EU or Non-EU channel
- What helped them make their decision
- How listening to others helped them understand better
This reflection reinforces learning and encourages respectful dialogue.
Why this activity works
- Uses role-play to explain real-world concepts
- Builds geography, reasoning and communication skills
- Encourages discussion and justification of choices
- Makes EU travel rights concrete and memorable
- Requires minimal materials and preparation
