The MAX-Box is an educational and collaborative game centred around the concept of a trusted person, designed for young people aged 9 to 12 in an extracurricular setting, such as youth movements or sports clubs. The game aims to strengthen young people’s resilience and make it easier for them to seek help from an adult they can trust when faced with difficult situations. This way, young people are better prepared to face challenges and understand that they are not alone, which is an essential aspect of their emotional development.

MAX: an adult your child can trust

Children and young people grow up in a complex world. They are discovering their identity, building friendships, but may sometimes face situations that are hard to handle alone. That’s precisely when it is crucial for them to have someone to turn to, an adult they can trust who listens, understands, and helps. Or, as Child Focus calls it: a MAX. 

Since 2021, Child Focus has introduced the MAX concept to children in various ways. MAX has been integrated into numerous training sessions and prevention materials, as well as through the collaborative game MAX 24/7, which is offered free of charge to schools. 

Child Focus went one step further with the launch of the MAX-Box, a free educational game aimed at extracurricular settings (youth movements, sports clubs, boarding schools, etc.) for children aged 9 to 12. This new game provides youth leaders, sports coaches, and other supervisors with a fun and accessible tool to engage in conversations with 8 to 25 children about the importance of speaking up, who they can turn to, and who can be their MAX.

The MAX-Box: a game that encourages open dialogue during extracurricular activities

The MAX-Box targets children outside the school environment (sports clubs, youth movements, extracurricular activities, etc.) and requires no prior knowledge from the facilitator. The game brings the concept of an “adult confidant” to life and encourages open discussions about delicate or sensitive situations. 

Young people learn interactively and playfully who can be their MAX (such as a youth leader, teacher, family member, neighbour...), what qualities should that person have, how to strengthen the bond between the MAX and the child, and when to seek help from their MAX. At the same time, it allows organisations working with children to show that they value confiding in an adult, reporting any issues they’re having, and want to create a caring environment whenever possible.

Nel Broothaerts, CEO of Child Focus, explains: 

"Talking works. At Child Focus, we see every day that children who can share their small and big worries with an adult take an important step towards relief and finding solutions. But talking is not always easy: who should they turn to? That’s why we developed the MAX concept. Our goal is for every child to have a trusty person they can turn to for small or big concerns. The MAX-Box helps youth group leaders have this conversation in a constructive way. This way, children feel they are not alone."

Discover and order the MAX-Box game on Child Focus' website.

Find more information about the work of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.