<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Background: Indonesia is highly vulnerable to natural disasters due to its location along major tectonic plates and the Pacific Ring of Fire, with Mount Merapi posing significant risks to communities in Disaster-Prone Area (KRB) III. Elementary school students in this area are particularly vulnerable because they often lack adequate disaster preparedness knowledge, highlighting the urgent need for early and age-appropriate disaster education. This study aimed to examine the effect of snakes and ladders game-based education on improving disaster preparedness knowledge among elementary school students. Methods: This study employed a quantitative pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest–posttest approach. A total of 85 fourth- and fifth-grade students were recruited using total sampling. Disaster preparedness knowledge was measured using a questionnaire, and data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test Results: An improvement in students' preparedness knowledge was observed after the intervention. The Wilcoxon test showed a p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), indicating a significant effect of the snakes and ladders educational game on students' disaster preparedness knowledge. (p<0.001). Conclusion: Health education using a snakes and ladders game is effective in improving disaster preparedness knowledge related to Mount Merapi eruptions among elementary school students. Health education using a snakes and ladders game is effective in improving disaster preparedness knowledge related to Mount Merapi eruptions among elementary school students. This finding implies that game-based learning can be integrated into school-based disaster education programs as an engaging and effective strategy to enhance early preparedness among children in high-risk areas.]]>
