Go Wild With the 9 Best Animal Board Games

If you’re into critters of all sizes and types, you’re going to love this list of the 9 best animal board games around. The base game of each provides a solid foundation, allowing players to immerse themselves in the core mechanics and structure before exploring any expansions. Roam the African plains, build zoos, hike through the Pacific Northwest, create an aquascape, or grab some trash with raccoons with these wildly fun games. Each centers on animals of some variety and all take a different approach to our beloved fauna the world over.

Introduction to Animal Board Games

Animal board games are a fantastic way to connect with nature while having a blast. These games often feature stunning illustrations and engaging gameplay mechanics, making them perfect for players of all ages. Whether you’re building a zoo in Ark Nova or stacking critters in Animal Upon Animal, there’s an animal board game out there for everyone. These games not only entertain but also educate, offering insights into different species and their habitats. So, gather your friends and family, and dive into the wild world of animal board games for a fun and enriching experience.

Best Animal Board Games

Bumúntú

Age: 8+ (Community 10+) Players: 2-5 Time: 20-40 minutes

Based on the folklore of the Bakongo tribes, Bumúntú takes players into the stunning world of the kingdom of Kongo, the largest group of tribespeople in Central Africa. In this folklore, animals are the wisest creatures who teach humans what is good and what is moral. And in the game, that means each player is a tribal leader looking for guidance and wisdom from these wise creatures of the jungle – and they must win their favor to earn these precious gifts.

Every player starts Bumúntú on a board filled with African animals, each with unique movement abilities. Players can move as “normal” or follow the wisdom of animals as they earn their favor. This involves collecting chips from the animals through tasks. Some animals make movement on the board easier, while others can affect how your opponents move. Ultimately, this means that players face a variety of strategic choices throughout the game. As the game progresses, fewer animals remain, as taking their chips eliminates them from the board. And as these numbers diminish, choices made by following those who remain become even more critical.

After all the advancement chips from the animals have been collected, every animal offers a different amount of favor, depending on their situation on the Favor Leaderboard – which is affected during the game by player choices. Finally, additional points are given to those who have collected the Nkisi (small statues) and Yowa (spiritual symbols). Whoever has earned the most favor from the animals by the end of the game wins.

Nimalia

Age: 10+ (Community 8+) Players: 2-4 Time: 25-30 minutes

For a fast-paced world-building game, come to Nimalia, a delightfully crafted animal board game themed on building animal sanctuaries. In the game, players take turns during 5 rounds, drawing 3 cards, placing one of them, and then passing the rest to the next player (i.e., a simple drafting phase). Every card represents 4 biomes, each with an animal. These animal cards play a crucial role in gameplay, as players must strategically place them to match specific habitats or conditions to score points. When players lay cards, they have to cover at least one biome for the card to work. Each sanctuary may not exceed 6 x 6 cards.

Every time you play, the game uses a different pool of scoring objectives to keep things interesting (and nearly unending playability). Each round of the game counts some (but not all) of the objectives, so wise planning is required. Ultimately, your goal in Nimalia is to craft the best animal sanctuary via the laying of these cards in strategic placements in the biomes. The game works best with 2 to 4 players, aged 10 and up (8 years, according to the board game community), and lasts about 25 to 30 minutes. When the final round ends, the player who has earned the most points through their careful planning wins the game.

Wingspan

Age: 10+ Players: 1-5 Time: 40-70 minutes

One of the most popular games of recent years, Wingspan is the perfect choice for your animal board games collection. The competitive, medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building game comes from the beloved Stonemaier Games, with over 170 stunningly gorgeous bird illustrations.

Your objective in Wingspan is to build the most glorious bird sanctuary, whether you’re playing an avid bird watcher, collector, researcher, or ornithologist. Cards played help you attract and discover birds, encourage birds to lay eggs and build nests, and allow you to feed the birds. One unique and fun component that comes with the game is a birdfeeder dice tower.

Ultimately, whoever can feed and attract the most birds and create the best bird sanctuary (i.e., gain the most points) wins the game.

Running with the Bulls

Age: 8+ (Community 6+) Players: 2-6 Time: 40-60 minutes

For a different take on animal board games, head to Spain and the fictional town of El Toro, where you can go Running with the Bulls. Loosely based on the world-famous running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, this exciting animal board game plots a herd of mischievous bulls against the players who must outwit and outrun them to survive the game – and make it to their desired destinations on the Spanish coast.

The dice in the game function as the runners, and players must manipulate them to discover the paths and outmaneuver the bulls. And you’ve got to both work with your own strategy and hope for a bit of luck to make it!

Players receive handfuls of dice (runners) and start at the top of the game board. They play cards to re-roll the dice or veer the pathways of opposing runners. In-game, three days pass and players must use that time to get to the coast (the bottom of the board) without getting run over by the raging bulls.

You’ll also enjoy the silly artwork full of wild, goofy bulls bent on keeping you from your destination – along with hidden jokes that mimic “Where’s Waldo” puzzles a bit. Ultimately, whoever makes it to the bottom of the board with the most runners by the end of 3 days (rounds), wins the game. Running with the Bulls is ideal for 2 to 6 players, aged 8 and up (the board game community says 6+), and lasts about 40 to 60 minutes per game. Some have described the game as being a bit like a strategic pachinko.

Ark Nova

Age: 14+ (Community 12+) Players: 1-4 Time: 90-150 minutes

If you prefer a zoo to an animal sanctuary, you’re in the right place. Ark Nova is all about creating modern, scientifically managed zoos with appropriate and healthy accommodations for your animals, conservation efforts, and more. The game more closely resembles what the ideal and properly run real-world zoo should look like and, in its way, helps educate folks on what conservation really is and why zoos matter.

In Ark Nova, your goal is to create the most successful zoological establishment by building proper enclosures, accommodating animals, bringing in specialists, creating unique buildings, and supporting conservation projects the world over. Players build enclosures to house different animal species, ensuring that each enclosure matches the specific needs of the animals, which can affect scoring and gameplay dynamics. Every player is given a set of 5 action cards designed to help them manage their gameplay. Each card’s power of action is determined by the slot it holds when in play.

Cards may include any of the following actions:

• Build: Allows players to build standard or specialized enclosures, pavilions, or kiosks.

• Animals: Allows players to properly accommodate animals in their zoos.

• Association: Allows players to associate workers with different tasks to carry out.

• Cards: Allows players to gain new zoo cards (sponsors, projects, or animals).

• Sponsors: Allows players to sponsor an action or raise money.

Ark Nova comes with 255 beautifully illustrated cards that feature animals, conservation projects, and special enclosures, each of which gives a special ability. The game works for 1 to 4 players, aged 14 and up (12+ according to the board game community), and lasts about 90 to 150 minutes per each play through.

Cascadia

Age: 10+ (Community 8+) Players: 1-4 Time: 30-45 minutes

Head to the Pacific Northwest in Cascadia, a puzzly, tile-laying, token-drafting game centered on wildlife and their natural habitats. Between 1 and 4 players aged 10 and up (8+ according to the gaming community) in 30 to 45 minutes aim to build out their terrain and populate it with wildlife. Everyone starts with 3 hexagonal habitat tiles, each with 5 types of habitats from the game. On turns, players choose a new habitat tile that’s paired with a wildlife token, place it adjacent to other tiles, and then place the wildlife token on its appropriate habitat. Every token depicts 1 to 3 types of habitat appropriate for the critter.

The idea is to create matching terrain by connecting matching tiles to each other, creating corridors for the animals. If you manage to create a larger group of animals than other players’, you’ll score extra points. It sounds a little complicated, but once you get into the game, it’s easy to understand and play.

Aqua Garden

Age: 15+ (Community 8+) Players: 1-4 Time: 40-60 minutes

Aqua Garden places players in the roles of aquarium owners aiming to fill six tanks with exciting sea life. The challenge? Everyone only has so much money and only one employee capable of placing the critters in the tanks. And you’ve got to manage all of this creative maneuvering in just 3 to 4 rounds of play.

At the onset of the game, sea creatures are placed randomly around the perimeter of the game board and coral and seaweed tokens are placed on the separate Sea board, along with another five random sea creatures. During each round of play, whichever player is farthest back on the perimeter of the shared board will take the next turn, meaning turn order changes uniquely each time around. The players must move their pieces to empty spaces and then take the action noted in the space. If the piece stops on an advertising spot, the player receives funds based on what’s currently housed in their aquariums. When a piece stops on a sea creature space, the player must take them all, move their one employee 1 to 3 spaces clockwise on their aquarium board, then place the creatures collected into one or both tanks adjacent to the employee. When the employee passes a feeding event card that was originally dealt at the beginning of the game, the player also receives funds from the bank based on the creatures in the 2 adjacent tanks.

Every tank in the game contains 4 units of oxygen, which means players must carefully choose which sea creatures go into each tank. If a creature uses more oxygen units than what’s in the tank, the player must add seaweed to increase the oxygen output. Other restrictions and challenges help make fulfilling your mission to fill six aquarium tanks an exciting adventure – and help to bring out the competition. Ultimately, whoever successfully fills their six tanks with manta rays, flapjack octopuses, remoras, and other critters wins the game.

Meadow

Age: 10+ Players: 1-4 Time: 60-90 minutes

Head to the Meadow for an engaging set collection animal board game. The game features over 200 unique cards, each with gorgeous hand-painted watercolor illustrations, and works for players aged 10 and up. You can play solo or include up to three other friends in your 60- to 90-minute game exploring the wild, beautiful world of animals of the Meadow. Meadow is a complex game that requires strategic planning, making it a rewarding experience for those who enjoy deeper gameplay.

In the game, every player takes on the role of an explorer competing for the title of the most skilled nature observer. That means that each player is going to collect cards, aiming for the most valuable landscapes, animals, and unique discoveries.

The medium-weight board game has players take turns placing path tokens on one of two boards. Each token placed on the main board allows the player to garner new cards, but to place them, the player must meet certain requirements before laying them down. Playing a token on the campfire board (explored at the end of the game) activates special actions that help players act on their chosen strategies and gives players the chance to fulfill goals for extra points. Whoever winds up collecting the most points through these various means – and meeting their goals – wins the game, as revealed at the end-of-game campfire moment.

Trash Pandas

Age: 8+ (Community 6+) Players: 2-4 Time: 15-20 minutes

Drop into the fun-filled world of raccoons in the adorable game of Trash Pandas, in which these masked bandits are on the lookout for the best garbage to nosh on after the lights go out. You’ll take on the role of raccoons pushing their luck as they try to grab more cards (trash) to stash away for higher scores.

On each turn, one active player rolls a die, and with each roll that player decides whether or not to keep the die or to keep rolling in the hopes of better rolls. Every extra roll, though, means the player heightens their odds of going bust (and being sent back to the beginning). So, players must decide: which roll is worth the risk? You’ll blaze through with lightning speed until the cards run out and everyone compares their treasure troves of rotting banana peels. Whoever has the most points wins the game.

Best Board Games for Younger Players

If you’re on the hunt for a fun and educational game for younger players, look no further. Here are some top picks that are sure to delight:

• Animal Upon Animal: This delightful stacking game has players taking turns to balance wooden animals on top of each other. It’s a test of dexterity and patience, perfect for younger players who love hands-on fun.

• Squirrel Rush: In this tile placement game, players race to collect as many nuts as possible before winter arrives. It’s a great way to teach strategic thinking in a playful setting.

• Mariposas: Follow the incredible journey of Monarch butterflies as they migrate across three seasons. This game combines beautiful artwork with educational content, making it a hit with kids and adults alike.

• Rustling Leaves: A roll-and-write game where players earn points for the wildlife they spot (or don’t spot) in different seasons. It’s simple yet engaging, ideal for younger players who enjoy a bit of competition.

These games are highly rated and suitable for players aged 4 and up, ensuring that even the youngest members of your family can join in on the fun.

Fun Family Game Night Ideas

Looking to spice up your family game night? Here are some wild ideas to make it unforgettable:

• Wildlife-Themed Game Night: Feature games like Ark Nova, Cascadia, and Wingspan. Each game offers a unique way to explore the animal kingdom, making for an educational and entertaining evening.

• Animal Upon Animal Tournament: Set up a tournament with Animal Upon Animal, complete with prizes for the winners. It’s a fun way to get everyone involved and test their stacking skills.

• Game Buffet: Create a “game buffet” with a variety of animal-themed games. Let each player choose which one they want to play, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

• Game Night Challenge: Compete to see who can collect the most conservation points in a game like Ark Nova. It’s a great way to add a competitive edge to your game night while learning about conservation efforts.

These ideas are sure to make your family game night a roaring success, filled with fun, laughter, and a bit of friendly competition.

Conclusion

There you have it – the absolute most fun animal board games out there. So, gather your flock and plan a game night, complete with fabulous game night supplies like animal crackers, goldfish, and bunny crackers for snacks. Or pick a theme night and get on your safari with Bumúntú or dive deep in for a seafood spread and a game of Aqua Garden. Whatever you choose, it’s bound to be an amazing, wildly good time!

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