It sounds cliché but learning can be fun. No really, understanding the way the world works and developing your personal skills is truly beneficial and you never know where it will take you. We associate learning with school and no doubt have terrible memories and experiences of boring teachers in a dreary classroom blandly listing out facts we don’t need to know about something we’ll probably never use in the real world. Well, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy learning and board games are one of them.
Like video games, most people associate board games as an escape from things like learning. To take part in something fantastic that takes us away from the drudgery of everyday life. Did you know though that board games are always teaching us something? Whether it be interpersonal skills, problem-solving, strategic planning, or motor skills, games offer us a lot. Likewise, there are plenty of board games out there that will expand our mind with various facts, or help us refine our knowledge with spelling and maths. The best part is, they normally do this in a fun way that doesn’t feel like learning at all. Some of these are even considered the best board games for their educational value.
Below are just some educational board games, covering a variety of topics for all kinds of ages and ability levels.
We have lots of articles on educational games for kids. Here’s a list of all of those categories if you are looking for something specific:
Directory of Educational Board Games Types for Kids
- Educational Games for Toddlers
- Geography Board Games
- History Board Games
- Math Board Games
- Science Board Games
- Spelling Board Games
- Word Board Games
What Are Some Fun Board Games That Are Also Educational for Kids?
Board games have long been a favorite pastime for families and friends, offering a fun way to spend time together while also providing educational benefits. Many board games are designed to teach specific skills, such as math, strategy, and critical thinking. These games can be particularly beneficial for children, helping them to develop important cognitive and social skills in an engaging and interactive way.
Bananagrams
By: Bananagrams Inc Players: 2-8 Ages: 7+ Time: 15 Minutes
Using over 140 letter tiles, players scramble to not just create as many words as possible, but arrange them into a crossword as quickly as they can.
In Bananagrams, players race to create a crossword with a randomly selected assortment of letter tiles. The game starts with all the tiles being placed face-down in the center of the play area. Everyone then draws their starting tiles, the number of which is dependent on how many players are taking part in the game.
When someone calls out “Split!” everyone simultaneously turns their tiles face up and races to arrange them into a word grid. Words must read left to right if horizontal or top to bottom if vertical. This grid is fluid and can be rearranged at any time as players discover new words.
The first player to place their last tile calls out “Peel!” and everyone takes another tile from the “bunch” of tiles left. If players want to exchange tiles, they call out “dump!” and return a tile they don’t need but must take three back in exchange.
When the bunch is depleted, the first person to use all their letters in a word grid and call out “Bananas!” wins that hand. If that player’s word grid contains misspelled words or abbreviations, they are out of the game.
There are several variations to play, including a solo version, which means there are plenty of ways to play with friends, family, or alone.
A fast-paced, frantic, and fun game: Bananagrams is great for helping kids with their spelling and understanding of the English language. Trying to fit the letters together to create a crossword can be tricky at first, but after some practice kids will find this game a-peel-ing! …Sorry, I had to let at least one Banana pun slip in!
It’s an exciting game and, additionally, Bananagrams is a board game that provides an excellent opportunity for children to develop critical thinking skills as they strategize and solve problems to form words quickly.
Rapid Rumble
By: Skillmatics Players: 2-5 Ages: 6+ Time: 20-30 minutes
Let’s get ready to rumble! Roll the dice, pick a category card, and flip the timer in this fast paced game. You’ve then got 90 seconds to name as many things associated with a randomly chosen category.
Rapid Rumble tests players’ knowledge on a number of subjects by getting them to list off as many answers as they can in a short space of time. The game covers four different categories: Animals, Nature and Science, Culture, and Things.
At the start of the game, each player receives an equal number of letter cards, all of which (funnily enough) have a letter on them. The object of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all their letter cards by using them in conjunction with their answers. Players keep the majority of these cards face down, but on their turn, they will lay down the top three cards.
Then, players take turns rolling the dice to determine which category they will be picking a question card from. These questions could be “an animal that can be found underwater” or “something that uses electricity.” When the card is revealed, the sand timer is flipped, and the player must use the three letter cards they have to answer the question.
They then replenish their hand with another card and continue to answer as many questions with the cards they have available until the timer runs out. There are a few extra letter cards players will find if they’re lucky enough, which allow them to skip their turn, use any letter, or just use vowels with their guesses.
Literally the definition of rapid-fire gaming, Rapid Rumble is an exciting game that tests a player’s memory and general knowledge whilst under pressure. A great board game that will teach kids a thing or two, especially with every card having a random fact at the bottom.
Trekking The World
By: Underdog Games Ages: 10+ Players: 2-5 Time: 30-60 minutes
Travel the world and experience new cultures from the comfort of your own home. Race against others to explore ancient jungle ruins and the African savanna, picking up rare souvenirs along the way, to become the ultimate globe trotter.
In Trekking The World, players travel across a world map game board, visiting all kinds of destinations and collecting souvenirs, with the goal of having as many victory points at the end of the game. The game is played on a vibrant board that represents a map of the world, and players use a “Trekker” token to move around it. These player markers start at an empty airport, and various components are divided up and placed around the board in their relevant areas.
A player’s turn consists of two phases: movement and choosing. Movement is dictated by “Trek Cards.” Players receive several of these at the start of the game and can play as many as they wish during the movement phase, moving that many spaces. Dotted around the map are “Souvenir cubes,” and if a player ends their turn on one of them, they may place it in their suitcase, which is used to keep track of items they collect along the way.
Whichever player ends their turn with the most of one particular colored cube receives the “Most Souvenir” tile, which comes into play when determining victory points. After this, players may take one of three actions to finish their turn. If a player is at a destination with a matching Destination card on display, they may claim it and place it in their suitcase. Some of these will have victory point tokens attached, further boosting a player’s score at the end.
Players can activate a “Journey” card by discarding two Trek cards with matching icons. The Journey cards will trigger certain effects, like moving to various spaces on the board or gaining victory points, so having a bit of luck on your side when choosing this action doesn’t hurt. As an alternative to the above two options, players can take extra trek cards.
The game ends when 5 region bonus tiles are claimed or a player collects their 5th destination card. Players then add their victory points (receiving bonuses for certain criteria), and the player with the highest score wins.
Trekking The World is a great way for kids and adults alike to learn more about our world, with 48 real-life destinations highlighted and beautifully illustrated on the game board. Packed with tons of geographical facts, it’s an excellent game that helps kids learn about different cultures.
7 Wonders
By: Repos Productions Ages:10+ Players: 3-7 Time: up to 30 minutes
Play as a leader of one of the seven great cities of the ancient world. Gather resources, develop commercial routes, and strengthen military forces. Build a city and erect an architectural wonder that will transcend time.
In 7 Wonders, players compete with each other to gain enough points to be declared the greatest civilization of the ancient world. Each player starts the game with one of the titular seven wonders, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The game is played over three “ages,” each using its own deck of cards. At the start of each age, players are dealt seven cards from the deck. They play one card and place the rest of their hand face down to the side. With the chosen card, a player can either build a structure, build a stage of a wonder, or discard a card for three coins.
Structures have a cost associated with them, but when erected, they generate resources that assist in building other structures or constructing the player’s wonder. Wonders are built in three stages, always from left to right as shown on the card, requiring different resources at each stage.
Play happens simultaneously, and once everyone has performed their action, players take the hand from the player next to them that was previously used, and the process starts again. This adds an element of luck to the game and forces players to be adaptable.
After six turns, that age ends, and players score points based on a player’s military strength. Once all three ages have passed, victory points are calculated, factoring in wealth, military might, scientific developments, and population, all based on the cards laid down throughout the game.
Additionally, if a wonder is fully built, it provides a significant boost in points. The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.
7 Wonders is a great strategy board game with multiple ways to win that doesn’t take long to play through but offers a lot of replayability. It helps broaden players understanding of the ancient world and the background of various cultures. As a classic game, it has enduring popularity and appeals to both solo and group play, making it a timeless addition to any game collection.
Guess In 10
By: Skillmatics Ages: 8+ Players: 2-6 Time: 30 minutes
Test your knowledge on all manner of subjects in this general knowledge board game. Use problem-solving skills to ask the most poignant questions in order to guess the correct answer. Be the first to collect seven game cards to win!
Guess in 10 is an educational game where players ask up to 10 questions to try and figure out which animal their opposing team has chosen. The game can be played head-to-head, but it’s recommended to break into teams if there are more than three players.
Each team will take three clue cards (to be used later), and the first player chooses the first card from the stack, keeping it hidden from the other team at all times. The first two buzzwords near the top of the card are read out, and the guessing team can ask any question they like, as long as it can be answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
If the team is stumped, they can use their clue cards, and the opposing team must read out facts listed on the card to help the other players with their guess. The clue cards must be discarded when used, so playing them tactically is important.
Two guesses can be made to identify what’s on the card, but if both are incorrect, the card is discarded. If it is guessed correctly, the card is won. There is a ‘double or nothing’ option once a card is guessed correctly: players can choose to answer the bonus question at the bottom of the card if they wish.
Answering it correctly means they win the card, and all three buzzwords on the next card must be revealed. Answering incorrectly means they lose their card!
Guess in 10 is a great educational board game to keep kids entertained and teach them something at the same time. There are plenty of variations to the game testing knowledge about countries, animals, dinosaurs, and cities. At home or on the go, it’s a great game with lots of learning opportunities and helps enhance children’s deductive and fine motor skills.
Conclusion: Sneak in Some Educational Games (with our picks, they won’t even notice)
These are just a handful of the best educational board games out there, all teaching something different and improving the players knowledge significantly in a variety of areas. If there are any you enjoy that haven’t made the list, please let us know what other educational games you enjoy playing. These games are also perfect for game night, bringing family and friends together for fun and learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these educational board games suitable for all age groups?
Yes, the games listed cater to a wide range of ages. Each game specifies the appropriate age group on its packaging, ensuring both children and adults can enjoy them. For example, many games are suitable for kids ages 12 and up, making them perfect for family game nights.
Can these educational board games be played solo or do they require multiple players?
Most of the games mentioned, like 7 Wonders and Guess In 10, are designed for multiple players to enhance the interactive experience. However, some games, such as those involving puzzles or card collections, may have solo variants or rules.
How do these games help in educational development?
These games are crafted to teach various subjects, from geography and history to creative thinking, math skills and logic games. They make learning engaging and fun, that even younger children will love playing, all while helping players overcome obstacles and develop new skills like memory skills and social skills.
Where can I purchase these board games and card games?
Most of these games are available at major retailers, online marketplaces like Amazon, and specialty board game stores. Checking the official website of each game can also provide purchasing options.
Can these educational board games be used in a classroom setting?
Absolutely! Many elementary school educators integrate these games into their lesson plans to supplement traditional teaching methods. They provide a hands-on learning experience that can make complex topics more accessible to students, like math skills.
Are there expansions or additional content available for these games?
Yes, games like 7 Wonders often have expansion packs that add new cards, game board, wonders, or gameplay variants, enhancing replayability and keeping this card game fresh.
How long does it usually take to learn these games?
While the learning curve varies depending on the complexity of the game, most come with clear, detailed instructions. Additionally, there are numerous online tutorials and videos available to aid in understanding the rules quickly. Easy to learn for the entire family.
Are these games available in multiple languages?
Many of these games are translated into several languages, making them accessible to a global audience. Check the game’s packaging or official website for language options.