47 Best Educational Board Games For K-12 (Updated 2023)

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Educational board games are the best!

We have always enjoyed playing board games for kids as a family. But, since we have been homeschooling (5 years now) we now incorporate them into our homeschool day.

As we have been homeschooling I thought I would share the best educational board games. Trust me, they are so much fun the kids have no idea they are really learning!

I have broken these board games into educational subjects for ease of reading, as there are loads!! In fact over 47 at the last count. If you know of one that I have not included please let me know in the comments below and I will add it.

monopoly board game with the words 40+ insanely fun board games that are also educational over the top.

**There may be affiliate links in this post. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.**

What are the benefits of playing educational board games?

Gameschooling is probably my favorite homeschooling tip. But, what is gameschooling? Put very simply it is kids playing games while learning.

Playing educational board games can offer several benefits for kids of all ages, including:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Improved memory
  • Cognitive development
  • Social interaction and communication
  • Critical thinking and decision-making
  • Creativity and imagination
  • Emotional and social skills development
  • Screen-free entertainment
  • Enhanced math and literacy skills
  • Increased knowledge and understanding of various subjects
  • Improved concentration and focus
  • Development of strategic thinking abilities
  • Boosted spatial reasoning skills
  • Strengthened fine motor skills
  • Introduction to new concepts and ideas
  • Encouragement of patience and perseverance
  • Promotion of healthy competition
  • Development of logical reasoning skills
  • Reinforcement of teamwork and collaboration
  • Opportunities for problem-solving in a fun and engaging way

Best learning board games

As this is such a huge list I have included our top 7 favorite educational board games for each subject area. This wasn’t an easy task as we love them all.

These are the very best games for kids by subject:

  1. Math: Yahtzee.
  2. Language Arts: Blank Slate.
  3. Science: Genius Star.
  4. Geography: The World Game.
  5. History: Trekking Through History (absolutely brilliant, our current favorite board game.)
  6. Strategy: Chess
  7. General education: Trivial Pursuits.

If you have an only child and are looking for educational one player games for kids check out our latest post.

This is just a small collection of the educational board games we enjoy in our homeschool.

8 of the best educational board games. Monopoly, scrabble, blank slate, frenetic, trivial pursuit, brain games, boggle. and chronology staked ontop of each other.

Math Board Game Ideas

These are the best math board games that add a dose of excitement to learning numbers and equations.

These games make math enjoyable by incorporating challenges, puzzles, and strategic thinking.

Players can practice arithmetic, problem-solving, and logical reasoning while having fun with friends or family. From classics like Monopoly with its money management to newer math-focused games like Sum Swamp, these board games make math engaging and help improve mathematical skills in an entertaining way.

Get ready to roll the dice and unleash your inner math wizard!

Best Word Board Games

Word board games are a fantastic way to have a blast with letters and language.

These word games challenge players to create words, solve anagrams, and strategically place tiles to score points.

Whether it's the classic Scrabble or newer word games like Bananagrams or Boggle, these games enhance vocabulary, spelling, and critical thinking skills while providing hours of entertainment.

Get ready to unleash your inner wordsmith and show off your linguistic prowess in the best word board games

Science board game ideas

These best science board games spark curiosity and ignite a passion for scientific exploration.

These games engage players in hands-on experiments, trivia challenges, and problem-solving scenarios that cover various scientific disciplines like biology, chemistry, and physics.

By integrating fun gameplay with scientific concepts, these board games encourage critical thinking, foster a love for learning, and inspire players to delve deeper into the wonders of the natural world.

They're perfect for both aspiring young scientists and anyone looking to have a blast while expanding their scientific knowledge.

Geography Board Games

These are the best geography board games that make exploring the world a captivating and interactive experience.

Players can embark on virtual journeys, discovering different countries, continents, and landmarks while honing their knowledge of geography.

These games often incorporate trivia questions, map puzzles, and strategic decision-making, providing a fun way to learn about diverse cultures, landscapes, and the interconnectedness of our planet.

Whether you're a budding explorer or a geography enthusiast, these games offer an entertaining way to expand your global knowledge.

History Board Games

These best history board games offer an exciting way to dive into the past and experience key historical events firsthand.

These games transport players to different eras, allowing them to make strategic decisions, conquer territories, or even shape the course of history.

Through immersive gameplay, history board games not only entertain but also educate players about significant historical figures, civilizations, and the consequences of various actions, making learning about history a thrilling adventure.

Strategy Educational Board Games

Strategy board games are awesome because they not only provide a fun gaming experience but also stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

These games challenge players to plan ahead, make tactical decisions, and consider different outcomes.

It's a great way for both kids and adults to have a blast while expanding their knowledge and honing their strategic abilities.

Civics Board Games

Playing civics board games can be super beneficial for kids!

They help sharpen critical thinking skills as they tackle tricky situations, promote teamwork and collaboration as they plan with their buddies, and make learning about civic concepts and democracy way more fun.

These games give kids the power to become active citizens and understand how to make a positive impact in their communities.

Board games by age

What are your favorite educational board games? Please let me know in the comments below.

Last Updated on 1 November 2023 by homeschoolof1

2 Comments

  1. Heya.

    Board games are perfect in order to teach math skills. We love to play a fast paced timed game of Rummikub. Best wishes to you. I love your blog. We also try Monopoly Deal from time to time.

    We start off typically with a untimed yet still rather quick practice round. This is done in addition to build up slowly. The kids do really have to think fast to win. So do us adults. I love it.

    Every single winter I pull it out of a downstairs cupboard for us to play. Each player gets thirteen tiles to place slowly on a rack. I start off the game by placing one set on the table. We take it in turns to play each round as it happens.

    This is the game for boosting their limited counting skills for sure. It is also a decent game overall. And I have found that it works to control the degree of boredom. Nothing else could be more ideal. Seriously. Recommended.

    1. I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying the blog and finding educational board games to be a great way to teach math skills. Rummikub and Monopoly Deal are excellent choices! Your approach of starting with an untimed practice round and gradually increasing the pace is a fantastic way to make the learning process enjoyable for both kids and adults. It sounds like a fun and engaging way to boost counting skills and keep boredom at bay during the winter months. Thanks for sharing your experience and recommendations – they’re sure to be helpful for others looking to incorporate education into their family game nights. Keep having fun and learning through play!

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