23 Best History Board Games to Bring the Past to Life

As a homeschool mom, I’ve found that the best history board games turn abstract dates and events into stories kids can actually experience.

These games make lessons feel less like memorization and more like time travel, exploring ancient civilizations, key discoveries, and turning points like the American Revolution or World War II.

Whether you’re studying a specific era or just want to add some educational fun to family game night, these board games help kids see the past as something living, dynamic, and worth understanding.

Graphic showing 23 history board games for kids and families, including Oregon Trail, Axis & Allies, and Chronology, with bold title text.

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History Themed Board Games

History-themed board games invite players to step into the past through strategy, storytelling, and discovery.

From building civilizations to reenacting famous battles, these games combine learning with play in a way textbooks rarely can.

They’re a great fit for homeschool lessons or family game nights where curiosity and critical thinking come together naturally.

Trekking Through History

This one’s a favorite in our house because it feels like taking a field trip through time. You collect beautifully illustrated cards of real landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Wall of China while learning a fun fact about each. It’s easy to play, and my son loved how every turn felt like unlocking a new piece of history. It’s one of those rare games that works just as well for family game night as it does for a homeschool lesson.

Carry on reading for our Trekking through History review

Chronology

If your kids love trivia or timelines, Chronology turns that curiosity into a full game. You draw cards with major historical events and try to place them in order before your opponents. We’ve had a lot of laughs getting things completely out of sequence, then realizing how close or far off we were. It’s a simple but surprisingly effective way to reinforce what they’ve learned about world history.

This can also be played as a solo player card game in your history lessons.

Herstory: The Board Game of Remarkable Women

This one genuinely inspired some great conversations at home. Players collect cards featuring influential women—from scientists and activists to writers, and build a book celebrating their achievements. My son didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as he did, but it really opened his eyes to how much women have shaped history. It’s both empowering and educational, with just the right balance of strategy and storytelling.

Carcassonne Board Game

While Carcassonne isn’t a “history game” in the strict sense, its medieval setting is a fun way to talk about castles, roads, and the daily life of the Middle Ages. We like using it as a relaxed end-of-week game, it keeps kids thinking strategically without feeling like schoolwork. The fact that every game builds a different medieval landscape makes it great for imaginative discussion about European history and architecture.

You can read our Carcassonne review for more details.

Catan Histories: Settlers of America

If your kids already enjoy Catan, this version adds a fascinating historical twist. It’s set during the early days of American colonization, where players expand trade routes and build new cities across the continent. When we played it as part of our U.S. history unit, it helped make topics like westward expansion and settlement challenges feel far more real. It’s engaging enough for teens but still accessible for middle-grade learners.

Placing The Past

Placing the Past quickly became one of our go-to travel games. It’s small enough to toss in a bag, but it packs a great mental workout. You try to line up historical events in the right order, which always sparks conversations about what we’ve covered in history lessons. It’s light, fast, and surprisingly competitive, a good mix of learning and laughter.

Age of Civilization Strategy Card Game

This compact card game feels like a history class meets strategy challenge. Players build and advance civilizations while facing different world events each round. My son loves how every decision changes the path your civilization takes, sometimes you thrive, sometimes you fall apart. It’s a clever way to see how choices shape history, all in under half an hour.

History of the World

We save History of the World for weekends because it’s an epic game that spans centuries. You take command of entire civilizations and watch them rise and fall across different eras. It’s more advanced than most family games, but once we got into it, the storytelling aspect really clicked. Seeing how empires overlap visually on the board makes big historical shifts easier for kids to grasp.

Monopoly World War II We Are All In This Together

I wasn’t sure we needed another Monopoly edition, but this one surprised me. It uses real World War II locations and themes, which gave us an unexpected way to talk about wartime cooperation and sacrifice. The gameplay still feels familiar, but it sneaks in bits of history that stick, especially when kids start asking about the places on the board.

The Oregon Trail: Journey to Willamette Valley

This one is pure nostalgia if you ever played the computer game. My son and I both loved the challenge of keeping our wagon party alive, deciding whether to cross a river, hunt for food, or trade supplies. It’s funny and frustrating in equal measure, but it perfectly captures how difficult life was for pioneers. It quickly turned into a favorite for combining strategy, storytelling, and a dose of American frontier history.

7 Wonders Board Game

7 Wonders is one of those games that keeps growing with your family. When we first played, my son was mostly focused on building the biggest wonder, but now he’s more into strategy, trading, planning, and outsmarting me. It’s a great springboard for talking about ancient civilizations, architecture, and how different cultures achieved remarkable things with limited resources. Every round feels like creating your own version of world history.

Diplomacy Cooperative Board Game

We tried Diplomacy during a history unit on early 20th-century Europe, and it’s no exaggeration to say it taught more about alliances and betrayal than any textbook could. It’s definitely for older kids or teens since it involves deep negotiation and patience. After one game, my son completely understood why World War I alliances got so complicated, it’s a living lesson in trust and strategy.

Constitution Quest Game

This one became a surprising hit when we studied American government. You move around the board answering questions about the Constitution, and it’s a mix of trivia and strategy that makes civics feel approachable. It sparked good discussions about why certain laws exist and how they’ve changed over time. It’s perfect if you want something genuinely educational that still feels like a game.

Splendor

While Splendor isn’t strictly historical, we still use it as part of our Renaissance unit because it highlights trade, wealth, and craftsmanship. My son enjoys the balance of math and strategy, and it always leads to questions about real Renaissance merchants and the rise of cities like Florence. It’s quick, smart, and ideal for kids who like games that reward planning ahead.

This is one of the top board games for 10 year olds too!

Pandemic Fall of Rome

This cooperative version of Pandemic fits perfectly with ancient history studies. Instead of curing diseases, you’re defending the Roman Empire from invading tribes. It’s surprisingly educational, showing how internal pressures and external threats can lead to the fall of a civilization. What I love most is that it’s team-based, kids learn collaboration and problem-solving while absorbing bits of Roman history.

American Trivia Game

This one’s a classic for testing how much you really know about U.S. history. We pull it out around holidays like Presidents’ Day or the Fourth of July, and it always turns into friendly competition. The questions mix history, geography, and pop culture, so everyone gets a chance to shine. It’s great for family gatherings and sneaks in a surprising amount of learning without feeling like schoolwork.

Timeline Classic

Timeline Classic is small but brilliant, we keep it in a basket near the table for quick play breaks. You place historical events in the right order, which sounds easy until you mix up something like the invention of the lightbulb with the start of World War I. It’s fast-paced and funny, and every mistake turns into a short history chat. Perfect for reinforcing sequencing and historical perspective.

Imhotep Builder of Egypt

If your kids are fascinated by ancient Egypt, Imhotep is a must-try. You’re architects competing to construct pyramids, temples, and tombs, which fits beautifully alongside lessons on ancient civilizations. My son loved figuring out how to time his moves to earn the most points, and it gave us a reason to pull out our Egyptian history books afterward. It’s hands-on learning through strategy and storytelling.

Related: Hieroglyphics worksheets

Axis & Allies 1942 Second Edition WWII Strategy Board Game

This one takes some setup time, but it’s incredible for teens studying World War II. You control major powers, plan attacks, and manage resources, essentially stepping into the shoes of wartime leaders. It sparked some serious discussions in our house about strategy, geography, and the realities of global conflict. It’s one of the deepest history-based games you can play at home.

Related: Famous dictators worksheets

Cyclades

Set in ancient Greece, Cyclades mixes mythology with military strategy. Players build armies, summon creatures, and compete for dominance over the islands. We enjoyed using it as a light introduction to Greek culture and the idea of city-states. It’s not purely educational, but it definitely brings ancient Greece to life in a way that textbooks can’t.

1754 Conquest: The French and Indian War

This game fits perfectly with our early American history lessons. You play as either the French or the British, navigating alliances with Native American tribes and planning tactical moves across the colonies. It’s surprisingly immersive, every decision feels like it could change history. My son came away with a much clearer sense of how geography and alliances shaped the war’s outcome.

1775 Rebellion The American Revolution

We used 1775 Rebellion while studying the Revolutionary War, and it made that unit come alive. Players lead either the British or the American forces, managing troops and territories across the colonies. What I love most is that it highlights strategy and cooperation rather than just memorizing dates. It really helped Freddie understand how the war unfolded and why each side made the choices they did.

7 Wonders Architects

7 Wonders Architects is a streamlined version of the original, ideal for younger kids. You build your own ancient wonder in under half an hour, which makes it great for homeschool afternoons when you want something short but meaningful. It’s colorful, easy to learn, and a fun way to introduce the idea of ancient innovation and competition between civilizations.

How to Incorporate Historical Board Games into Your Homeschool

Using board games about history is a fantastic way to enhance your homeschool history curriculum and make learning more interactive.

These games bring historical periods to life, from ancient civilizations to pivotal events like World War II.

Whether it’s exploring historical landmarks, building timelines, or celebrating remarkable figures throughout history, these educational games offer diverse gameplay experiences.

Pairing these games with history books for kids provides a well-rounded understanding of key historical events and concepts.

By blending traditional resources with hands-on activities, you create a dynamic and immersive learning experience that not only captures your child’s interest but also deepens their historical knowledge.

These board games are also fantastic gifts for history lovers!

Last Updated on 21 October 2025 by Clare

History Themed Board Games

How to Incorporate Historical Board Games into Your Homeschool

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