47 Best Educational Board Games For K-12 (2024)

Educational board games are the best way to combine fun and learning!

In our homeschool journey, board games have become an essential tool for teaching.

For over seven years now, we’ve incorporated them into our daily lessons, turning what could be seen as “just playing” into valuable learning moments.

Board games have a special way of engaging kids in critical thinking, problem-solving, and even social skills, all while they’re having a blast.

That’s why I wanted to share our favorite learning board games.

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

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Best educational board games

These games are more than just entertaining; they’re designed to develop key academic skills in subjects like math, reading, and science, without kids even realizing they’re learning!

With so many options out there, it can be hard to know where to start. So, I’ve made it easy by organizing the games into different subjects. Whether you’re looking to reinforce math facts or explore the world of science, there’s a game on this list that fits the bill.

At last count, we’ve tested over 47 different educational board games! But the list is always growing, so if you know of a great game that’s not mentioned here, feel free to drop it in the comments below, I’d love to check it out and add it to the collection.

These games have transformed our homeschool days, and I’m confident they’ll bring the same joy and learning to your home or classroom too.

Math board game ideas

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

These educational family 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. These board games make your math homeschool curriculum 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.

These games enhance vocabulary, spelling, and critical thinking skills while providing hours of entertainment. Plus they are a great way to have fun with your homeschool spelling curriculum!

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 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. They are a perfect addition to any homeschool geography curriculum too!

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.

Plus they make your homeschool history curriculum a little more fun!

Strategy education board games

The best strategy board games for families 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 and a great hands on way to add to our favorite homeschool civics curriculum!

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.

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

Last Updated on 26 September 2024 by Clare Brown

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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