Best Science Board Games for Kids | STEM, Chemistry & Biology

This trivia-style game is perfect for competitive families. It has two difficulty levels—flyweight and heavyweight—so younger kids can challenge older siblings.

My son prefers playing at the harder level, especially when he wins! What makes this game stand out is its focus on STEM topics through video game-inspired questions, making it a screen-free alternative that still keeps kids hooked.

We’ve played it as a family, and it’s great for reinforcing science concepts in a fun way. The box says it's for older kids, but we’ve had no problem playing it with our 12-year-old.

Related: Grab our free science scattergories game

If your child enjoys puzzles and logic challenges, this game is a must-have. It’s all about filling hexagon patterns based on dice rolls, and with over 10,000 possible solutions, it never gets old.

My son loves racing against the clock to find the right placement, and it’s been a great way to encourage spatial reasoning and problem-solving. It’s challenging but not frustrating, which keeps it fun.

This game is a mix of engineering and logic puzzles, where kids build working roller coasters while solving design challenges. It’s one of our favorite hands-on STEM games because it blends creativity with problem-solving.

My son enjoyed figuring out why some coasters worked and others failed, and I loved watching him apply real physics concepts without realizing it.

The best part is that it’s engaging enough for both kids and adults, making it a great choice for family game nights.

A great pick for older kids, this game focuses on energy production and its environmental impact. It’s a fun (but eye-opening) way to introduce kids to real-world sustainability issues through gameplay.

We like it because it sparks important discussions while keeping things lighthearted and engaging.

My son enjoys the strategy behind balancing power needs with environmental consequences, and it’s led to some great conversations about how energy use affects our world.

This is another fast-paced puzzle game that we love playing solo or as a family. It’s similar to The Genius Gems but with more complex patterns and challenges. My son likes trying to beat his own time, and I appreciate how it keeps his brain engaged without needing a screen.

It’s the kind of game that doesn’t get boring because every round feels different, and the challenge level keeps up as kids get better at it.

Related: Find out more of our favorite one player games for kids too!

This game is a great introduction to ionic bonding. Players create neutrally charged compounds while learning about noble gases, anions, cations, and acids and bases. It’s fast-paced and works well as a one player card game too.

My son enjoys the challenge of figuring out the best combinations, and it reinforces key chemistry concepts without feeling like a lesson.

In this game, chemistry meets strategy as players build molecules while competing against each other. The fun twist? Opponents can launch acid attacks to break down molecules, keeping everyone on their toes.

My son loves the ninja theme, and it's been a great way to introduce chemical reactions in a way that actually sticks.

This educational board game brings the periodic table to life by turning it into a strategy game.

Instead of memorizing elements, players move across the table to collect and build compounds. It’s a great way to reinforce trends in atomic structure and reactivity.

We found that it helped make the periodic table feel less overwhelming because the gameplay encourages pattern recognition.

If you’ve ever struggled to explain how covalent bonds work, this game does the job. Players work together to build organic molecules from elements, using clues and deduction.

My son enjoys figuring out the correct combinations like a puzzle, and it’s a great introduction to organic chemistry without feeling too advanced.

This game is more of a logic and dexterity challenge but still fits well into a chemistry lesson. Players move colored molecules between test tubes, following specific patterns—without touching or dropping them. It’s been a great brain teaser, and I love that it reinforces fine motor skills and sequencing in addition to problem-solving.

This would make excellent educational gifts for children.

This is a fantastic pick for older kids ready to dive deeper into chemistry. Players build protons, neutrons, and electrons to form different elements, making it an excellent hands-on way to understand atomic structure.

Since it covers concepts found in high school chemistry, it’s a great option for reinforcing learning in a fun, interactive way.

This is an updated version of Science Ninja, and it’s just as fun. The gameplay is similar but with more challenges and a wider range of elements to work with. We love how competitive and strategic it is, which keeps my son engaged and learning without even realizing it.

Fluxx is known for its ever-changing rules, and this chemistry edition does not disappoint.

Players match elements to form compounds while navigating constantly shifting goals. What I love most is that the cards include real chemistry information, like atomic numbers and element groups, making it a fun way to reinforce learning.

Evolution is all about survival. Players create and adapt species using trait cards, helping them navigate a world where food is scarce and predators are always lurking.

My son enjoys experimenting with different traits—sometimes going full carnivore, sometimes stacking defensive traits to see if his species can survive. Since no two games play the same, it always feels fresh and challenging.

Related: Best science kits for teens

This strategy game dives into plant cell biology, making a complex topic more interactive.

Players manage water, light, and resources to simulate the growth of a plant at the cellular level. It’s an excellent choice for older kids who like strategic gameplay, and it has helped reinforce what my son has learned in biology lessons.

Related: Free life cycle of a plant worksheet

This board game takes a topic that can be dry—cell biology—and makes it surprisingly fun.

Players build enzymes, hormones, and receptors while working with proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and DNA.

My son prefers hands-on activities over textbook learning, so this has been a great way to help him visualize how cells function in a way that actually sticks.

Related: Human cell worksheets

Perfect for younger kids, this cooperative game introduces 25 edible and medicinal plants while exploring different ecosystems.

It doesn’t require any prior knowledge, making it a great first step into plant biology.

We’ve enjoyed playing this on nature-themed homeschool days, and it has sparked an interest in learning more about the plants we see outside.

This card game teaches players about biodiversity and how different species interact within an ecosystem. Strategy matters—building a balanced ecosystem is key to winning.

We love how this game encourages kids to think about real-world ecology, and it’s a great conversation starter about food chains, habitats, and environmental impact.

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Genotype is all about genetic experiments on pea plants, following Mendelian inheritance rules. Players roll dice that determine genetic traits, making each game different.

It’s a fantastic way to reinforce Punnett squares and genetics in a hands-on way. If you have a teen studying biology, this game is a great supplement.

This visually stunning game explores the life cycle of trees, from seedlings to full-grown forests. It’s simple enough for younger kids but still strategic enough to keep older kids engaged.

My son enjoys figuring out where to plant trees to get the most sunlight while planning for future growth, and it’s been a great way to reinforce environmental science topics.

Related: Best science books for kids

Operation is a fun and interactive way to introduce kids to human anatomy. Players carefully remove body parts like the funny bone and wishbone using tweezers, helping them develop fine motor skills while learning about different parts of the body.

It’s an engaging way to spark curiosity about how the human body works, and younger kids especially love the challenge of trying not to set off the buzzer.

This will be a great addition to these anatomy books for kids!