Good Board Games for Learning
Many experts will tell you that board games can increase many skills that help kids perform better in school. These games can not only be educational but they also increase the value of family time.
Games for Preschoolers
Memory is a game for 2 or more players ages 3 and up. There are numerous versions of this game around but the basic concept is the same. Players each take their turn flipping cards over to try and find matching pairs. The game is ideal for teaching kids memory skills and concentration as well as logic. There are some game variations that use numbers or math problems as well.
Hoot Hoot Owl is a game for 2-4 players ages 4 and up. This game resembles a classic game called Candyland. The object of Hoot Hoot Owl is to move all the owls from the start line to the nest before the sun comes up. The cards are all color coordinated so kids definitely learn their colors. The game also teaches kids how to play together and how to cooperate with each other.
Games for Elementary School Students
Cranium Cadoo is a game for 2 or more players ages 7 and up. There is a family version of this game called Cranium but this game is kid-friendly. This version has funny activities that get kids laughing, thinking and creating. Children will do things like solve puzzles, act and crack codes.
Blokus is a game for 2-4 players ages 5 and up. The board has colored pieces that get moved around. You cannot place one of your pieces adjacent to any of your other pieces and pieces must be touching at least one corner of another piece. This game teaches kids creativity and spatial thinking.
Games for Middle School and High School Students
Scattergories is a game for 2-6 players ages 12 and up. This game encourages kids to think creatively as they think of words to put into specific categories.
10 Days in Africa is a game for 2-4 players ages 10 and up. This game has no pieces and is played on a huge board. The goal of the game is to travel from Mauritania to Madagascar by plane, vehicle or foot. It provides the ideal opportunity to learn about the African geography.
What is your favorite board game for learning?
Scattergories is SO much fun. This is a great list.
I’m an adult I still love playing Memory. It’s fun, and well it does help the mind stay sharp.
My kids love games! Score for games that help them learn!
These are good board games for learning. We have several of them.
Using games for fun and learning is a winner – I grew up with board games – and as my son was growing up we played together with our family – very cool games that are out now, too!
These look like a really good selection of games geared toward fun and education. Thanks for the list.
I love playing games. Boggle and Memory are my faves, my kids try to get me to play all the time, they love spelling and learning games too!
Nothing like a good board game to teach your kids; what a great selection!
My daughter is completely uninterested in finding the pair in Memory. We have several Disney versions of Memory. She finds her favorite and loves it. I need to try it again.
Gosh! I haven’t played a good board game in years. This looks great
This is an awesome list! Huge fan of Scattergories and Blokus. I may not be a kid anymore, but I still love these games.
My kids love board games in fact we love to bring them when we travel. It saves us entertainment dollars and also keeps our family connected.
We have several of these games ourselves. They are a great way to play and learn.
I always loved memory games as a kid. Love the old school squares.
Board games are great for the family! We have game night and enjoy trying new games, it helps the kids pick some new skills up while we all have fun
I love board games that teach as well as entertain. These all look great.
I forgot about Scattegories. That’s one game we don’t have. I think I’ll pick one up.
I love games like this! Might as well learn something while you’re playing!
I have never played any of these games. They sound fun though 🙂
Memory is a classic. We still play it, often with our own deck of cards. It’s amazing what you can do with just a simple deck of cards. When kiddo was young we played a lot of Candyland.
I love playing Memory with the kids. I am going to check out the other games that you have listed in your post.