From new favorites to old-school classics, these board games provide hours of family fun, and they have real educational value too.
We picked six of our favorite educational board games for each age group, from preschoolers to high school students. But of course, there’s a whole world of amazing games out there, so be sure to leave us a comment and let us know which games you love for family fun and learning.
Educational Board Games for Early Learners and Preschoolers
Hisss (2-5 players, age 3+) This simple card game asks players to build snakes using a stack of cards that includes heads, middles, and tails. As players complete their snakes and tally up their score, they’re practicing color and pattern recognition, logic, and basic counting skills.
Memory (2 or more players, age 3+) Sometimes called Concentration, there are hundreds of versions of this classic game, all with the same basic concept. Players take turns flipping over cards and attempt to find matching pairs. As you might guess, the game can help kids build concentration and memory skills, and practice logic and planning. Variations on the game that use numbers, math problems, or sight words can also help build skills in these areas.
Zingo! (2-9 players, age 4+) In this variation on Bingo, kids match pictures and words as they try to fill their card and be the first to shout “Zingo!” The game can help kids improve vocabulary and reading skills, matching, and memory.
Hoot Hoot Owl (2-4 players, age 4+) Much like the classic children’s game Candyland, this game is a good choice for pre-readers, since gameplay relies only on color matching. Unlike similar games however, the goal of this one is cooperation, not competition. Rather than a race to the finish, players must work together to get all their owls back to the nest before sunrise. The game encourages color practice, strategy, and social skills development.
HiHo! Cherry-O (2-3 players, age 3+) As they compete to be the first to pick all the fruit off their trees, kids are practicing number recognition, counting, addition, and subtraction skills.
Twister (2-4 players, age 6+) This classic game is a great way to get kids up and moving! Requiring no reading, it’s a fun way to practice colors and body awareness, as well as great reinforcement for kids who are just learning right from left.
Educational Board Games for Elementary School Kids
Cranium Cadoo (2 or more players, age 7+) In this kid-friendly version of the family favorite, Cranium, kids act, sketch, sculpt, crack codes, and solve puzzles. What a fun way to get kids thinking, creating, and laughing! This game is also easy enough for younger kids, but not too boring for adults or older siblings.
What’s Gnu? (2-6 players, age 5-8) This is a fun game for new readers, and a great confidence builder. Kids create words using the letter cards and build reading, word recognition, vocabulary, and spelling skills.
Uno (2-10 players, age 7+) Here’s an “oldie but goodie” card game that the whole family can enjoy! Younger kids can play with a partner, and practice number and color recognition. Older kids will be practicing strategizing and planning, and at the end of the game, they can add up everyone’s points for some addition practice.
Blokus (2-4 players, ages 5+) This game is appropriate for kids as young as 5, but is equally challenging and enjoyable for adults. It was named a Mensa Select Game, a distinction that means it’s original, challenging, and well-designed. While it doesn’t teach traditional subjects like math and English, it’s a great abstract strategy game that encourages spatial thinking and creativity.
Bananagrams (2-4 players, age 8+) Players race against each other to build a crossword grid and use up all their tiles. Kids will be practicing spelling and vocabulary skills.
Checkers and Chess (2 players, age 8+) – These two games have been around for thousands of years, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re fun and challenging! Teach your kids to play checkers, and when they’re older, chess, and they’ll be building essential skills like predicting cause and effect, strategy and planning, and reason and logic.
Educational Board Games for Middle School and High School Students
Settlers of Catan (3-4 players, age 10+) In this popular strategy game, players collect resources, like bricks and lumber, and build roads, settlements and cities. Players plan and strategize, and learn resource-management skills.
Taboo (4 or more players, age 12+) Players must think creatively and stretch their vocabulary and descriptive skills in this fun party game, as they attempt to get teammates to guess a secret word.
Apples to Apples (4 or more players, age 12+) Another Mensa Select game, Apples to Apples encourages fast, creative thinking. For older kids and teens, it’s good practice for learning to compare different things and form analogies. For the younger set, there’s also an Apples to Apples Jr.
Scattergories (2-6 players, 12+) Another classic party game, Scattergories encourages players to think creatively as they brainstorm words to fit into certain categories. With some categories more obscure than others, players will have to stretch their vocabularies if they hope to win!
Balderdash (2 or more players, age 12+) In this bluffing game, players try to fool each other by writing convincing answers to questions. Players must write their answers in an authoritative style, and use their reading and logic skills in order to fool others and distinguish the real answer from the fake.
Scrabble (2-4 players, age 8+) Of course, no list of educational games would be complete without the classic crossword game! Players must think creatively and use their vocabulary and spelling skills as they form words and compete for points.
17 More Board Games for Family Game Night
Whether your kids are at home or in the classroom (or if their classroom is in your home) there are a plethora of ways, including board games, to make learning fun. If you are looking to become further involved in your student’s learning and would like to inquire about the different ways K12 online public school makes learning fun, we invite you to contact the enrollment team at (877) 895-1754 or request a free information kit.
Find more reviews of educational toys, games, and crafts for kids, here.