Family game night can be fun and educational. Here are 16 science board games that teach important concepts about the natural world in intuitive ways that you simply can’t get from a textbook. Even more, games teach systems thinking, a critical skill in today’s complex world.
We offer our hearty thanks to Bonnie S. for her recommendations. Her collection far outstrips ours!
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Agriculture
Agricola
What was life like for 17th century farmers? Your students will find out for themselves as they take on the responsibilities of a small farming household, raising wood, grain, fiber, and animals to supply the needs of a growing family. A challenging and thought-provoking game.
1–4 players (w/ an extension to support 5–6)
Ages 12+
Bohnanza
An Eyk family favorite. It’s more silly than science, but this game teaches probability, planning, negotiation, and most crucially, the importance of bearing fruit! Players take on the role of bean farmers specializing in just a few of a colorful (and silly) panoply of bean varieties. The larger your crop the greater the reward, but the greater risk of missing out on a better opportunity.
2–7 players
Ages 10+
Astronomy
Solarquest
If your kids can play Monopoly, they can play Solarquest and learn about the Solar System at the same time. It’s a lot more interesting and fun than Monopoly, too!
2–8 players
Ages 8+
Biology & Zoology
Wildlife Bingo
A fun twist on the usual Bingo formula. Young kids quickly learn to identify common North American wildlife on sight.
2+ players
Ages 3+
The Bears & the Bees
This one’s less about learning, but the beautiful art and compelling gameplay will keep your family coming back to this simple tile-laying game, and can spur conversations about ecological relationships between flowers, bees, and bears.
2–5 players
Ages 7+
Genotype: A Mendelian Genetics Game
Join Gregor Mendel on his monastery grounds and help him as he breeds pea plants and unlocks the secrets of genetics.
1–5 players
Ages 8+
Peptide
Learn about cell biology by translating DNA and mRNA to build peptide chains from amino acids—don’t worry, it’s a lot more fun than Biology class!
2–5 players
Ages 10+
Ecosystem
Build your own ecosystem in this deceptively simple card drafting game where you have to arrange multiple habitats and species to form the most advantageous networks between living things. Highly recommended.
2–6 players
Ages 14+
Wingspan
Play as ornithologists attracting birds to your wildlife preserve in this breathtakingly beautiful and relaxing game.
1–5 players
Ages 14+
Chemistry
Science Ninjas: Valence
Assemble a team of elemental ninjas to build molecules—and learn advanced chemistry concepts along the way! “If you can add to 0, you can play Valence.”
2–4 players
Ages 8+
Covalence
A cooperative game about covalent bonding in organic molecules. A high school or college level topic that kids as young as 8 can understand through compelling gameplay.
2+ players
Ages 8+
Periodic
A strategy game played out on the Periodic Table of Elements. Teaches important concepts in chemistry through fun game mechanics.
2–5 players
Ages 10+
Horticulture
Wildcraft!
An herbal adventure game that requires no reading ability. Clear illustrations help kids quickly learn to identify common medicinal plants and their uses.
1–4 players
Ages 4+
Math
Math Rush
This series of cooperative games will help your students master mental math for addition & subtraction; fractions, decimals, & percentages; and multiplication & exponents. Your kids may elect this game to take the place of drills and flashcards.
1–5 players
Ages 8+
Prime Climb
Practice multiplication and division and master important concepts like primes, factors, and the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic—all while having a ton of fun.
2–4 players
Ages 10+
Public Health
Pandemic
A fun, yet punishingly difficult cooperative game that will keep your family coming back for “just one more try”. Sure to stoke conversations about real life epidemics and the health professionals who work to prevent them.
2–4 players
Ages 8+
