Fun & Educational Board Games for Kids: Learn and Play
Explore the world of educational board games for kids, combining fun and learning. Find top games, their benefits, and suitability for young minds.
Written by
Máté Lencse
Educator, game designer,
founder of PlayWise
Why listen to him?
Máté has been regularly playing modern board games and classic abstract board games since 2013. He plays because he loves to. He plays because as an educator, it is his most important motivational and developmental tool. He plays because as a father, it is one of the highest quality times spent with his daughter. He plays because it adds to his marriage. He plays to get to know games and as a game designer, to be able to create new ones. Thus, it's not surprising that he often plays through 15-20 games weekly. Learn more about him and his background on his author page or follow him on social media:
As a parent, grandparent, and educator, it's a challenge to find board games that cater to a child's specific interests. It's challenging because it requires knowledge of two things: the child and board games. Without understanding both, the formula doesn't work. However, I think the energy invested is worth it because if we do find the right game, we can unlock a world of fun and learning. But it's also a challenge because as soon as we find something, the child's tastes, interests, and knowledge can change rapidly, so we must engage in a process and be present in constant change.
We might think that simply checking the age recommendation on a board game box is enough, but this is just a starting point. Anyone who has observed children closely knows that no two 6-year-olds are alike. As a game designer, I understand that while age recommendations are well-thought-out, they are often subjects of debate and typically serve as safety measures. Thus, a game recommended for ages 6 and up is certainly playable with 6-year-olds, but it might also work well for many 4-5-year-olds. However, this is not a golden rule.
Making a decision requires much more information, which is why I usually recommend purchasing at a specialized board game store, where all your questions can be answered and many games can be tested. Watching videos, reading forums, and asking for recommendations are also great strategies. If choosing a board game with developmental goals in mind, we need to know what each game develops, and this information isn’t always on the box. However, if you manage to find one or two games that the child likes and you are satisfied with the developmental impact, then the type of game, game mechanics, theme, publisher, and designer will lead us to many more suitable additions to our collection.
On the BoardGameGeek website, the board game listings not only include the official age recommendation but also community-based recommendations that reflect actual experiences.
Imagine, a quality gaming session isn't just about what works for the child, what they enjoy, or what they like. Adults often overlook the fact that they too are key players in the gaming situation. Nobody enjoys playing with a bored parent. Neither as a parent nor as an educator is it a good strategy to play out of obligation. Choose board games that we also enjoy; our motivation can inspire the child to build on their skills and they won't lose their enthusiasm, nor will we miss out on a gamified learning opportunity.
Exciting Games for Kids
If you'd like to read more about what kinds of children's games can also be exciting for adults, click here.
I'm not saying that everyone likes board games, but it's worth a try. Many people avoid them due to bad experiences from childhood, linked to a few poor gaming experiences. The board game market, including children's games, has evolved tremendously, and it's worth taking a look. Even after all this, it's possible that someone may not find the right board game for them. I believe in the shared experience, not just in board games. For me, board games provide a quality shared experience, but I find searching for that more important and recommend the same to others.
The educational impact of board games is incredibly multifaceted. You don't have to think specifically of educational games; it's worth choosing from the everyday board games that line the shelves of game stores. Just consider that every board game requires following rules. You have to understand a set of rules, accept them, and operate within them. This, for example, is a very transferable skill.
Board Game Education
If you would like to delve deeper into the educational impact of board games, I recommend reading the following compilation page.
I often say that board games can develop anything; you just have to find the right game. Competitive games create numerous situations where ethical decisions are necessary, while cooperative games, for example, extend responsibility—both can contribute to moral education. But many games are suitable for practicing pattern recognition, which is essential for mathematics or coding. And now, I've managed to give 2-3 quite different examples.
On The Developmental Impact Of Board Games
In this article, I analyzed the developmental impacts of two board games (No Thanks!, Modern Art). The focus is not so much on the two games themselves, but on the attitude with which I approach the developmental opportunities inherent in games.
Developing strategic thinking, practicing decision-making, and understanding cause-and-effect relationships are all incredibly useful and important areas that are well-supported when we frequently play board games with children. But if I had to highlight just one thing, it would be learning to learn. The continuous practice and experimentation provided by board gaming incorporate a wealth of experiences that can facilitate very valuable learning processes during play. And we do all this while having fun, which is perhaps the best part of it all.
