A classroom science lesson or a fun science board game, which would make learning more fun? The board games of course!
Science board games can teach kids all about the natural world around them. From space to biology there’s so much science can teach us. Take a look at these best board games to teach kids science.
🏆 Our Top Picks for Best Science Board Games
In a hurry? Take a quick peek before you go.
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Science Games For Younger Kids:
Get a jump start on science knowledge with these fun younger kids’ science board games. Focusing on general topics about science, these games are targeted at younger players to introduce them to broad terms, facts, and ideas.
Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game
Players: 1–4
Playing time: 45-60 mins
A herbal adventure board game.
Wildcraft! Is a wonderful board game for younger kids because it’s easy to play but is still full of adventure, fun, and strategy. It’s also great for younger kids because there’s no reading required, just illustrations and matching icons.
In this board game, children learn all about plants: what they look like and how they can be beneficial. Taking kids on an exciting quest through many ecosystems, they’ll cross logs, slide down waterfalls, and wander along deer trails.
Wildcraft will have kids learning about the power of plants and nature while developing their cooperative and problem-solving skills.
Qurious Space: Family Card Game
Players: 1-18
Playing time: 10-30 mins
Are you ready to explore the galaxy and beyond? This is the ultimate extraterrestrial family card game!
Qurious Space: The Family Card Game has kids explore, match, quiz, and spin. With 90 double-sided play cards, they’ll learn about space, science, and even NASA facts.
In this educational card game for the whole family, players can explore question/answer cards, quickly match explore cards, and even have a quiz. There are many components to suit the style of play your child enjoys most. Also, with different levels of difficulty, the game can be adjusted to age and skills.
An added benefit is that this game has a high number of players and fast gameplay so you can keep many kids entertained all at once making it perfect for the classroom!
Virulence: An Infectious Card Game
Players: 2–5
Playing time: 10-20 mins
An infectious card game that’ll teach kids all about biology.
Virulence: An Infectious Card Game helps teach children about viruses. Taking on the role of a virus, you’ll learn about cells, and hosts and replicate your viral components. Although the game may sound a bit advanced, it’s easy to learn while players bid to compete for the best Virus Cards. The highest virulence wins the most points.
What would be a science and biology lesson, is now a fun game for kids to play.
Cytosis: A Cell Biology Game
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 60-90 mins
Build the fundamental components of life!
Staying in the world of biology, Cytosis: A cell Biology Game mixes strategy with accurate science. Learn all about cell biology while you build receptors, enzymes, and hormones. Players can also play with DNA and mRNA like they would in a biology class.
Although there’s a strong biological theme, Cytosis is also a strategic worker placement game. Like placing workers, players direct their cells to available organelles and must collect enough resources. Earn healthy points and win!
The science vocabulary and concepts are a bit more advanced so this game is wonderful for learners with a background in introductory biology.
Subatomic: An Atom Building Game
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 40-60 mins
The science is accurate and strategy is needed. Can you build elements?
Subatomic: An Atom Building Game includes actual concepts from physics to chemistry. Dive into the subject of physics learning about different types of particles.
Subatomic is essentially a deck-building game in which players start with photons and quarks. Using these cards, they’ll try to build more powerful cards to win. This is a great educational game as it explains the meaning of each card and what the elements are that you are trying to create. Subatomic also has bonus cards that’ll teach you about famous scientists.
Science Games For Older Kids and Teens
If your older kids are showing an interest in science these board games are a fantastic addition to their knowledge. They are educational while still being fun, giving teens an entertaining way to become enthusiastic about their studies!
Ecosystem
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 15 mins
Do you have what it takes to build your own ecological network?
Ecosystem is a biologically derived game of card drafting. Although this is a science game, players will learn ecology and the necessary balance needed in an ecosystem. With many different wild animals, such as rabbits, bears, eagles, and foxes — diversity and sustainability are key.
Ecosystem uses fundamental science that’s true to our world’s ecosystems to teach about predators and prey along the food chain. Create a beautifully diverse ecosystem and see their habits flourish!
Terraforming Mars
Players: 1-5
Playing time: 120 mins
“Coming to Mars was a big step. Making it habitable will give us a new world.”
Terraforming Mars shows us a glimpse of what it could take to transform a new planet. Corporations, resources, cities, and of course, breathable air will lead the way to a habitable environment. But be warned, emigrating to a new planet is even harder than it seems.
In this board game, you play as a corporation and players must work together throughout the process. However, there’s also a competitive element. You’ll compete for victory points if you complete commendable tasks.
With an accurate map of Mars, older kids can look into the future of science and tame the Red Planet.
Dominant Species
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 120-240 mins
It’s 90,000 B.C.E. and the great ice age is near. Which dominant species will reign supreme?
Dominant Species is a prehistoric-themed game that’ll teach teens about the Middle Paleolithic Era just before the ice age. Adapting species to the ever-changing world, players take on one of six major animal classes. Amphibians, birds, reptiles, arachnids, and insects.
From the get-go, you’ll have to place your species in as many terrains as possible in this contest of survival of the fittest. As species accurately had to, players will adapt, migrate and advance speciation.
A science game focusing on prehistoric species is a brilliant educational tool to teach kids about just a sliver of vast prehistory.
Wingspan
Players: 1-5
Playing time: 40-70 mins
If you have teens showing interest in birds, Wingspan is a great gaming choice.
Playing as bird enthusiasts, Wingspan has players learn about birds in their quest to discover and attract the best birds to their aviary. In this competitive board game, you’ll build your networks to preserve wildlife with powerful combinations in your habitat.
Balancing birds, eggs, and enough bird feeders will show how well your aviary has grown. With beautiful drawings of 170 unique birds, kids can learn all about the most stunning birds in the world.
Evolution
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 60 mins
When the changing ecosystem seems like it’s against you, evolving becomes a matter of life and death.
In Evolution, players must adapt their species to ward off predators in an ever-changing ecosystem. With limited resources and carnivores on the prowl, you’ll have to evolve your traits to protect yourself. A trait like horns or a hard shell could save you from extinction.
Evolution has over 12,000 species included, giving this game high replayability and the chance to learn something new every time you play. The beautifully drawn artwork takes you on a vivid adventure through a species evolution.
If you enjoy Evolution, luckily there are other games in the series, Evolution Climate, and Evolution Oceans can expand your knowledge further of evolutionary biology.
Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best board games to teach kids science! As an avid lifelong board gamer, I can attest to the educational power of board games and the love of learning that they foster in young children. Learning while playing is one of the most effective ways to instill information as well as cultivate curiosity!
Do your kids enjoy science? Let us know the top science game your kids love to play! Drop a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
You may also be interested in our Best Math Board Games, check out the video below:
Kendra has always been a hardcore fantasy nerd. Growing up in the worlds of Tolkien, Sanderson, Jordan, and Abercrombie, DnD & board games just came naturally. She and her husband, Bryan, started GameCows.com in 2018 as a fun passion project that just took over their lives. An avid board gamer since childhood and chronic DnD chronicler for more than two decades, she loves to play, write, travel, and learn dead languages.