Using hands-on learning manipulatives such as a board game is an easy way to get students to learn and have fun while doing it! Especially when it comes to a subject such as Science, understanding concepts can be tricky.
Here is a list of 15 board games for science class for students who want to brush up on their science skills or impress classmates with their science knowledge.
15 of the Best Games for Teaching Science
Science is pretty cool, but it’s even more exciting when there are games involved! Children learn better with memorable, hands-on learning experiences, which is exactly why games can be such an effective instruction tool
Our favorite board games for science class include:
- Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game for Kids
- Space Bingo
- STEM Family Battle
- Ion: A Compound Building Game
However, these are just a few of our top picks.
Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game for Kids
Ages 4-8 and Up
This game has waterfalls for frolicking, logs for jumping over… pretty much anything related to ecosystems and entertainment! Wildcraft! lets kids travel through several ecosystems and learn about 25 edible and medicinal plants.
Space Bingo Board Game
Ages 3 and Up
A fun and educational way to play Bingo and learn about Science. This game has six 6 picture boards, 42 informational cards, and bingo chips.
Blue Orange Games Planet Board Game
Ages 8 and Up
In Planet, you can take on the role of a super being and compete to design perfect worlds with ideal conditions for wildlife to flourish using drafting and tile placement mechanisms.
STEM Family Battle – Balanced Trivia Party Game
Ages 15 to Adult
STEM Family Battle loops science, technology, engineering and math into the realm of pop culture! It gives all things STEM a little bit of a modern, updated twist while keeping it fun for young adults, something that’s usually quite a challenge.
Bag O’ Bones Human Body Anatomy Educational Board Game, Skeleton Puzzle Science Learning Game
Ages 9 and Up
Children can learn the names and functions of the different bones in the human body with this body anatomy game.
Science Ninjas: Valence Card Game- Advanced Chemistry + Simple Rules + Ninjas!
Ages 12 and Up
Valence is a card game where you assemble teams of Science Ninjas to build new molecules out of elements to earn points and win.
Ion: A Compound Building Game
Ages 8 and Up
Learn chemistry by playing Ion, a science game where players build neutral compounds with ions. This is called ionic bonding in chemistry class.
Periodic: A Game of The Elements Game Ages 10 and Up
Play Periodic, a science game in which players collect elements by moving across the periodic table.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Rock Bingo Game – Play Rock Bingo, Mineral Memory, Gemstone Trivia, & Card Games, Collection Includes Over 150 Rocks and Minerals
Ages 8 and Up
It’s time for some fun STEM! This game has rock bingo, mineral memory, gem-tac-toe, trivia, and a full deck of playing cards that can be used as flashcards.
Ecosystem – A Family Card Game about Animals, their Habitats, and Biodiversity
All ages
This game teaches students about the beauty of biological variety within our ecosystems by building ecosystems of wild animals such as bears, foxes, and rabbits, in environments such as streams, forests, and meadows.
MindWare Science Trivia Challenge Game
Ages 8 and Up
During the game, players confront three different types of scientific challenges. Every correct response earns an observation token, and players keep their points a secret until the end of the game.
Cellulose: A Plant Cell Biology Game
Ages 14 and Up
Plant Cells is a worker placement board game about plant cells. Players construct cell walls, carbohydrates, and hormones and use proteins, CO2, water, ATP, and chloroplasts.
Cytosis: A Cell Biology Game
Ages 10 and Up
Just like in biology, players prepare enzymes, hormones, receptors, and manipulate proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and DNA or mRNA while learning cell biology in a board game!
1993 Nobel Prize Concept | Splicing Board Game | Science, Strategy, Fun Game
Ages 8 and Up
The game is played in two phases. In the first phase, players collect splicing scissors. In the second phase, players collect protein cards to cut the intron, connecting the exon to mRNA. In each phase, players can trade cards with others or try to sabotage one another’s splicing.
Peptide: A Protein Building Game
Ages 10 and Up
You can learn biology by playing a game where you build peptide chains by combining amino acids.
Conclusion
Playing board games is not only a great way to learn but can also be just the time way needed from technology, screen time, and classroom instruction and just have some good ole fashion fun!