When my kids are playing board games with us, they are having so much fun they don’t even realize they are learning. This is one of my favorite benefits of family game nights. I’ve noticed my kids are pretty good at remembering information they learned while playing, which is awesome! I’d rather play a board game or card game with them than doing flash cards!
Here are several fun and educational game suggestions to teach kids geography, history, and other facts about the U.S.
The Scrambled States of America
The Scrambled States of America board game by Gamewright is based on the book by Laurie Keller. This game helps kids learn states’ names, capitals, shapes, and locations. Players try to collect the most state cards by matching them to the scramble challenges.
Ticket to Ride: First Journey
Ticket to Ride by Days of Wonder is a favorite at our house. For younger children, we recommend Ticket to Ride: First Journey. It’s shorter and a little more streamlined than the full Ticket to Ride games, which makes it a great way to introduce kids and families to this series. Players collect cards in matching colors to claim train routes. Kids learn some geography as they build routes between various cities across the U.S.
Brain Box: All Around the USA
All Around the USA from MindWare is a quick and portable game that teaches kids about state capitals, famous landmarks, and U.S. geography. I like that kids can play this game solo or with others. There are 55 cards featuring individual states, territories, and regions. Players choose a card from the box and look at the front for 10 seconds. Then roll the die and answer that question listed on the back. If you get it right, you win the card!
Trekking the National Parks
We’ve been playing Trekking the National Parks by Underdog Games quite a bit recently. This game requires more strategy than some of our other suggestions, but it is a fantastic choice for kids and adults alike. Younger kids may need some help during their turn. Players move around the board visiting National Parks and trying to collect park cards and stones. Kids will learn where the National Parks are located and interesting facts on the park cards. When we play this game, we read the information on the park card aloud after claiming it.
Sequence: States & Capitals
The popular Sequence series of games has one featuring U.S. states and capitals. Kids will learn the state capitals and how to identify states by their shape while playing this strategic game. Players must match their state cards to the same state, color, and shape on the board and place a chip on it. Get five chips in a row to win!
Professor Noggin’s Card Games
The Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games for kids helps them learn interesting facts by answering trivia, true or false, and multiple choice questions. They have the following games: History of the United States, American Revolution, and Geography of the United States. Get the one your child is the most interested in or stock up on all of them for fun games to have on hand as they learn these subjects in school.
Timeline Challenge
Timeline Challenge by Asmodee is a card game where players try to place historical events in the correct order. Kids will learn about various historical events and when they happened chronologically, making this the perfect game for aspiring history buffs.
Game of the States
Game of the States by Winning Moves is a board game where players travel across the country buying goods from one state and selling them to another. Kids will learn geography as well as facts about each state. The state cards include the state name, products produced, state flower, state bird, and a STEM fact.
Mapominoes USA
Mapominoes USA by Wild Card Games takes the classic game of dominoes and gives it a geographical twist. Kids will learn U.S. geography as players connect states by common borders. This is a fun option for kids who also like to use visual learning tools.
Flag Frenzy USA
Flag Frenzy USA by GeoToys is a fast paced card game all about flags from U.S. states and territories. Each card has eight flags on it and every two cards only have one flag in common. Be the quickest to spot the matching flags to win! Kids will begin to recognize and identify U.S. state and territory flags.
These games make teaching kids about America fun for the whole family. It never hurts to brush up on your history and geography knowledge! They are a great addition to the classroom as well as to family game night. Have you played any of these before?