by L.S. Watts

Created on: January 25, 2009   Last Updated: April 25, 2009

There are over 4,000 board games engineered for learning. More are being created annually. Granted, all games are educational in some way or another, but let's look at a few games that are specifically geared toward math, science, social studies, grammar, foreign language, and reading. Many of these games are geared toward children to help them in school, but adults can benefit from playing them as well. I have chosen a few of my family's favorite educational board games.

BUDGET GAME (Math)

Here is a game that teaches children to learn the benefits of planning a budget and sticking to it. The realities of real-life economics is taught with this game as each player makes investments, buys a home, buys insurance and much more. If the player's projected budget is correct, the player will receive a bonus on "pay day" which is at the end of each round. This game is designed for 2-4 players and children in grades 4-12.

TOTALLY TUT GAME (Math)

This game combines basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division as well as the order of operations. Players must trek across rows of pyramids by using numbers and operation triangles to solve correctly each math problem. It is designed for ages 4 and up and can be played by 2-4 players.

SPILL YOUR GUTS (Human Anatomy)

This science game focuses on human anatomy. Using the true or false cards, each student surgeon must answer the questions about the human body and its organ systems correctly to earn organs. The object of the game is to build the human body without "spilling the guts". If a player answers incorrectly, he or she must start over in rebuilding the organ systems. There are 11 organ pieces, a surgeon's table, and a plastic human body tray. This game is designed to be played by 1 or more players, and helps children ages 7 and up learn how the human body works.

THE INVENTION GAME (Science)

This is a new board game that includes pictures of a variety of wild, wacky and unusual inventions. Each player must write down what they think each invention does. Then one player reads off the list of guesses along with the real one. Player's must then decide which one is correct. However, the play cannot vote for the one they wrote. The player with the most voted guess will earn points. At the end of the game, the player with the most points wins. All of the inventions featured in this game are real and have patents on file. This game is best played with 3 or more players and designed for ages 12 to adults.

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