We are big game players in our homes! There is nothing like getting everyone together and playing a game. I have so many wonderful memories of family game nights and card game tournaments that always put a smile on my face.
We also are big believers in the power of educational games. Here is the top five list of our all-time favorite board games for language arts:
1. Scrabble
This game is a classic for a reason. This fun game mixes word study with strategy.
Skills practiced: word study, spelling
2. Bananagrams
Bananagrams is perfect for elementary aged learners as you race to use all of your letter tiles and place them in an intersecting word grid.
Skills practiced: word study, spelling
3. Codenames
Given a set of words, your team’s spymaster takes a turn in giving a one word clue. A clue might relate to multiple words in the set, but they are trying to get their team to guess all of the words that correspond to their particular team color.
Skills practiced: vocabulary, word categorization
4. Tapple
Given a topic card, the first player starts the timer. That player has ten seconds to think of a word that fits that topic and push down the corresponding first letter of that word. Similarly, each player has ten seconds to think of a new word that will fit the topic, using the remaining letters. If you cannot think of a word- you’re out! The last player remaining keeps the topic card. The most topic cards collected wins the game.
Skills practiced: vocabulary, word categorization
5. Apples to Apples
When the judge picks up a green topic card, the others in the group rush to hand in a red word card from their hand that most closely matches the green topic card. Earn points if the judge selects your card as the closest match.
Skills practiced: vocabulary, word categorization
Here is the top five list of our all-time favorite board games for math:
1. 24 Game
Given four numbers, add, subtract, multiply, or divide them to get the answer 24.
Skills practiced: arithmetic
2. Shut the Box
At the start of a game, the numbers 1-9 are face-up around the board. A player rolls 2 dice and adds to find the total. The players then turn over numbers that create the sum that was rolled. The player with the lowest score (numbers still face-up at the end of the game).
Skills practiced: addition, strategy, probability
3. Blokus
Given pentomino shapes, the player must place them on the board so that only corners of their colored pieces are touching. The goal is to place all of your piece on the board, but other players can block where your pieces can be laid.
Skills practiced: geometry, strategy
4. Qwixx
Given different colored dice, try to be the first to mark off as many sums on your scorecard as possible. Warning- this fast paced game is addictive!
Skills practiced: addition, strategy
5. Battleship
Try to guess where the other player has placed his or her battleships. This classic game requires strategy and just a little luck!
Skills practiced: coordinate grids, strategy
Make a habit out of making certain days game days. Keep your kids playing and reviewing their skills at the same time.
And who said learning couldn’t be fun?