Favorite Science Games

National Geographic: Rock & Mineral Game Set

For our rock and mineral study, we used the National Geographic Rock and Mineral Game Set. The set includes a bingo, reference cards, and 150 samples matching the rocks printed on the cards.

Animals

Planet

Fun and easy to learn, this game is all about creating the best planet to sustain life for the creatures that are available. A 3D tile builder, choose terrain cards that attach to your planet (magnetic backing) to build the most livable planet.

Animal cards have terrain requirements. Fulfill the requirements with the most space and win the animal.

Evolution

Evolution is a game best played with older kids who can focus on a game for around 45 minutes. My ten-year-old is just starting to feel comfortable sitting for this length of time, but your child may do so at a younger age. The goal of the game is to get the most points (food tokens) by managing the food supply of your species. If your species does not have food, or becomes food, their species can die out. Giving traits to your animals can give them a greater chance at survival. This may be in the form of more armor or collaboration with other species. Once you understand the rhythm of the game, it is generally an easy game for children that requires some thought and strategy.

Extinction

Extinction is a card game that focuses on surviving longer than your opponents. Grow your dinosaur through feeding and avoid getting eaten by throwing your opponent’s food source their way. A quick, fun, and simple game for those afternoons when you need something easy.

I Saw it First! Jungle

Sometimes simple is the way to go! Be the first to spot the animal and get the animal card. Learn to notice the differences between different kinds of birds, snakes, monkeys, and more in this Jungle study.

I Saw it First! Ocean

Another I Saw it First! Still a favorite. Having more than one is great because you can 1. switch the games out as you become familiar with the boards (If you have a better memory than we do! The boards are double-sided and we have never been able to memorize where things are) and 2. Bring a familiar game in at the end of a week when studying a new topic. No need to learn a new set of rules!

Ocean Bingo

Much the same as the I Saw It First! games, the bingo games come in many forms. We currently only have Ocean Bingo because I wanted to test it out before investing in more, but these games are worth it. It comes with bingo boards, a bag for caller to pull animals, and a large bingo board for the caller to keep track of what animals have been picked. High-quality printing makes these bingo games worth it as they will certainly last for years.

Match a Leaf: A Tree Memory Game

Match trees to their leaves! A great introduction to the world of palmate and pinnate leaves and how to recognize the difference between trees. Find a deeper review and accompanying worksheets here.

Match a Track

Match animals to their footprints. A helpful guide for those who are interested in tracking and identifying animals. There are obviously exotic animals, like big wild cats and elephants, but also tracks that you may run into, like coyotes and peacocks. There is a second edition to this game we will be adding to the lesson plans this year that identifies more common animals to North America like squirrels, snakes, and badgers. If you are interested in lesson plans on tracking and the resources we used, click here.

Match a Pair of Birds

Did you know that male and female birds widely differ in appearance when from the same family? Matching a pair of birds will help your students build confidence in identifying birds. Some animals are easily found in North America, like the cardinal and owl, and some animals, like ostriches, may only be found when traveling abroad. A fun and engaging way to get students to pay attention to details. Find a deeper review and accompanying worksheets here.

Wingspan

This is a LARGE game, but it is quite beautiful. It barely fits on our table!

The goal of the game is to attract the most beneficial birds to your ecosystem. Now with expansions that include birds from around the globe, Wingspan really does showcase the variety and beauty of the avian world. My oldest son loves this game, but keep in mind- it does take some time to set up and put away.

Nature Fluxx

Qurious Space

Qurious Space is essentially a trivia game similar to Professor Noggin games but offers a bit more. These flashcards have questions on their reverse side, a “spin” game that can be played solo or with friends and a matching game like Spot it! Packed in a sturdy tin that is small enough to pop in your purse, this game is great for travel. It even comes with some cool stickers!

Professor Noggin: Wildlife Safari (Card Game #14)

Professor Noggin: Reptiles and Amphibians (Card Game #13)

Poop Tracks

A fan favorite (and not just because there is the word poop in the name). In this game, you aim to build a complete scene that includes the animal, its tracks, and its scat/poop.

There is a bit of luck involved as a spinner dictates if you take a card, lose a turn, or can steal from another player. If your kids are mature enough to maintain their emotions when playing these directly competitive games, it is really a fast and fun experience.