Board Games

Board games represent a versatile, accessible, and effective tool for modern education. When thoughtfully selected and implemented, they create engaging learning environments where students develop knowledge and skills through enjoyable, interactive experiences. 

If you’d like to learn more about the theory behind this approach, you can read about game-based learning in general or specifically about board games in education.

While the benefits of using board games in education are clear, selecting and adapting the right game for your specific classroom needs can be challenging. 

I hope that this guide to using off-the-shelf board games in your teaching practice could help you. 

Each game includes a detailed description, suggestions for implementation in language classes and CLIL environments, practical adaptation tips, and additional resources.

You can explore games based on the skills they develop and subject connections using the table below. Alternatively, browse the alphabetical list if you’re looking for a particular game, or simply scroll through the collection to discover new possibilities for your classroom.

Language lessons

Skills	Games
Vocabulary	Codenames, Dobble/ Spot it, Dixit, Timeline (Historical, scientific, or cultural vocabulary, numerals (dates)), Top Trumps (numerals, units of measurement, descriptive adjectives)
Grammar	Dixit, Dobble/ Spot it (articles), Timeline (Temporal prepositions, past tenses, passive voice, hypotheses), Top Trumps (Comparatives, superlatives, comparison structures)
Speaking (conversation)	Dixit, Timeline, Top Trumps (Argumentation, discussion)
Storytelling	Dixit, Timeline

CLIL lessons

Subject	Games
Literature	Codenames, Dixit, Dobble/ Spot it, Timeline, Top Trumps
History	Codenames, Dobble/ Spot it, Timeline, Top Trumps
Science	Codenames, Dobble/ Spot it, Timeline, Top Trumps
Art	Codenames, Dobble/ Spot it, Timeline
Geography	Codenames, Dobble/ Spot it, Top Trumps
Philosophy	Dixit, Dobble/ Spot it, Timeline
Economics	Top Trumps