What Is Gameschooling? (10 Skills It Builds + How to Start)

Over the years I heard of homeschooling families using gameschooling and wanted to know more about it. Here's what I found: gameschooling is when a board game is used to help a child learn a particular skill or to learn more about a subject. It's a fun way for kids to learn and enjoy themselves at the same time. Some homeschool families even choose to gameschool instead of using a curriculum for a given subject.

Gameschooling may not work for every family — every family homeschools differently — but here's what I've learned about it, including the skills it builds and how to pick the right games.

10 skills developed in gameschooling

Strategy — helps children make a plan to reach their goals in the game.
Planning — helps children learn how to organize their thoughts to make something happen.
Focus — teaches children how to pay attention to what is right in front of them.
Logic — helps children learn a chain of reasoning.
Problem solving — teaches children how to find the answer or solution to an issue.
Taking turns — helps children learn patience, and that others like to have fun too.
Following directions — helps children learn how to listen and do what is expected of them.
Sharing — teaches children that others like to have fun too.
Learning to win and lose — playing a board game teaches children that you aren't always going to win.
Critical thinking — teaches children how to come to a reasonable conclusion on their own.

5 tips for picking the best games for your family

How many players. Most games are designed for 4 players, so always check how many players a game requires.
Recommended age. Always look at the age recommendation to pick a game that fits your needs.
Difficulty level. You want a game that's difficult and fun at the same time — never so difficult that it frustrates.
Durability. Board games can be expensive, so make sure they're durable enough to hold up for a few years.
Easy to learn. Make sure the game is easy to learn to play. If it's too hard to figure out, the children won't learn anything from it.

Gameschooling by subject

There's a learning game for every subject. Some homeschool families do 100% gameschooling, and some just gameschool for a specific subject. Here's how the main subjects break down:

Language Arts — grammar, writing, spelling, and composition.
Social Studies — history, government, economics, civics, sociology, and geography.
Science — physics, chemistry, and biology.
STEM — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Logic — based on reason and sound ideas.

Children learn through play

Children have been learning through play from a very early age. They learn to talk through playing games — parents hold up an object and teach them how to say its name and what it looks like. Children learn to play pretend, how to count, and their ABCs through songs and playing. When children play, they learn language skills, social skills, and self-control.

Gameschooling is proof that learning and fun aren't opposites. Sometimes the best lesson of the day happens around the kitchen table with a board game.

Frequently asked questions

What is gameschooling?

Gameschooling is using a board game to help a child learn a particular skill or explore a subject. It's a fun, hands-on way to learn, and some families use it in place of a curriculum for certain subjects.

Do I have to gameschool every subject?

No. Some families gameschool everything, while others just use games for one subject. Do whatever fits your family and your children.

How do I pick a good learning game?

Check the number of players and the recommended age, choose a difficulty level that's challenging but fun, make sure it's durable, and pick something that's easy to learn to play.

Make learning playful

Whether you weave in one game a week or lean into gameschooling for a whole subject, games are a joyful way to build real skills. It's just one of the many ways children learn — you can explore the others in 7 Ways Children Learn and 10 Types of Homeschooling Methods. Grab the free starter checklist below to keep your homeschool year on track.