It’s that time of the year when we are all stocking up on new educational books and thinking what we should use. And even though I am book crazy (I really do have a big pile of educational books that we have acquired over the years and I do mean BIG) I do think it is good to think about other resources, other educational resources that help the kids to learn but are just not in that traditional book format. And when it comes to these “other” forms of educational resources one of my favourite formats has to be the Board Games from Oaka Books. We have been using their different board games for years and they are always a big hit with the kids and me (I love that by just playing a board game I can see what areas the kids are confident with and which areas we possibly need to review or even re-explain).

Our very first Oaka Books board game was the KS2 Biology game – Predators and Producers. I was initially interested in this game because both of my kiddos were a bit animal fact crazy so I thought a biology based board game would be the best one to start with. And it was an immediate hit with my kids. The basic concept is similar to snakes and ladders – throw a dice, move squares and then you answer some questions and collect points. They played it over and over again and I was so impressed with how much they were learning by just playing a game that I knew I was going to have to get some of the other versions.

And then we tried the Geography game – On the Map game and I have to admit even though we have had this game for years it is still a firm favourite in our house. This game has 2 versions – a version which focuses on the UK and Europe and a version which is the whole world. As you move around the outside squares you have to answer questions about different countries, cities and landmarks. I have to admit that all of us (adults included) learnt a lot playing this game.

We also got the other two KS2 board games – What’s the Matter (which is Chemistry) and Space Race (which is Physics). Both of these games are the same idea as Predator and Producer games (ie snake and ladder type games with Science questions) just they focus on either Chemistry or Physics.

And now we have moved onto the older games. They also do Science Board games for the KS3 ages and we have the Biology Scramble game. I like using it as a way to revise facts but actually sometimes it ends up being a way of teaching the kids new facts (well for my youngest it has done that as he always joins in and plays with his older sibling). I have always enjoyed the Board games but I find as the kids get older and their academic work becomes a bit more serous I actually appreciate these type of resources even more than before. We want our kids to learn but at the same time, books and more books becomes a bit much so it really is good to be able to mix in things like playing a fun board game into their learning.

If you are busy thinking about educational resources and getting lost in a mountain of books then have a think about including some resources that are a bit more relaxed. Resources that are fun to play but still educational. Resources that are great for both learning new facts and revising. These are a few of the games that we have used and enjoyed and I hope they might give you some ideas.