Tired of the same old board games that make you feel like you need a degree in advanced calculus just to play?
Here are 10 lesser-known board games that will give your math skills a workout, but won’t leave you feeling like you need to take a nap after.
The Great Heartland Hauling Co.:
In this game, players take on the role of truck drivers trying to deliver goods across the Heartland. To do this, they must carefully plan their routes and budget their money, using basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, and division.
Trambahn:
In Trambahn, players are competing to build the most profitable network of trams in 19th century Munich. The game includes a unique auction system that requires players to use basic math skills to determine the best bids and calculate their profits.
Orléans:
In Orléans, players are trying to build the most prosperous medieval city by recruiting workers, collecting resources, and constructing buildings. The game includes a unique dice-drafting mechanic that requires players to use basic math skills to calculate their options and make strategic decisions.
Tiny Epic Galaxies:
In this game, players are trying to expand their galactic empire by collecting resources, upgrading their spaceships, and exploring new planets. The game includes a dice-rolling mechanic that requires players to use basic math skills to calculate the outcomes of their actions and make strategic decisions.
The Isle of Cats:
In The Isle of Cats, players are trying to rescue as many cats as possible from an island before it sinks. The game includes a unique polyomino puzzle-building mechanic that requires players to use basic math skills to fit the pieces together and maximize their points.
The Networks:
In this game, players are trying to build the most successful TV network by hiring actors, producing shows, and acquiring viewers. The game includes a unique auction system that requires players to use basic math skills to determine the best bids and calculate their profits.
Underwater Cities:
In Underwater Cities, players are trying to build the most prosperous underwater city by collecting resources, constructing buildings, and researching new technologies. The game includes a unique worker-placement mechanic that requires players to use basic math skills to calculate their options and make strategic decisions.
Pulsar 2849:
In Pulsar 2849, players are trying to explore and colonize the galaxy by navigating through pulsars and collecting resources. The game includes a unique dice-rolling mechanic that requires players to use basic math skills to calculate the outcomes of their actions and make strategic decisions.
Azul:
In Azul, players are trying to build the most beautiful mosaic by collecting tiles and placing them on their board. The game includes a unique tile-drafting mechanic that requires players to use basic math skills to calculate their options and make strategic decisions.
Charterstone:
In Charterstone, a legacy-style board game, players are trying to build the most prosperous village by constructing buildings, recruiting citizens, and collecting resources. The game includes a unique worker-placement mechanic that requires players to use basic math skills to calculate their options and make strategic decisions.
What are you waiting for
Go out there and pick up a board game. There are plenty of board games out there that can help improve your math skills without making your brain hurt.
There are lots of games that will help you improve your math that are not even on this list from fast-paced card games like Set and dominoes, to strategic dice games like Yahtzee and Farkle, there’s a board game for every math enthusiast out there.
And who knows, you might even have fun while you’re at it! So next time you’re looking for a new board game to play, consider trying out one of the options on this list.
Your math skills (and your friends and family) will thank you.