Ancient Era
Middle Ages
Renaissance/
Enlightenment
20th Century
Rise of Board Games
Importance of Board Games
100

This ancient game uses small stones or seeds that are moved between cups or holes.

Mancala

100

This game spread across continents and changed over time to reflect the cultures that played it.

Chess

100

In the Game of the Goose the board is usually shaped like this. 

Spiral

100

This man is famous for creating one of the first board game companies in the United States.

Milton Bradley

100

Board games often bring people together by encouraging this activity.

Social Interaction

200

This ancient Chinese board game uses black and white stones.

Go

200

This piece moves in an “L” shape and can jump over other pieces.

Knight

200

Landing on a goose space usually lets the player do this.

Move Forward Again

200

Before making board games, Milton Bradley worked with this type of machine that made pictures and designs.

Printing Press

200

Board games were sometimes used to teach this skill needed for leadership and war.

Strategy

300

This valuable gemstone was used as board game pieces in the ancient era.

Diamonds

300

This color always moves first in a chess game.

White

300

These special spaces change what happens to a player’s turn.

Action Spaces

300

This modern board game was later inspired by Bradley’s original idea about life and choices.

The Game of Life

300

Families have used board games to pass these down.

Traditions/Values/Culture

400

This ancient Egyptian board game used squares, throwing sticks or bones, and had religious meaning.

Senet

400

This country has dominated international chess competitions for most of the 20th century.

Russia

400

The Game of the Goose is supposed to teach lessons about and represent this.

Life

400

What change in society caused board games to boom in the 20th C.

Industrialization/ Industrial Revolution

400

When games change over time, they show how cultures do this too.

Evolve/Adapt

500

This racing game was played in ancient Mesopotamia around 2600 BCE using 20 squares.

The Royal Game of Ur

500

This ancient Indian game is the ancestor of modern chess.

Chaturanga

500

The Game of the Goose was first played in this continent.

Europe

500

After establishing his board game company Milton Bradley focused on making games to help children.

Learn/ Education

500

Some board games show social class differences because only wealthy people could afford these.

Expensive Game Boards/Pieces

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