The Best Games For Learning in September

Are you searching for cozy fall activities to kick off September? It’s the perfect time to break out the board games! September weather means we can enjoy playing board games outdoors on the front porch or get into a game of cards while sprawling on a picnic blanket at the park. 

Wherever you decide to play, you’re going to love these September games for kids of all ages. There’s something for everyone from preschoolers to teenagers with all kinds of fun September themes like apples and falling leaves. There are even games for Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Ready to get started? Grab my printable game shopping list. You can take it with you as you search for new games to add to your rotation this month. With this list, you won’t have to wonder if the games you choose are going to be a hit, because we have tested them out for you.

The Best Games for Every Month of the Year

We love game time! Some of our favorites can always be found on the shelf, but we like to swap our games out and add new board games, card games, and trivia to match the season and our new interests. There are so many games to enjoy together as we learn and make memories.

I’m always searching for fun new games we can enjoy together. We wait in anticipation to play something new every family game night! How do I keep our game stash fresh and exciting without breaking the bank? I’ve got lots of tips and tricks for that.

Check out our Guide to Gameschooling to get the scoop on creative ideas, tips for getting started, and recommendations for every age and school subject to help you make learning through play simple and fun for everyone. 

You can often find great games on the clearance rack or stashed on the shelves at your local thrift store. Some libraries even rent out games, so you can always play something new together and stick to your budget. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a brand-new game list for September, allowing you to shop and plan your game rotation the easy way.

Whether you’re looking for seasonal games or new favorites to enjoy all year, you’ll love the games on this list. There’s something for everyone from preschool kiddos to teenagers and even parents. 

Whether you need to break up the boredom this summer or entertain the kids on a long road trip, you’ll love the games on this list. Plus, there’s something for everyone, from preschoolers to teenagers. 

September Game Suggestions for Kids of All Ages

There are so many excellent September game suggestions for kids of all ages that it was hard to choose only a few. Still, we have narrowed this list down to our favorite board and card games for September, with fun for everyone from preschool to high school, even the parents.

   

 

Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples from Mattel has quickly become a classic. This card game is perfect for people of all ages. It’s great for building vocabulary and learning lots of trivia facts! There are lots of versions to enjoy this September, from the classic game to a junior version that’s easier for young children to play and spin-offs too.

Appletters

Another great educational game that’s perfectly themed for September is Appletters from the makers of Bananagrams. In this game, players will take turns adding words to the head or tail of the worm. The first one to use all their tiles wins. The best thing about this word game is that kids as young as 5 can play, and kids can play independently, so it’s perfect if you’re homeschooling an only child this year.

   

 

Battleship

Did you know September 2 is VJ Day (Victory Over Japan Day)? This holiday commemorates the surrender of Japan and the end of WWII. This year, you can expose your kids to this important period through gameschooling with the classic Battleship game from Hasbro.

Battleship is a 2 player game that kids as young as age 7 can play. There are even travel versions you can take along for a fall road trip. Need a game for more players? Try Battleship Royale, a version for as many as 6 players to enjoy that’s perfect for big families and friends.

Fire in the Hole

Our favorite September holiday might be Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19. It’s such a fun, silly day to celebrate! This year, we can add gameschooling to your pirate-themed learning for the day with Fire in the Hole from McMiller Entertainment. 

This 3D board game is great for building fine motor skills and critical thinking as kids race to sink the pirate ship and save the seven seas. There are sure to be lots of giggles when you play this game on family game night. 

    

 

First Orchard

Do you need a game even the youngest learners can enjoy this month? Then, don’t miss Haba’s First Orchard Game from their My Very First Game collection for children as young as age 2. This game is well thought out and perfect for families that include little ones. 

Get prepped for your first apple picking adventure or fall farm day with this cooperative game. The goal is to roll the colored dice and pick the matching fruit in this September game that builds color recognition and counting skills with preschool and kindergarten kiddos.

Harvest

When we think of Autumn, we begin to think of harvest time. It’s the start of the harvest season, so it’s the perfect time to learn more about harvesting with a great board game. Harvest from Keymaster Games is a whimsical farming challenge game that’s ideal for kids ages 10 and up.

Harvest can be played as a solo game or with up to four players. This game is great for rainy days because it’s an hour long. Plus, you’ll love the beautiful art and magical surprises hidden throughout the game.

I Caught Bigfoot

If you like Clue, you’ll love I Caught Bigfoot from Covered Wagon Games. Since September is a great time for hiking and camping, it felt like we needed to include a Bigfoot-themed game on this list. Right?

Plus, I Caught Bigfoot is small enough to fit in your hiking bag. Kids ages 6 and up can play this sturdy board game in just 20 minutes, but it’s so much fun that you’ll likely be playing all night. Giggle, gather clues, and try to outsmart eachother as you race to catch the legend yourself.

   

 

History Channel Trivia Game

There’s a lot of history to explore in September with VJ Day, Labor Day, and 9/11, so it’s a good time to break out the History Channel Trivia Game with teens. If you like to play trivia games in the car, you can even grab the travel deck to slip in your purse before the next road trip.

There are 5 different categories of general knowledge, including culture, sports, science, landmarks, and events. There are 2,000 questions to answer in this iconic history game! It’s one you won’t want to miss if you’re homeschooling high school this year.

Leaf

September 22 is the first day of Fall. That means it’s time for the leaves to change colors and fall from the trees. It’s also exactly the right time to play Leaf from Weird City Games. 

This strategy board game for ages 10 and up isn’t just seasonal, it’s also an excellent choice for gameschooling science. Players will learn about ecosystems as they build a thriving forest floor with falling leaves, mushroom rings, and animals.

Match a Leaf: A Tree Memory Game

Younger students can get in on the falling leaf fun with Match a Leaf: A Tree Memory Game. This memory game features trees commonly found in the US and UK, as well as unique trees from all over the world. 

As your family works together to match the trees, they can learn interesting facts about trees written by Tony Kirkham, the Head of the Arboretum at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. That’s why this game is a fall gameschooling win for everyone.

   

 

Plunder

Do you need another fun pirate-themed game? Check out Plunder from Lost Boy Entertainment. This strategy game is great for engaging older kids and teens on your next family game night. 

In Plunder, players conquer islands to gain valuable resources. You’ll build and upgrade your ships with masts and cannons, and wage war against rival captains. It’s designed so that you can play against eachother or team up and fight to the end.

Storytime Chess

Did you know September 1 is Chess Day? That means it’s the perfect time to learn how to play Chess with your family. Chess is the ultimate strategy game, so it’s great for developing logic and critical thinking skills. 

Get started with Storytime Chess. In this version, kids as young as 3 can learn to play the game with a fun storytelling twist to keep them engaged with colorful characters. Even if you’ve never played before, you can learn with the chess storybook, colorful character pieces, and mini games in Storytime Chess.

Traitors Aboard

We had to include one more pirate game to round out the September games list. Traitors Aboard from SAVANA was an easy choice. It’s the 2023 winner of the Best Toys Award, so you know it’s tons of fun!

Up to 8 players can enjoy this card game, so it might even inspire you to host a Talk Like a Pirate Party on September 19th. In this secret identity game, players will work together to fill their treasure chests with gold and avoid getting caught or plundered.

Even More September Gameschooling Wins 

This September game list for kids of all ages is full of wins. Gameschooling makes learning through play with older kids a lot easier. Games eliminate the pressure that usually follows quizzes and textbooks. Plus, games build connection and encourage curiosity and imagination.

Here are a few more ways to inspire learning and enjoy time together this September:

How are you going to learn through play this Fall? We’d love to read about your favorite September activity ideas and games to play in the comments. Don’t forget to share all the learning fun you’re planning this month!