10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

If your child thrives on hands-on learning here are some ancient history card games that they will love. Also, look at my page Kids History Games for more fun history game ideas.

These 10 games cover different areas of ancient history in a fun way that gets kids excited about learning.

And truth be told they really just think they are enjoying a game night (or afternoon) with the family.

Some are ready to go games to purchase and a few are free to print and simple to set up options from around the internet.

Card games are great because they are easy to take wherever you go to your co-op, waiting in restaurants, or even on a picnic to the park. 

They are also great for teaching strategy, problem solving, concentration, attention, critical thinking, and encouraging socialization.

Ancient history spans all continents inhabited by humans from 3000 BC – AD 500.

There were 10 major civilizations of ancient history during this period, each making contributions to art, science, government, and culture.

They were spread from the Fertile crescent to the Americas and here is a breakdown of each for you to use as you move through teaching about ancient history.

Ancient History Timeline

Mesopotamia

•  Sumerian Civilization-4th millennium BCE – 2nd millennium BCE
•  Akkadian Empire- 24th century BCE – 22nd century BCE
•  Babylonian Empire-18th century BCE – 6th century BCE
• Assyrian Empire-25th century BCE – 7th century BCE

Egypt           

• Early Dynastic Period-31st century BCE – 27th century BCE
• Old Kingdom-27th century BCE – 22nd century BCE
• Middle Kingdom- 21st century BCE – 17th century BCE
• New Kingdom- 16th century BCE – 11th century BCE

Indus Valley Civilization      

• Mature Indus Valley Civ.-26th century BCE – 19th century BCE

China           

•  Xia Dynasty-21st century BCE – 17th century BCE
• Shang Dynasty-17th century BCE – 11th century BCE
• Zhou Dynasty- 11th BCE – 3rd century BCE
• Qin Dynasty- 3rd century BCE – 2nd century BCE
• Han Dynasty- 3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE

Greece        

• Mycenaean Civilization-17th century BCE – 11th century BCE
• Archaic Period-8th century BCE – 6th century BCE
• Classical Period-5th century BCE – 4th century BCE
• Hellenistic Period-4th century BCE – 1st century BCE

Ancient Rome          

• Roman Kingdom-8th century BCE – 5th century BCE
•  Roman Republic-5th century BCE – 1st century BCE
• Roman Empire-1st century BCE – 5th century CE

Persian Empire        

• Achaemenid Empire-6th century BCE – 4th century BCE
• Parthian Empire-3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE
•  Sasanian Empire-3rd century CE – 7th century CE

Maya Civilization      

•  Preclassic Period-2000 BCE – 250 CE
• Classic Period -250 CE – 900 CE

Aztec Empire

• 14th century CE –16th century CE

Inca Empire  

• 15th century CE –16th century CE

Also, to add more fun to your history card games, look at the links below.

• Ancient Civilization
• Ancient Civilization II
• Homeschool Free Lapbook Ideas
• 7 Fun Ways to Play Go Fish Egyptian Games for Kids
• 13 Free and Fun BEST Printable History Board Game
• Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones
• 15 World History Board Games Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun
• How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
• 7 Wonders Architects | Strategy Game

Fun Ancient History Card Games

Next, look at these ancient history card games to add fun to your unit study.