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.
10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids
Hands-on history makes learning stick and adding these cards to your history homeschool days will help kids make a connection.
Print and try my Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study, it is the perfect accompaniment to learning about ancient Greece facts from the first Olympic games to their impressive architecture.
FUN FACTS: Step back in time to explore lost, but not forgotten, Ancient Civilizations. Discover facts about ancient places, philosophers, buildings, arts, clothing, empires and more on this historical journey.
Zeus on The Loose is a silly fun card game that covers many gods and goddesses of Greek mythology so if you are studying this topic it is a must have card game for familiarizing them with names while it sneaks in a little math as well.
DEVELOPS YOUR CRITICAL SKILLS - During the game, players will have use the cards to reveal different challenges to overcome. Each kingdom has different strengths and weaknesses and you
will need your wit and determination to develop a culture for your people, build your empire and conquer for glory!
FUN FACTS: Fun facts about famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty or structures like the Eiffel Tower, as well as wonders like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Valley of the Kings each have their own topic card. This card game has awe inspiring landmarks from every time and
culture!
Top Trumps travels to Ancient Egypt to explore a world of treasures, gods, pharaohs and mystery. Rated on Beauty, Ingenuity, Age, Height and Mystique, the pack contains everything from the breathtaking Sphinx and Great Pyramid to Nefertiti and the 'Boy King' Tutankhamun himself. The packs also features a list of key Egyptian gods, a timeline and a map of Ancient Egypt. For all you budding archaeologists, this is a must!
Here is another Greek Mythology Matching Card Game highlighting 16 different gods and goddesses of Greek mythology that can be played like a simple go fish or play it as a memory game.
Heirs to an exceptional knowledge that has survived the ages, it is now up to you to preserve the vestiges of your civilization. Ancient Knowledge is a strategic card game in which you erect monuments and build artifacts to pass on your knowledge. Time will make your constructions ephemeral, so make the right decisions and combine the many cards at your disposal, because all knowledge is doomed to disappear... You are the oldest builders of this world, the last heirs of an illustrious civilization. Use your knowledge to ensure that its greatness endures over time!
While it covers more than just ancient history spanning ancient history to modern, this is a great all around card game to reinforce timelines, the Timeline Twist Card Game.
In Aegean Sea, you take charge of one of five ancient peoples (Sparta, Athens, Crete, Ephesus, or Rhodes) in a quest to lead them to great things!
