Best Nature Board Games 2024: Top 15 Review
Step outside and embrace the world of nature with these 15 amazing board games. We sifted through many options, carefully picking ones that capture the beauty and excitement of nature. Each game on our list offers a unique experience, from strategic challenges to easygoing fun, all while celebrating the great outdoors. Whether you’re planting trees, building habitats, or exploring beautiful landscapes, these games bring the wonders of nature to your table. Gather your friends, get comfy, and let the adventure begin! Discover which nature-themed board games made our top picks, and find your next favorite to play.
On this list:
15 Arboretum
If you ever wanted to feel like you’re planting a forest without getting your hands dirty, Arboretum is the way to go! It’s a lovely card game that makes you feel like a tree-hugging strategist. We had a blast figuring out the best ways to plant our path without the squirrels interfering. Plus, the art looks like it was done by elves in nature themselves. Don’t be fooled by its peaceful nature, though—it can get as cutthroat as a lumberjack convention when someone steals your glory by planting a better path!
14 Wingspan
For those who dream of being bird watchers but can’t identify a pigeon from a puffin, Wingspan is a perfect match. As we fumbled with our binoculars and cards, there’s something calming about creating the ultimate bird sanctuary. The game balance is superb, drawing us back over and over. The artwork made us wish we could hang it on our walls. Just be prepared for your inner ornithologist to emerge!
13 Photosynthesis
Being a tree isn’t as easy as it looks, but Photosynthesis gives you that leafy experience in a fun way. We couldn’t get enough of moving our pieces around, snatching up sunlight like chlorophyll vampires. It’s a great nature-themed game with a twist—without the need for actual sunlight. Timing becomes everything, making this game as much about strategy as it is about watching trees grow.
12 Root
Root isn’t just any woodland skirmish; it’s where adorable creatures go to war. We had some intense games where betrayal was almost as common as breathing. This asymmetric game offers loads of replayability with its different factions, each bringing a unique strategy to the table. It’s as if the forest went all Game of Thrones. Best part? The fuzzy creatures mean you won’t feel too bad about getting defeated.
11 Bärenpark
Bärenpark brings the best of nature—namely, bears—into a family-friendly game. We managed our own bear parks, placing pieces like Tetris champions. It’s about building without the hassle of rent and with a lot more fur. The tactile satisfaction of placing that perfect piece is second only to seeing your park come alive. Be warned though, it’s a bit like animal Jenga but with more bear puns!
10 Everdell
Everdell combines critters with serious tree-building in a game that enchanted our gaming group. It’s a wonder-filled journey as you build and populate your little forest town. Each card has enough character to star in its own animated movie. With its massive 3D tree and stunning components, the game is as much a showpiece as it is a competition. We felt a bit like woodland architects!
9 PARKS
If you want to hike across America’s beautiful national parks without leaving your living room, PARKS has got you covered. This one gave us all the camping vibes without the tent-pitching. Each card has wonderful illustrations that made us feel like adventurers on a quest to collect sunlight, mountains, and trees. Ready your marshmallows—this board game reeks of nostalgia and campfire tales!
8 Cottage Garden
For the green thumbs in our circle, Cottage Garden was a hit. We placed plants in colorful grids, making gardens vibrant and full of life. It was like gardening without the pesky bugs. We got competitive about which garden looked best, and there might have been an argument or two over pansies. Plus, the bliss of completing a perfect plot is unmatched!
7 Ticket to Ride: Rails & Sails
This nature-themed Ticket to Ride offers coast-to-coast adventures with trains and boats. We navigated routes longer than our grocery lists. It’s a big twist on the classic, with marine navigation adding a splash of excitement. Our sessions were filled with strategic planning that would make any cartographer proud. Battles for passage could get a little salty, but it’s always in good fun!
6 Takenoko
Takenoko is adorable nature embodied in a board game, complete with a panda and gardener as the main characters. We raced against each other growing bamboo and satisfying insatiable panda appetites. It’s as much about good planning as it is about keeping up with a panda’s culinary demands. The colorful components make it as visually delightful as it is fun to play.
5 Tokaido
The journey is as important as the destination in Tokaido. It’s a serene, beautiful trip across Japan where experiences count more than resources. We found ourselves collecting memories and trinkets—finding peace rather than competition. Its simplicity made it an easy pickup for our less experienced friends, yet it never failed to charm those seeking tranquility with a side of strategy.
4 Herbaceous
Herbaceous lets you step into the roles of a master gardener, or at least it did for us as we frantically potted plants, aiming for that herbaceous masterpiece. The play is relaxed but strategic, perfect for kicking back with a cup of tea. We enjoyed the art almost as much as outsmarting each other. Don’t let its calm nature fool you; it’s competitive in the nicest way.
3 Meadow
In Meadow, you can immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of nature. Building ecosystems with the beautiful cards kept us enthusiastic, even when someone snatched the card we needed. The intricate artwork had us daydreaming about summer meadows and chirping crickets. It’s a delightful blend of strategy and appreciation for the natural world.
2 Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars lets you be the planetary pioneer you were always meant to be. We got to play god by altering Mars’ surface, which was as thrilling as it sounds. Watching resources grow and changing the planet’s face made every session exhilarating. It’s not just a game; it’s a journey across sci-fi nature with just the right amount of nerdy flair.
1 Viticulture
Viticulture stands as our top pick. It’s a game that masters the art of winemaking and farming, combining them into a nature-themed masterpiece. We spent hours tending to our vineyards, bottling dreams into fermented fun. The series of choices—from planting vines to harvesting grapes—creates an engaging experience that feels like a slow dance with nature. The Tuscany expansion elevates this game to epic. Cheers to the ultimate blend of strategy and relaxation!
