Best 7 Nature-Themed Board Games Reviewed in 2025
Nature lovers rejoice! We explore games like Wingspan and Photosynthesis that let you bring nature to your tabletop.
Nature-themed board games captivate us with lush forests, serene landscapes, and vibrant wildlife. When picking the best ones, we focus on engaging gameplay, stunning artwork, and replayability. These games transport you to another world, where you’ll find yourself strategizing like a fox, planting trees, or building your own nature sanctuary. Our friends and we spent countless evenings exploring these games, getting lost in the beauty of nature right from our living rooms. Get ready to embark on an epic journey through enchanting forests and wildlife wonders. Here are our top picks to add a dash of nature to your game nights!
On this list:
7 Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is an absolute treat for the eyes and the brain. This game cleverly incorporates nature’s life cycles by letting players grow trees from seedlings to full-grown beauties. We were hooked on the strategic depth involved in planning your forest’s light exposure while shading others. If you’re a sucker for pretty board games that make you think, this one is a must-have. It’s not one of those games where you can just sit back and relax, though. You’ve got to put your thinking cap on and plan your moves carefully. Beware: It may cause severe tree envy!
6 Wingspan
Wingspan is a game that pairs beautifully with a cup of herbal tea and the sound of chirping birds. This game is all about bird-watching and building a wildlife reserve. With stunning artwork and bird facts on each card, it’s like a nature documentary you get to play. Trust us, you’ll start to appreciate the diversity of avian life right around the second time your friend draws the Bald Eagle card and you don’t. We especially enjoyed the satisfaction that came from creating our own mini bird sanctuary. Go on, give it a try, and may your bird feeder always be full.
5 Everdell
Everdell has a bit of magic about it that makes you feel like a kid in a forest fairytale. This game features animals that have anthropomorphized their way into civilization, creating cities and settlements. It’s the woodland creatures’ version of New York City! We love the worker placement and tableau-building mechanics that support creative strategies. The beauty of Everdell isn’t just in its art, but also in how it combines elements of nature and fantasy seamlessly. Get your friends together, and you’ll find it’s easy to get lost in this enchanting world.
4 Park
Park is the kind of game that makes you want to strap on your hiking boots and head straight for the nearest national park. It’s a tribute to nature’s beauty, featuring illustrations of dozens of parks from the United States. We couldn’t help but be charmed by the combination of nature and travel. You collect memories (points) as you visit different parks, and honestly, the competitive part of me loves out-hiking my friends on these trails. It’s a light game, both in terms of complexity and aesthetic, making it a lovely way to unwind after a long day.
3 Cascadia
Cascadia offers a delightful puzzle experience set in the majestic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. This game lets you shape a habitat for animals like elk, bears, and eagles. Who knew building a harmonious ecosystem could be this addictive? We found ourselves immersed in the strategic tile-laying, and the satisfaction of creating perfect patterns was on par with completing a jigsaw puzzle. It’s ideal for those who love a brain teaser wrapped in the theme of nature. Be warned: you might start planning your next vacation around the great outdoors after a session with this game.
2 Root
Root is the kind of game that challenges your strategic thinking while you’re chuckling at the antics of woodland critters. Players control one of several factions, each with its own abilities, vying for control over the forest. What made us love Root is its complex nature balanced with playful design. It’s a game where alliances are as fickle as the weather, and knowing when to strike is as crucial as knowing when to retreat. If you’re looking for a game that’s competitive and yet whimsical, alongside a sprinkle of chaos, Root is your game.
1 Spirit Island
Spirit Island is a co-op game that flips the colonial narrative on its head. You play as the spirits of an island, working to fend off colonizers. This game is our top pick because of its unique combination of strategy and theme. The intricate gameplay mechanics make every session different, and working together with your friends to protect your land is genuinely rewarding. It’s also a game that beautifully integrates nature into its core mechanics, making players truly feel like they are one with the island. If you enjoy in-depth strategy games and want a theme that feels fresh and meaningful, Spirit Island is the best nature-themed game out there.
