Hero image

Historybuffer's Shop

Welcome to a fun new way to teach history. Get those kids out of their seats and into some board games with these fun, interactive games.

Welcome to a fun new way to teach history. Get those kids out of their seats and into some board games with these fun, interactive games.
Chinese Dynasty Board Game #2 -The Qin Dynasty (Social Studies-History Activity)
historybufferhistorybuffer

Chinese Dynasty Board Game #2 -The Qin Dynasty (Social Studies-History Activity)

(0)
In this game, you explore some of the aspects of the Qin Dynasty, and compete with other players to get around the board, while learning info. The Qin Dynasty, which ruled China from 221 BCE to 206 BCE, was a short but significant period in Chinese history. Some key events and characteristics include: Unification of China: The Qin Dynasty is best known for unifying China under the rule of Qin Shi Huang, who declared himself the First Emperor. This involved the conquest of various independent states and the standardization of writing, currency, and measurements to promote unity. Construction of the Great Wall: Qin Shi Huang initiated the early construction of the Great Wall of China to defend against invasions from northern nomadic tribes. Although much of the existing wall is from later dynasties, the foundation was laid during the Qin Dynasty. Standardization of Laws and Writing: Qin Shi Huang implemented legal reforms to standardize laws and punishments across the newly unified empire. He also ordered the standardization of the Chinese writing system, which helped in promoting communication and governance. Authoritarian Rule: The Qin Dynasty was characterized by a centralized and authoritarian form of government. Qin Shi Huang implemented strict control over the population, suppressing dissent and persecuting scholars whose ideas opposed the state ideology. Terra Cotta Army: One of the most famous archaeological discoveries in China is the Terra Cotta Army, a collection of life-sized clay soldiers and horses created to accompany Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. This massive burial complex was discovered in the late 20th century. Short-lived Dynasty: Despite its significant achievements, the Qin Dynasty was short-lived, lasting only 15 years. After the death of Qin Shi Huang, discontent among the people, harsh policies, and the oppressive rule of subsequent emperors contributed to the fall of the dynasty. The Qin Dynasty laid the foundation for imperial rule in China, influencing the subsequent Han Dynasty and leaving a lasting impact on Chinese history and culture.
Ancient Rome Board Game #6 - Augustus and the Pax Romana (social studies)
historybufferhistorybuffer

Ancient Rome Board Game #6 - Augustus and the Pax Romana (social studies)

(0)
In this game, students pick up information cards and play them on a board to try to get 5 counters in a row. Augustus, originally named Octavian, was the first emperor of Rome, reigning from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14. After the assassination of his great-uncle and adoptive father Julius Caesar in 44 B.C., Octavian rose to power through a series of political maneuvers and military victories. He defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C., which left him as the unchallenged ruler of Rome. In 27 B.C., he was awarded the title “Augustus” by the Roman Senate, marking the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire. Augustus implemented significant reforms that stabilized the empire, secured its borders, and initiated a period of relative peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana, or “Roman Peace.” This era lasted for more than two centuries and is characterized by a reduction in large-scale warfare, increased security for trade routes, and a flourishing of arts and culture. Augustus’ reign laid the foundations for this period, which allowed the Roman Empire to expand and prosper, reaching its zenith in terms of territorial extent, economic prosperity, and cultural achievements.
Ancient Rome Board Games #2 Rome: The Punic Wars (Carthage, social studies)
historybufferhistorybuffer

Ancient Rome Board Games #2 Rome: The Punic Wars (Carthage, social studies)

(0)
In this game, students play as either Rome or Carthage to battle against each other in a printable board game. Students use a dice to gain troops, move around the board, and capture the capital cities. To battle each other’s troops, they must win a rock, paper, scissors battle. The Punic Wars were a series of three conicts fought between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire from 264 BCE to 146 BCE. The term “Punic” is derived from the Latin word “Punicus,” which means Carthaginian.
Ancient History Board Games - Rome #1 - Dominate the Peninsula (social studies)
historybufferhistorybuffer

Ancient History Board Games - Rome #1 - Dominate the Peninsula (social studies)

(0)
In this game, students play one on one in a printable board game to dominate the peninsula of Rome. They play cards and move on a map to achieve this. Rome’s conquest of the Italian Peninsula occurred over several centuries, starting in the 4th century BCE and culminating in the 1st century BCE. Rome, initially a small city-state, expanded through military campaigns and alliances, gradually bringing neighboring territories under its control. The process involved conflicts with other Italian city-states, such as the Samnites and Etruscans. Rome’s military prowess, political institutions, and ability to integrate conquered peoples into its society played crucial roles in the success of its conquest, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Roman Republic as a dominant power in the region.
Ancient Rome Board Game #8 Roman Tetrarchs (social studies, history)
historybufferhistorybuffer

Ancient Rome Board Game #8 Roman Tetrarchs (social studies, history)

(0)
In this game, play with 2-4 players, finding out about the decline of the Roman empire, and how things began to go downhill. Students will learn a little about how they tried to address some of these issues later in the Roman Empire. The period of internal turmoil preceding the reign of Diocletian, known as the Crisis of the Third Century (roughly 235-284 AD), was a time of immense instability and nearly led to the collapse of the Roman Empire. This crisis was characterized by a combination of military anarchy, economic collapse, plague, and external invasions. During this period, the Roman Empire saw over 20 emperors in just 50 years, most of whom met violent ends. The empire was also plagued by civil wars, as rival generals vied for the throne, and external threats from Germanic tribes, Persians, and others pressed on its borders. The economy was in disarray, suffering from severe inflation and a breakdown in trade, while the plague further decimated the population. Diocletian, who ruled from 284 to 305 AD, implemented a series of reforms that fundamentally transformed the structure of the Roman Empire, stabilizing it and ending the crisis. His reforms touched on various aspects of the empire, including its administration, military, economy, and even its religious life.
Ancient Greece Board Games #1 - Greek and Phoenician Colonies
historybufferhistorybuffer

Ancient Greece Board Games #1 - Greek and Phoenician Colonies

(0)
In this game, students will learn about the Greek and Phoenicians colonizing parts of Europe, Africa and Asia and how they spread their culture across the known world. In this game, students pick up cards, trade them, and collect them to win the game. They also collect cards on a special player board to keep track of ho fast they are advancing. There are special cards that help move the game along, as well as the players being forced to trade in order to move forward.
Chinese Dynasty Board Game #1 -Qin Dynasty (Social Studies-History Activity)
historybufferhistorybuffer

Chinese Dynasty Board Game #1 -Qin Dynasty (Social Studies-History Activity)

(0)
In this free game, students can play others students in the classroom using this printed board game. The Qin Dynasty unified China in 221 BC through a combination of military conquest, political centralization, and standardization. The dynasty implemented a centralized bureaucracy, standardized laws, writing systems, currency, and measurements. Additionally, the construction of the Great Wall of China began during this period to defend against invasions from northern nomadic tribes.
Ancient Rome Board Games #3 - Rome: Caesar's Civil War (social studies, history)
historybufferhistorybuffer

Ancient Rome Board Games #3 - Rome: Caesar's Civil War (social studies, history)

(0)
In this game, students play as either Caesar or Pompey to take control of Rome. They learn about events in the civil war that led to Caesar establishing control of the Roman Empire. The Roman Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great, from 49 BC to 45 BC, was a crucial con3ict marking the end of the Roman Republic. It began when Caesar de’ed the Senate’s order, led by Pompey, to disband his army and return to Rome. Instead, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his army in 49 BC, initiating a war for control of the Republic. The decisive battle occurred at Pharsalus in 48 BC, where Caesar’s forces overwhelmingly defeated Pompey’s. Pompey 3ed to Egypt, where he was assassinated. Caesar later defeated another Roman senator named Scipio in Africa. Caesar’s victory consolidated his power in Rome, leading to his dictatorship. However, his rule was short-lived, as he was assassinated in 44 BC, setting the stage for the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus.