Do board games make kids smarter?
A plain, honest look at what real studies found, what they did not find, and what a game like this can fairly promise.
- Real studies
- No hype
- Sources linked
Not in a magic way. Research suggests board games can support specific learning, motivation and social interaction. No study we found shows that a board game raises general intelligence, and none tested this game.
What a game like the Wastewater Treatment Plant can fairly offer is practice with new vocabulary, turn-taking, planning with coins, and a reason to talk about water at home.
Two studies worth knowing
Study 1: a number board game
Siegler and Ramani (2008, Developmental Science) found low-income preschoolers knew less about number sizes than better-off peers. After four 15-minute sessions of a simple number board game, that gap in number estimation disappeared. Children who played a colour version of the game did not improve.
What it means: a game built around a specific skill, here counting along a number line, helped that specific skill in that study.
Study 2: a systematic review
Noda, Shirotsuki and Nakao (2019, BioPsychoSocial Medicine) reviewed 27 studies of board-game programmes. They concluded that board games can support learning, motivation and interaction between people.
The caveat: the evidence base is small, many studies were small, and many lacked a proper comparison group. The authors call for more research.
What we can and cannot say
We can say
Games built around a clear skill can help children practise that skill.
Playing together builds turn-taking and conversation.
We cannot say
That any board game raises IQ or general intelligence.
That this game has been tested in a study. It has not, as far as we know.
This game’s skill focus
Water-treatment vocabulary and order of stages, planning with 6 starting coins, and permits and quality checks as ideas about rules and accountability.
Why that still matters
Children who know the words and the steps can follow news, school lessons and family talks about water with more confidence.
Four ways to get real learning from game night
- Keep sessions comfortable. There is no proven ideal length for this game. The preschool study above used four short sessions of a different, number-based game, so it is not a rule for this one. Play for as long as your child stays interested.
- Name the skill. Say what you are practising: “Today we are learning the order of the stages.” Clear goals help.
- Talk after. Ask one question, such as “Why must screening come first?” Explaining an idea out loud helps it stick.
- Keep it playful. Children learn more when they want to play again. Do not turn it into a test.
An honest note. We sell this game, so we want to be careful. Studies describe groups of children, not your child, and none looked at this specific game. Treat it as a good, fun way to spend time and learn about water, not as a guaranteed boost to marks or intelligence.
Frequently asked questions
Do board games make kids smarter?
Research suggests board games can support specific learning, motivation and social skills. No study we found shows that a board game raises general intelligence.
Has this game been tested in a study?
Not as far as we know. The studies linked below looked at other board games, so we describe this game as a fun way to practise water-treatment ideas, not as a proven way to raise marks.
What do children actually learn from the Wastewater Treatment Plant game?
The order of eight treatment stages, new science words, planning with coins, and the idea that permits and quality checks matter. The explainer sheet in the box describes each process in simple words.
How long should a child play for learning?
There is no proven number for this game. Short, regular sessions that your child enjoys are a sensible approach, and you can stop whenever interest fades.
What age is the game for?
The box says 8+. It has small parts and is not suitable for children under 3 years.
Check the studies yourself
- Siegler, R. S. and Ramani, G. B. (2008). Playing linear numerical board games promotes low-income children’s numerical development. Developmental Science, 11(5), 655-661.
- Noda, S., Shirotsuki, K. and Nakao, M. (2019). The effectiveness of intervention with board games: a systematic review. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 13, 22.
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Written by Dr. Riddhish Padiya, Ayurvedic practitioner (M.Pharma Ayu, PhD) with 14+ peer-reviewed publications. Updated 4 November 2026. Game facts come from the box and rules supplied by Blestonsi Creations. We sell this game on this website.
Learn, play and talk about water
A fun, honest way to spend family time and help children understand how clean water is made.
MRP ₹1,299 (incl. all taxes).
Buy now · ₹1,299Game designed and made in India by Blestonsi Creations (@blestonsi). Photos show the real game; colour and resolution enhanced digitally.