From ancient civilizations to modern family game nights, board games have always brought people together. For thousands of years, they’ve been a way to pass the time, test strategies, spark creativity, and strengthen social bonds. Along the way, the boards, rules, and playing pieces evolved across different cultures, and now Louvre Abu Dhabi is exploring that fascinating journey in a new interactive exhibition.
A Journey Through 5,000 Years of Play
Opening on July 18 and running until April 25, A Board Game Adventure takes visitors through more than 5,000 years of board game history at the museum’s Children’s Museum.
The exhibition features 24 historical objects from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection and international lenders, alongside immersive installations and interactive digital experiences. Visitors can discover how games such as chess, mancala, Ludo, and carrom traveled across continents, adapting to different cultures while remaining a timeless way to connect.
Meet Some of History’s Oldest Board Games
Among the exhibition’s highlights is Mehen, also known as the Game of the Snake, one of ancient Egypt’s earliest board games. Played between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago, its distinctive spiral-shaped board resembled a coiled serpent, with players moving their pieces toward the snake’s head.
Another fascinating stop is the 58-hole board, better known as Hounds and Jackals, which dates back around 3,000 years. Players navigated animal-headed pins through rows of holes, while specially marked spaces could either send them forward or push them back, making every game unpredictable.
History Meets Interactive Technology
Rather than simply displaying historical artifacts, the exhibition blends digital technology with ancient history to create an engaging experience for children and families.
Interactive challenges throughout the galleries encourage visitors to think strategically while learning about the origins of the games they’re playing.
As Amine Kharchach, Interpretation and Creative Content Section Head at Louvre Abu Dhabi, explained to The National:
We try to show how games, and board games specifically, can be used as tools for learning, can be used to trigger imagination and creativity, and enhance social connection.
Where the Games Come to Life
The experience ends with one of the exhibition’s most immersive spaces.
Children can scan their museum wristbands in front of artworks, prompting animated historical characters to appear on screen and introduce themselves along with their favorite games.
Each character then invites visitors to complete a unique challenge at nearby interactive tables, encouraging problem-solving, creativity, and strategic thinking.
Whether you’re revisiting classics or discovering ancient games for the first time, A Board Game Adventure proves that while the boards may have changed over thousands of years, the joy of playing together has remained remarkably timeless.
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