Louvre Abu Dhabi’s newest Children’s Museum exhibition turns the history of board games into a hands-on family adventure, and it opens today.
The exhibition, A Board Game Adventure, opens on 18 July and explores more than 5,000 years of board games through original objects, interactive stations and outdoor activities. It is designed for families with children and runs throughout the summer.
Every child receives a black wristband at the entrance. Scanning it at different stations unlocks videos, fun facts, quizzes and digital challenges. Instead of simply looking at displays, children take part in activities as they move through each gallery.
What you will see inside
The first gallery traces how board games began and spread across the world. One highlight is a 1769 painting by Francis Cotes, William and Penelope Welby Playing Chess, which museum educators describe as the starting point of the exhibition. Visitors can also see Mehen, an ancient Egyptian board game also called the Snake Game, played thousands of years ago.
The next gallery focuses on chess and carrom. Chess is explored as one of the world’s most famous strategy games, while carrom is presented as a game many families in the UAE enjoy, especially during Ramadan and family gatherings.
The final indoor gallery brings history to life. Children scan their wristbands in front of artworks, and characters on screen begin speaking, introducing themselves and their favourite games. Each character then invites the child to a challenge at a nearby interactive table. Every challenge is different, encouraging problem-solving and strategic thinking.
“We want children to discover the stories behind every object through play,” said Orlane Lefeuvre, Interpretation and Creative Content Officer at Louvre Abu Dhabi. “Every family will have its own unique experience.”
Outdoor games and giant chess
The fun continues outside with larger-than-life games. Families can step onto The Giant Board, a life-sized chessboard where visitors become part of the game by moving oversized pieces. Roll the Dice challenges players to throw giant dice and add up their scores. Other outdoor games encourage teamwork and friendly competition.
Lefeuvre described the exhibition as a must-do family experience this summer. “Families will discover original board games from different periods while creating memories together,” she said.
Planning your visit
Louvre Abu Dhabi sits on Saadiyat Island and is the largest art museum in the Arabian Peninsula. The Children’s Museum is a dedicated space within the museum designed for younger visitors, with exhibitions that change regularly.
For context, the museum is part of the Saadiyat Cultural District, which Abu Dhabi is developing into a leading destination for art, history and culture. The Children’s Museum runs seasonal exhibitions aimed at families, and A Board Game Adventure is the latest in that series.
The exhibition features 24 objects from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s own collection, along with loans from regional and international museums. This mix of local and borrowed pieces means visitors see artefacts they would not normally find in one place.
The wristband system means every child’s visit is different. Because each scan unlocks content tied to that specific station, siblings can have separate experiences even when walking through the same gallery at the same time. The outdoor games give children a chance to stay active while putting the skills they discovered inside the museum into practice.
💬 Which board game from your childhood would you love to see in a museum like this?