Louvre Abu Dhabi has unveiled a new exhibition at its Children’s Museum, inviting families to discover how board games have connected people across cultures for thousands of years. Titled A Board Game Adventure, the exhibition opens on July 18, 2026 and runs until April 2027, launching the museum’s 2026–2027 cultural season with a hands-on exploration of history, art and play.
A 5,000 Year Journey Through Board Games
Created for children aged four to twelve, A Board Game Adventure explores the evolution of board games over the past 5,000 years. The exhibition brings together around 30 artefacts from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection, alongside loans from regional and international institutions, including some of the earliest known board games discovered in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Visitors can trace the origins and global journeys of familiar games such as chess, mancala, ludo and carrom, learning how they travelled across continents while adapting to different cultures. Historical paintings, sculptures and objects reveal that board games have long been more than entertainment they have served as tools for learning, strategy, storytelling and social connection.
Among the highlights is a historical artwork depicting a couple engaged in a game of chess, illustrating how games have brought people together across generations and cultures.
Bringing History to Life Through Interactive Play
Rather than presenting history through traditional displays alone, the exhibition combines rare artefacts with interactive experiences designed to keep young visitors engaged. Digital activities, creative challenges and hands-on learning stations encourage children to explore the galleries while discovering the stories behind the objects on display.
A series of historical and fictional characters guides visitors through the exhibition, with each character linked to a favourite board game as well as a unique strength and weakness. The idea is to help children identify their own “gaming personality” while learning how different games reflect creativity, critical thinking and teamwork.
The exhibition also looks toward the future by introducing a custom-built artificial intelligence opponent, demonstrating how traditional games continue to evolve alongside modern technology.
Celebrating Culture, Learning and Family
A Board Game Adventure is curated by Amine Kharchach, Interpretation and Creative Content Section Head at Louvre Abu Dhabi, together with Orlane Lefeuvre, Interpretation and Creative Content Officer. Supported by the Mubadala Foundation, the exhibition aligns with the UAE’s Year of Family, highlighting the role of museums as spaces where children and adults can learn, play and explore together.
In addition to the exhibition itself, visitors can enjoy guided tours, educational workshops, family learning resources, a multilingual catalogue and a dedicated podcast episode designed to deepen the experience beyond the gallery.
More to Come at Louvre Abu Dhabi
The exhibition marks the beginning of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s wider 2026–2027 programme. Upcoming highlights include Spices and Wonders: Sailing the Indian Ocean, presented in partnership with France’s Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts, the sixth edition of the Art Here exhibition and Richard Mille Art Prize, and Living Legacies, an exhibition developed with ALIPH focusing on protecting cultural heritage in conflict-affected regions.
For families planning a visit to Abu Dhabi, A Board Game Adventure offers a fresh way to experience history through play. By combining ancient artefacts with interactive technology and storytelling, Louvre Abu Dhabi has created an exhibition that shows how board games have connected communities for thousands of years and continue to inspire new generations today.
