Whether you like board games or not, there’s no denying that it’s a great way to spend time with family and friends. It seems people are spending less and less quality time together these days. We’re constantly glued to our smartphones, televisions, and other screens. Not only does it make us distracted, but also makes us feel lonely. Playing a board game is a great way to enjoy each other’s company while having fun at the same time. It helps strengthen your bonds with those around you.
Playing board games has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function. It has been shown that playing video games can have a calming effect and reduce stress, both of which are important in maintaining healthy blood pressure. Games that call for hand-eye coordination and finger agility can be especially beneficial for seniors.
Key Takeaways
- The key to being a good board game player is to have fun with the people you’re playing with.
- Board games are a great way to stay active and social in your golden years.
- Look for games that are easy to learn and easy to set up. Trying to learn a complicated game is frustrating for everyone, so look for games that have simple rules and quick setup times.
Benefits of Board Games for Seniors and the Elderly
opens in a new windowBoard games are a great way to stay social and connect with friends, family, and even new people. Board games can help seniors and the elderly connect with other players and strengthen their communication skills.
These Board games are also a great way to reduce stress, which is important for senior citizens who may be at risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Playing board games can also help seniors stay mentally active, improve memory recall, and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by years.
According to research, a board game can improve memory and help with age-related memory loss because stimulating the brain via numbers, colors, and shapes can enhance mental acuity.
This is especially true for games like chess, which requires strategy and careful decision-making. Playing a board game with family or friends has also been proven to boost moods, create a sense of community, reduce stress levels, and even improve communication skills among those involved.
What are you waiting for? Play a board game now!
Why Board Games is a great Aging at Home Activity?
Board games are a great way to keep your mind sharp. You’ll have to think fast and make smart decisions, which will help you keep your mind active and alert. It’s also a great way to socialize with friends and family members.
1. Ticket to Ride
In one of my favorite board games; Ticket to Ride, players compete to build the most valuable rail network across North America by amassing and playing matching train cards.
More points are awarded for longer routes.
Players who fulfill their Destination Tickets by constructing a railway between two far-flung cities and the player whose railway runs the furthest without a break both receive bonus points.
This is one of the main reasons why opens in a new windowTicket to Ride has become so popular: it is great for gamers of all ages. It’s extremely well-paced, with an excellent mix of chance and strategy. A single action per turn means that the game moves quickly and there is little downtime.
Board games, such as Scrabble, boggle, and Chess, are great for teaching kids how to think strategically. Not only do they learn how to make wise decisions, but these activities also help them build relationships with other players.
2. Boggle
In the word game opens in a new windowBoggle, players race against the clock to make as many words as they can out of the exposed letters in a 16-cube grid.
Allan Turoff created the word game Boggle, which was published by Parker Brothers. Words are found by rolling a series of dice with adjacent letters, and the game is played with a plastic grid of lettered dice.
Board games like these are a great way to spend time with family and friends. They can provide hours of entertainment, while also allowing people to interact in a friendly competitive atmosphere.
3. Connect Four
opens in a new windowConnect Four is a game of strategy and skill. Players take turns dropping chips into the board, trying to connect four of their colors in a row before their opponent does. The first person to complete this wins!
It’s an incredibly easy game to learn, but one that takes time to master—the more you play, the better you’ll get at it. This makes it perfect for people who may be new to board games or even those who don’t know how to read yet! It’s also great for families with children who can help teach them how to play.
And because it’s such a simple game, it can be played anywhere at any time. You can play on the floor or at a table—it doesn’t matter where!
4. Hive
opens in a new windowHive is one of the best board games for older adults because it’s fun, challenging, and easy to learn. The object of the game is to surround your opponent’s queen bee with your own bees and then get them back to your hive. There are several ways to do this, so you can be strategic or just try to guess what your opponent will do next. The game requires strategy, memory, and a little bit of luck—all skills that older adults need as they age.
Hive is also good for older adults because it’s a cooperative game rather than a competitive one. This means that while you’re playing against your opponents, you’re also working together toward the same goal: winning the game! If everyone wins together, everyone feels good about themselves! This can help improve self-esteem in older adults who may feel less confident about their abilities as they age.
5. Trivial Pursuit
opens in a new windowTrivial Pursuit is a game that can be played by anyone, regardless of age. It can be played at any time, and it does not require any special equipment or setting. The game is based on general knowledge and trivia questions that are more likely to come up in conversation than many other trivia games.
This makes Trivial Pursuit ideal aging-at-home activity for those who are retired from work or those who have trouble getting out of the house due to their health. Trivial Pursuit allows players to interact with each other and engage in conversation about current events and pop culture, which helps keep them engaged in society and feeling like they are still part of the world around them.
6. Rummikub
opens in a new windowRummikub is a great game for ages 8 and up. Players take turns drawing and discarding tiles, forming melds, and building runs. It’s a simple, fast-paced game that can be enjoyed by anyone with a passion for playing cards.
The game is based on the rules of mahjong, with some additional elements of rummy thrown in. The goal is to get rid of all your tiles before your opponents do. You can use any combination of matching tiles to make your hand (including wild cards) as long as it meets the minimum requirement: two groups of three identical tiles and one group of four or more identical tiles.
So why not try out Rummikub when you’re looking for an activity that will help keep your mind sharp?
7. Checkers
Playing checkers is a great way to keep your mind sharp as you age. opens in a new windowCheckers is a game where you have to think about how to move your pieces around the board in a strategic way. It’s also a game that will help you with hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and memory skills. Playing checkers will help keep your mind sharp while giving you an opportunity to socialize with friends and family members.
8. Sorry!
The traditional Indian game of cross and circle, Pachisi, served as inspiration for the creation of the board game opens in a new windowSorry! The players control three or four pieces each, which they move around the board in an effort to bring all of their pieces “home” before any other player does so.
9. Apples to Apples
The comparison game known as “ opens in a new windowApples to Apples” is always a good time. Comparing identical things is as simple as comparing apples to apples. The only thing left to do is take the cards out of the box and start dealing. Choose a card from your hand that you believe best fits the description given by a card that has been played by the judge.
10. Backgammon
The game of opens in a new windowbackgammon is a classic tabletop game that anyone can learn. It’s also a great activity to do with your family and loved ones, so it’s perfect for aging at home.
The rules are easy to follow and there are no required pieces to play it—just a board and two dice. Backgammon is also easy on the eyes, so if you have difficulty seeing or trouble focusing on small details, this might be an excellent choice for you.
Backgammon relies heavily on math skills, which can help improve cognitive function in older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also great for improving problem-solving skills, which is important for those who may be dealing with memory loss.
11. Marbles
opens in a new windowMarbles are a great way to keep your loved one active and engaged while at home. Playing games with marbles can help them to stay active, which helps to prevent the onset of dementia and other age-related illnesses.
Games with marbles also help to improve your loved one’s hand-eye coordination, which is something that declines as people age. If your loved one has trouble with their vision or dexterity, you can play a game that uses small pebbles instead of marbles.
12. Qwirkle
opens in a new windowQwirkle is a fun board game that has been around since 2011. It’s a great aging-at-home activity because it’s easy to set up, and the rules are simple enough that someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s can easily grasp them.
The goal of Qwirkle is to make rows of six tiles with matching shapes and colors, but you must only use tiles from your hand. There are no turns in this game—everyone plays at once! The scoring system is also very straightforward: every time you place a tile on the board, you get points equal to the number of tiles in your row.
If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your loved one at home, Qwirkle is a great option!
13. Scrabble
opens in a new windowScrabble is one of the best word games for seniors because it helps them stay mentally and physically active. It also encourages communication with other people and rewards those who learn new words.
The game is fun and easy to play, so it’s a great way to spend time with your loved ones.
Scrabble can also help seniors develop their vocabulary, and exercise cognitive skills by learning new words or simply by trying to spell words correctly.
14. Dixit
Jean-Louis Roubira is credited with the creation of the French card game opens in a new windowDixit. The game was published by Libellud and featured illustrations by Marie Cardouat. Using a deck of cards depicting surreal images, players choose cards from the deck that corresponds to a title that has been suggested by the “storyteller,” and then they attempt to guess which card the “storyteller” chose.
15. Scattergories
opens in a new windowScattergories is a fun, fast-paced game that’s great for aging at home. It’s easy to learn, and the rules are simple. The game isn’t as complex as some other board games, so it’s perfect for people who want to play but don’t want to spend their time learning how to play.
Scattergories also have a lot of replay value. Each round is different than the last because you’re filling in blanks with answers that aren’t on the list (and they aren’t always easy). So even if you’ve played it a hundred times before, each time you’ll have a different experience!
Plus, there’s something about Scattergories that just makes everyone feel like kids again—it has that feel-good quality that makes it such an engaging and fun pastime at home.
16. Risk
opens in a new windowRisk is a game for two to six players that combines elements of diplomacy, conflict, and conquest into a single board game. The traditional board features a political map of the world, with the sixty-two individual territories organized into six continents. Players take turns rolling the dice to determine the outcome of their attempts to capture territories from other players using armies of playing pieces. Allegiances among players can be formed and broken at any time during play.
The object of the game is to eliminate all of the other players by occupying all of the territories on the board. The length of the game can range from a few hours to several days. In European adaptations, players have shorter “secret mission” objectives to focus on, which ends up shortening the game.
17. Catan
Klaus Teuber created the multiplayer board game opens in a new windowCatan, formerly known as The Settlers of Catan or just Settlers. Originally titled The Settlers of Catan, it was released in 1995 by German publisher Franckh-Kosmos Verlag (Kosmos). Players assume the roles of pioneers, competing to expand their holdings through the use of trade and resource acquisition. As players develop their cities, they amass victory points; the first player to ten points or some other threshold wins.
18. Spontaneous
This is a great option for game nights with the kids or a group of friends. This is taken so seriously by some that it has evolved into a drinking game. Either way, you’ll be in stitches for hours thanks to opens in a new windowspontaneous, and you’ll want more of it.
When one person says a word, everyone else has to quickly come up with a song that includes that word.
The Tunesmith starts the game by turning the timer and announcing a Trigger Word from the Hit List. The first player to begin singing wins, but only if he or she successfully sings at least five words that include the Trigger-Word. If the Trigger-Word was “dawn,” for instance, the first player to start singing a five-word portion of lyrics from any song containing the word “dawn” would win the round.
19. Yahtzee
The traditional dice game opens in a new windowYahtzee calls for five cubes. On their turn, players can roll the dice up to three times in the hopes of landing on one of thirteen possible outcomes. Three-of-a-kind, four-of-a-kind, straight, full house, etc. are all examples of different types of hands. Every participant does their best to give a score in every category, but this isn’t always the case. At the conclusion of the game, players’ total scores are compared based on whether they entered a score or a zero for each of the game’s 13 categories.
20. Chess
opens in a new windowChess, a classic board game, is a great game for seniors to play because it’s a strategy game that requires mental agility and attention. It also helps with memory, which is an important aspect of aging.
In addition, playing board games like these, helps seniors feel like they are still active and involved in life.
When playing chess, you must focus on your opponent’s moves as well as your own. This helps keep the mind alert and active, which can help prevent the mental decline associated with aging. In addition, playing chess teaches players about foresight and planning ahead, which are skills that are useful for any age group.
21. Big Boggle
Modern Board games like opens in a new windowbig boggle are a great Aging Home activity because they can help you keep your mind active and engaged. When you play board games, you are using your brain to solve problems, plan strategies, and think critically. This can improve your memory and reduce the risk of cognitive decline as you age.
The best part about playing board games is that it’s fun! Playing with friends or family members can also be an excellent way to socialize and connect with others. Board games are also relatively inexpensive compared to other activities such as going out to dinner or taking a class at a local community center.
22. Monopoly
opens in a new windowMonopoly is a board game that challenges players to make their way around the board, buying up land and building houses, hotels, and other properties. The goal of the game is to bankrupt your opponents by driving them into debt through buying and selling properties.
While it’s not the most intellectually stimulating board game out there, Monopoly can be a great way for seniors who are living at home to spend time with family members or friends. It’s also a great way for seniors to have fun and stay active by playing games with their loved ones.
23. Mahjong
opens in a new windowMahjong is a great game for anyone looking to spend some quality time with their loved ones. It’s easy to learn, but it’s also challenging—the more you play, the better you get at it! And since there are so many different ways to play, you can keep things fresh and exciting by trying out new styles of play every week.
And if that weren’t enough reason to give Mahjong a try, consider this: playing Mahjong is an excellent way to help stay mentally sharp as you age. The game requires strategic thinking skills and quick decision-making ability, so it helps keep your mind active and engaged—and that’s something we all need as we get older!
So go ahead and try Mahjong today—we promise you won’t regret it!
24. Battleship
opens in a new windowBattleship is a great game for aging at home because it’s easy to learn and fun for everyone. Even if you’ve never played before, you’ll be able to figure out how to play in no time.
It’s also a great way to get other people involved in your caregiving routine. If you need help getting dressed or doing other daily tasks, you can use Battleship as a way to encourage other family members or friends to pitch in.
Battleship is also great for cognitive stimulation and mental stimulation. It’s one of those games that forces you to think about things in new ways—which is good for keeping your brain sharp!
25. Qwirkle
Qwirkle is a fun, easy-to-learn game that’s great for all ages. It requires players to match different shapes on their tiles and can be played by two to four people. The object of the game is to create runs (three or more similar tiles) in order to score points. It’s also a great way for parents and kids to spend time together—especially if they’re looking for something educational but not too stressful!
26. Telestrations
opens in a new windowTelestrations is a fun game that’s great for parties and family gatherings. It’s similar to the popular game “telephone” and involves players drawing words and phrases on their own boards. Then, they pass those boards around the group so everyone can see what others drew. The goal is to guess what was originally drawn before another player gets theirs back!
27. Dominoes
opens in a new windowDominoes is a classic game that’s fun for all ages. There are many variations to the game, but the most common way to play is by matching up different combinations of dominos (two-sided tiles with dots on each side). The goal is to line up as many tiles in a row or column before your opponent does!
28. Chronology
opens in a new windowChronology is a fun game that tests your ability to think ahead. Players take turns placing cards face down on the table (or in a designated area) and then revealing them one at a time. If you’re playing with an adult, try making each round more challenging by increasing the number of cards in play or adding more players!
29. Cranium
opens in a new windowCranium is a fun and unique game to play with kids because it encourages creativity, teamwork, and brain power. Players take turns drawing cards that have different tasks or rules on them (like “Act Like a Fruit”). You can also play with your child by taking turns drawing cards together!
30. Big Letter Bananagrams
opens in a new windowBig Letter Bananagrams is a fun, unique twist on the traditional Boggle game. Players take turns placing tiles on the board and trying to create words. This version comes with a special set of letter tiles that have big letters on them, making it easier for young kids to read!
31. Clue
The goal of the game is to figure out who was responsible for the murder of the game’s victim, as well as the location of the crime and the weapon that was used. Each player takes on the role of one of the six potential killers and tries to figure out who the real killer is by moving around a game board that depicts the rooms of a mansion in a strategic manner and gathering information about the murder from the other players. The goal is to figure out who the killer is.
As a part of the opens in a new windowCluedo franchise, many video games, books, movies, television shows, and even a musical have been made available to the public. There have been multiple spinoffs released, each featuring a unique cast of additional characters, weapons, and environments, as well as alternate gameplay. The original game is referred to as the “Classic Detective Game,” while the various spinoffs have their own unique catchphrases to differentiate themselves from one another.
These board games are some of the best according to recommendations from our customers. If you’re looking for hours of fun, these are the games to get! Start with one and see if it’s right for you – we guarantee satisfaction and a great time with friends or family.
Board games for seniors FAQs
Are board games good for seniors?
Memory loss can be prevented by playing games that improve one’s cognitive abilities, such as board or card games. Brain stimulation can be achieved through the use of active mental challenges such as working with numbers, letters, and shapes. To summarize, senior citizens who play games can maintain their mental agility.
What is the most classic board game?
We think it’s one of the most classic board games. It has been played for centuries and has received critical acclaim for its high level of strategy, so it’s no surprise that it’s still a favorite today.
What is a fun game to play with older adults?
Older adults love having fun and being social, which is what makes board games so great. Board games allow you to play with others, which is important for older adults who may have lost friends or family members. They can also help stimulate the mind, which can help improve memory loss or dementia symptoms.
What is the most fun board game for seniors?
The best board games for seniors are the ones that are easy to understand and play.
Boggle, for example, is a great game for older adults. It’s a word game where you have to find words within groups of letters. It’s fun because it challenges your brain to think creatively and come up with new words, but it also requires simple strategy—you can’t just guess at words and hope they’re there. You have to use those clues to make educated guesses about what might be in the letters.
Monopoly is another great choice for seniors. It’s similar to Boggle in that you need a certain level of concentration, but it has more complex rules—and it’s not as easy as finding words in a grid! You’ll have to buy properties, build on them by taking turns rolling dice, and trade with other players if you want to win. But all these things are possible with practice; this isn’t something where you need any prior knowledge of strategy or economics.
What is the most loved board game by seniors?
Scrabble is the most loved board game by seniors.
This is because it helps them to keep their minds active and sharp, while also having fun. It also helps them to stay social, which is important as they get older.
Conclusion
Playing board games is an excellent way to open your family up to more creative and expressive activities. It provides an opportunity for many different types of individuals to interact and engage with one another in a non-threatening environment, as well as offers a way to stimulate creativity and imagination in young children.
As you can see, there are a number of great board games that seniors can enjoy. These games provide an opportunity for social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and fun. If you’re looking for more ideas on how to make the most of your retirement, give me a call or schedule a free consultation. I’d be happy to chat with you about your unique situation and share some additional resources.
