In a study done by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 65% of seniors think board games help them connect with other people. In the same study, 45% of seniors said they wanted to play more board games than they currently do.
The question is: which are the best board games for seniors? Which games have easy setups and play mechanics so everyone can join in without any barriers? Are there games that have more benefits than socialization and fun?
To help you in your search, our team at Addington Place of Collinsville put together this simple guide. We'll show you the top 7 board games that are quick to introduce, keep players engaged, and have many mental benefits. Keep reading so you can add them to your gaming collection!
When it comes to cognitive games for seniors, few give your cognitive function a workout as well as Trivial Pursuit. It's a mental challenge that keeps you thinking and strategizing the entire time. You'll work on skills such as:
If you feel intimidated by the idea of playing a game based solely on your knowledge of trivia, pick one of the specialized editions of this game.
There are many versions, including ones that focus on a specific decade. It's more fun to play a game of Trivial Pursuit when you are more confident about the era or category in question.
Most people can picture Tetris, with its falling blocks and quick-thinking strategy. Many can even hear the iconic music tracks that go along with the game.
Did you know there's a tabletop version of this colorful game?
Although the gameplay is a little different, it's still Tetris at its heart. You'll recreate the experience of playing Tetris on a screen, which means this version should always be on the list of fun games for seniors.
Each player gets a clear standing board, and access to plastic tiles that make up the typical Tetris shapes we all know and love. You'll drop the chosen block into the board and continue building from there. There are even many ways to keep the game fresh, from achieving bonus points and adding challenges to each round.
If there's a person in your life who loves Tetris, you can't ignore the nostalgic lure of this particular board game.
If you're looking for easy games for elderly players, checkers is the way to go. With only a handful of rules to remember and limited ways for pieces to move, the game of checkers is perfect for people of all ages.
The best part is that it's deceptively simplistic. To win, you'll need to play with a lot of creativity, ingenuity, and strategy to outmaneuver your opponent. Each round will feel different from the last as you continue to build your skill to defeat the person across from you.
With the board of this game being a beautiful map of America, you already know you're in for a fun time. Ticket to Ride may have several pieces to manage, but it's easier than you might think.
You'll collect train cards to build your railway from one city to another before your opponents take the area. It takes planning and problem-solving to build your railway and achieve the most points.
If you ever feel like taking a ride somewhere else, there are other versions to explore, including Europe, Japan, and India.
Word games are great for those looking to enhance their quality of life. They help with skills such as:
Scrabble is often the go-to in a gaming community, but many people find Boggle to be more forgiving and exciting.
With a set of mixed alphabet dice arranged in a grid, you play this game much like a word search. Write down the words you see within the allotted time and try to find more than your opponents.
This is one of those senior board games you could play forever and never have the same game twice. You'll only improve as you play and it has a gentle competitiveness to it that can be addicting.
Plus, if you want to challenge yourself and your community further, there are two other versions available. Big Boggle and Super Big Boggle increase the timer and the size of the board so you can come up with even more words.
Although it sometimes gets a bad reputation, Monopoly can be an exciting game. Since many people have played the game at least once in their lives, teaching those who haven't can make it an easy game to jump into.
The rules are fairly easy so it's not difficult to keep track of everything. It also can aid in improving math and cognitive skills.
If your community is against the idea of Monopoly, take a look at the other versions. From traveling stamps to card games, there are a variety of ways to play Monopoly that can bring back fun memories without frustration.
Werewords is part of a unique genre of social games for seniors. You'll work together to ask yes or no questions to another player until you narrow down the secret keyword. The twist is that there will be another person trying to steer the group away from the correct answer, and you'll need to work as a team to stay on track.
With its focus on cooperation, social analysis, and a little bit of deception, Werewords is the kind of game you could spend hours playing with other seniors.
With these games, seniors can focus on having a great time rather than thoughts of loneliness or boredom. The thing to remember is that the best board games for seniors are the ones that keep their minds active and help them solidify their position in a loving community.
Our Addington Place of Collinsville community encourages seniors to engage in games all the time. Whether you join a club, participate in a gaming event, or work on a game in the comfort of our hotel-like amenities, our team is here to support you. Contact us today, and we'll give you a personal tour!