In this article, we’ll talk about some of the best board games for older adults.
We will separate more traditional games from more contemporary games; this is significant in determining which games are better for specific older adults who might find it difficult to pick up newer games.
You have many options to start your search for the best games from which to choose.
If you’re hosting a gathering with people you haven’t seen in a while or attending a holiday party, board games are a great way to break the ice.
Finding the perfect game for you and your friends can be challenging, though, because there are so many options available, ranging from social games that involve singing or drawing to strategy board games.
Even though we have previously written about board games, this article will focus on some of the best board games for older adults.
1. Scrabble
Word-board game Scrabble has long been a beloved classic. When famous architect Alfred Mosher Butts was looking for a way to make ends meet in 1938, he invented the game.
He created Scrabble so that players could combine chance and skill in one game.
Hasbro Gaming, one of the titans in the game manufacturing industry, produces the Scrabble game.
One hundred wooden letters, four tile racks, and a drawstring letter bag are all included with the board.
Furthermore, when all the letters from the bag have been drawn and played with, the objective is to accumulate the possible points.
Utilizing scoring hotspots and using all of your tiles in a single turn will earn you bonus points.
We advise Scrabble for seniors, making it one of the best board games for older adults because studies show it significantly lowers the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Fighting the onset of these mental illnesses is never too late. Additionally, playing board games with your grandparents is a ton of fun.
2. Chess
Millions of people play this board game of strategy all over the world. Chess is a great game to practice problem-solving and strategic thinking.
The main goal is to irretrievably checkmate or capture your opponent’s king piece. To win the game, you can use many different strategies.
Chess has been played for centuries and is still a favorite among many. Chess is unquestionably a game that can be considered more “classic” than Scrabble.
The “Chaturanga” Indian strategy game, which dates back to before the 7th century, is where this game got its start.
The checkered board used in the two-player game of chess has 64 squares in an 8 by 8 grid.
Moreover, for those unfamiliar with the game’s rules, the objective is to corner your opponent’s king in an impasse to checkmate it.
Chess players with their king “in check” (at risk of capture) and no way to stop the attack are said to be in a checkmate position. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
3. Yahtzee
For those who enjoy playing dice games, Yahtzee is a lot of fun.
Yatzie was the name given to it at first by the National Association Service of Toledo (Ohio), who designed and produced it.
Hasbro, the same manufacturer that makes Monopoly and Scrabble, currently owns it.
To score points by creating certain combinations is the only simple goal of the game. To make the combinations, you must roll the dice and keep the dice in the box.
Each game consists of 13 rounds, and following each round; players must decide which scoring categories to apply.
However, remember that a scoring category cannot be used again for the remainder of the game once it has been used.
Also, the player with the most points at the end is declared the winner.
Yahtzee is frequently suggested for senior citizens because it maintains mental acuity and guards against age-related cognitive decline.
This board game is one of the best board games for older adults.
4. Checkers
Checkers is not only a fun game to play but also very beneficial for everyone’s logic and cognitive abilities.
Also, Checkers is an additional two-player strategy game that is similar to chess.
Also, the goal is to remove all of your opponent’s game pieces or just enough to prevent further movement. Another century’s favorite game is this one.
5. Boggle
Boggle is yet another item made by Hasbro Gaming, although Parker Brothers were the game’s first distributor.
Allan Turoff’s word game aims to produce as many words as possible in the allotted time and according to the rules.
Furthermore, players must shake the covered dice before setting them in a 4 by 4 tray to begin the game.
Each cube’s top letter should be visible since this is where the words will originate.
The timer then begins, and each player lists all the words they can make out of the letters on the dice (vertically, horizontally, and diagonally). This board game is one of the best board games for older adults.
Players are not permitted to use the same letter cube more than once per word, and the words must have at least three letters.
Everyone should stop writing when the timer goes off, and the words are then scored according to length.
But keep in mind that any exact words—those written by two or more players—are removed before scoring starts.
6. Bingo
Take your cards, sit down, and wait for the appropriate numbers to be called before yelling, “BINGO!” Bingo is a well-known, enjoyable game that keeps players entertained for hours.
Anywhere can be used to play this game. The main goal is to get every number on your board before anyone else can.
Although there are other options, that is the most typical. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
7. Mancala
A game that has been played for countless years and still keeps people entertained.
The game’s object is to collect as many stones as possible while denying your opponent any additional moves.
It is an excellent game for developing critical thinking abilities as you devise strategies to defeat your opponent. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
8. Big Letter Bananagrams
This Big Letter version of Bananagrams will feel very familiar if you are familiar with the simple version.
This one and the original only differ in the size of the bigger letters, and the contrast of the tiles is increased to make it easier for players with low vision and elderly players to see.
You need to build words vertically or horizontally or on the board until there are no more letter tiles available.
Once no more letters are drawn, the winner is whoever has used all of their letters first. However, you must shout “Bananas!” to be declared the winner.
The 85-year-old Chicago resident with macular degeneration served as the inspiration for the big letter version.
Although he enjoyed playing Bananagrams, his vision issues made it difficult to do so comfortably.
The maker of the word game made the big letter version because macular degeneration is the main cause of vision loss in older people.
Furthermore, the American Macular Degeneration Foundation receives a donation from this game’s sales.
The manufacturer wants to assist the group in its goal of helping people in having a better vision. This board game is one of the best board games for older adults.
9. Jenga
Jenga is the perfect game if you want something more “hands-on”! The goal is not to destroy the building.
This is finished by removing the blocks from the framework and stacking them on top.
The winner is the last person to successfully stack a block on top of the construction without falling.
Both manual dexterity and fine motor skills are enhanced by it. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
10. Ticket to Rides
Older adults who enjoy exploration and travel will enjoy Ticket to Ride.
Also, It is a game that will help them remember their childhood vacations, especially to cities and locations in North America.
This game is a good choice if you’re looking for the ideal board game with a travel theme for them.
Each player’s objective in this game is to connect the railways that connect the cities of North America by matching train cards and completing objectives and missions.
This board game’s playtime is between 30 and 60 minutes and is intended for two to five players.
Furthermore, we suggest this game to older adults because it keeps their minds sharp and active.
They can also play it with their grandchildren while teaching them about the cities and locations in North America.
11. Mahjong
Mahjong has been around for centuries and is still enjoyed by players of all ages, especially seniors, as a fun and strategic game.
It even has amazing memory and strategy-boosting advantages. Everything you need is included in the set, including a carrying case and tiles, and dice.
All you need to do to win the game is obtain mahjong, which consists of four sets and one pair (a total of 14 tiles). This is one of the best board games for older adults.
12. Dominoes
I don’t know about you, but we’ve found that playing dominoes helps us unwind and clear our minds.
It’s ideal for two or more players and encourages interaction between seniors.
With this particular domino set, you can even play Mexican Train Dominoes, a game in which the object is to be the first player to match all of the pieces while forming one or more chains. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
13. Hive
Hive is a captivating, top-rated board game that can keep anyone occupied and concentrated.
It might appear difficult to handle, but it is suggested for players of all ages, including the elderly.
The objective is to watch over your hive and attempt to dethrone the other team’s queen bee.
The absence of a starting board makes this game intriguing. So that the pieces can build the board, you must strategize and play them carefully.
You try to encircle the queen bee on the other side as you place your pieces. At the same time, you must be certain to safeguard your own.
Furthermore, this game is intended for players who are eight years of age and older, according to the manufacturer.
Most customers concur that it is excellent for seniors because it maintains mental sharpness. Your grandparents will undoubtedly love this unusual game.
14. Monopoly
The timeless board game Monopoly is appropriate for both adults and senior citizens. This is because it involves both strategy and a game of chance.
Also, each player attempts to buy, sell, and trade properties to own everything, starting with a small amount of money eventually. Players must simultaneously look for ways to defeat their rivals.
Since it is a strategy game, Monopoly is great for honing problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Elders will also undoubtedly enjoy this game because they have the experience and knowledge needed to succeed. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
15. Clue
Due to its ability to accommodate three to six players, Clue is a fantastic game with positive social effects.
Since the main goal is to correctly guess where, how, and by whom they committed a crime, it is ideal for enhancing critical thinking abilities. Everyone will need clarification on this game.
15. Battleship
Battleship is a strategy game where players try to take out the opponent’s ship fleet while loosely based on military tactics.
The opposing player cannot see the precise locations because each player has covered their board, but they alternately make educated guesses about each ship’s location coordinates.
This game is excellent for honing logic skills and developing critical thinking abilities. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
16. Trivial Pursuit
Trivial Pursuit is a game that will test your grandparents’ general knowledge.
There are 400 cards in this vintage rendition of the game; one die, six wedge holders, and 36 wedges. There are 2,400 total trivia questions.
We adore this board game because it includes questions from the classic version. It also features well-known and beloved classic gameplay.
Seniors will be able to comprehend the game’s mechanics easily. They will also appreciate the questions because many are from their time period.
17. Chinese Checkers
Chinese Checkers, also referred to as Sternhalma, is another strategic board game that aims to see who can get all of their pieces “home” first.
The game Marbles and this one have very similar concepts, but this one has different layouts, strategies, and variations. For players of all ages, it is an enjoyable game!
18. Cranium
The “Game for Your Whole Brain” is called Cranium. Whit Alexander and Richard Talt designed and produced it in its initial form in 1998, but Hasbro later developed and produced it. There are numerous mental and physical challenges in this board game.
All players get a chance to showcase their skills during the game. Furthermore, creative Cat, Star Performer, Data Head, and Word Worm are color-coded categories.
Each team chooses a card from one of the categories on the board, and their objective is to complete all of the tasks under that category.
Also, the winner is the player who completes the final goal while in the “central” space.
The 600 playing cards, 4 mover pieces, Cranium Clay, timer, die, and notepad is all included with the board game.
A beginner’s instruction manual is also included. Although it is suggested that players be at least 16 years old, you can play it with younger players under the supervision of an adult.
Since Cranium requires physical and mental actions, it is also a good fit for seniors.
Seniors who use it can exercise both their bodies and minds. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
19. Sequence
With the ability to be played by two to twelve players, Sequence is ideal for those looking to play with others for increased social interaction.
The game’s goal is to arrange five poker chips in a row on the board, which is consistent with the game’s name.
They must be related to both the card and the color. It is an excellent game for strategy, thinking, and interpersonal interaction. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
20. Qwirkle
If you’ve ever played Scrabble and Dominoes, Qwirkle should be fairly simple.
Despite not being a word game or a number game, it pursues the same objective as these other two games.
Here, you are attempting to construct a complicated arrangement and pattern of figures and building blocks.
There are 108 wooden blocks in the game, and they are all different colors and shapes.
Each player creates combinations and designs using their own set of blocks. The higher the score, the more a tile touches other pieces with the same properties.
It’s referred to as a “Qwirkle” if you create a line containing every color and shape. You significantly raise your score and raise your likelihood of winning.
Elderly players who enjoy simple, easy-to-follow games are advised to try Qwirkle.
The rules are easy to understand, and there are no complicated instructions. With room for up to four players, it’s ideal for a quick get-together with your closest friends.
21. Chronology
The study of chronology is a combination of memory and guessing games.
It puts your knowledge of timelines and important events to the test, as the name would imply.
You should be fine with it if you are exceptionally good at dates and general knowledge or are familiar with history.
Due to its simple rules, the game is fairly simple to play. Only “guess” or “know” where or when a historical event falls in your timeline.
If your prediction is accurate, you get to keep the card. If you are incorrect, the following player after you has a chance to win the card.
The game has 429 double-sided cards, which adds up to a total of 858 events. Whoever arranges 10 cards into a timeline wins.
To determine who takes second place, third place, etc., the remaining players may continue if they choose.
Furthermore, chronology is a card game, but we’ve included it because seniors can benefit greatly from it.
They can take pleasure in remembering the good old days thanks to this game because they have lived in this world for a long time.
Additionally, it can sharpen their memory and stimulate their brains. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
22. Backgammon
Jiroft, more commonly referred to as contemporary Iran, is where backgammon is thought to have originated.
Being the first to “bear off” or remove all of one’s checkers from the board involves two players.
Although some luck plays a role in the game, you still need to have a solid plan of attack to defeat your opponent.
This game has many variations, including mobile adaptations, card adaptations, and many more. It has been around for centuries.
No matter the version, the objective is always to be the first player to “bear off.”
Furthermore, this timeless game is ideal for senior citizens because it fosters analytical abilities.
Additionally, considering how long the game has been around, they likely have played it at some point in their lives!
This board game is one of the best board games for older adults.
23. Rummikub
This game, loosely based on Mahjong and Rummy, calls for strategic and analytical thinking.
Being the first player to remove every tile from the rack—or playing until no one else can—wins the game.
Players are constantly challenged to move their tiles on the board. This contemporary game combines tiles and numbers.
With the blending of two well-known favorites, it will make any senior smile. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
24. Catan
Today’s players love playing this game more and more. Players build settlements to play, scoring points for development, possessions, and resources.
The idea is comparable to Monopoly because it emphasizes economic, strategic thinking.
Although there are various versions, they all share the same idea. Because it is simple to learn and play for players of all ages, including seniors, Catan is gaining popularity.
25. Sorry
Do you frequently apologize while trying to defeat your opponents? This game adds enjoyment.
As you race your opponents, bump them out of the way, and saunter into your own space, you apologize just before you triumph.
This game is ideal for socializing because it can accommodate up to four players.
This contemporary board game is fun for seniors of any age. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
26. Apples to Apples
Do you know what it means to compare apples to apples? This board game accomplishes that.
Each round begins with a player drawing a red description card. The player who makes the best comparison to the green communal card wins the round.
Being the player with the most comparisons is the objective. Up to ten players can participate in this game, which is enjoyable for all ages.
It is ideal for fostering interpersonal relationships, stimulating creative thought, and having fun. This is one of the best board games for older adults.
27. Risk
A game where you can use military strategy to win battles and subjugate foes. Risk is a game that demands strategic and analytical thinking to defeat adversaries within your domain.
Depending on what each player is interested in, there are four different ways to play this game: Classic, Two-player, Secret Mission, or Capital.
Either way, your objective is to defeat opponents and seize control of every area.
