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20 Fun Games to Play with Seniors

November 29, 2023 by Lighthouse Editor

four seniors sitting around a table playing a card game together

Games have a remarkable way of transcending age, creating bonds, and fostering joy, making them an ideal activity for people of all ages. Solo games like solitaire, sudoku, and crossword puzzles offer numerous brain benefits, but multiplayer games truly shine, fostering similar cognitive benefits as solo games while also offering camaraderie, friendly competition, and shared laughter among players. If you’re looking for engaging activities, consider these 20 fun games to play with seniors indoors.

 

Puzzle Games

Studies have shown that regularly playing puzzles and brain games can slow down age-related cognitive decline by as much as five years. Here are some puzzle games for seniors that anyone can enjoy:

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles can help enhance short-term memory and spatial reasoning. Since they require combining various shapes and colors to form a coherent image, they help encourage brain function and fine motor skills.

Cranium 

Cranium is a fantastic game for promoting social interaction and teamwork. It involves various tasks across different categories, encouraging seniors to communicate, strategize, and work together, strengthening their social bonds and emotional well-being.

Pictionary

Pictionary is a great game for seniors because it triggers imagination, enhances vocabulary, and fosters a lively and engaging atmosphere.

Bananagrams

Like Scrabble, Bananagrams is a word-building game that can improve vocabulary, promote quick thinking, and enhance cognitive flexibility as seniors form interconnecting words in a race against time.

Hangman

By challenging players to guess a hidden word letter by letter, Hangman encourages deductive reasoning and boosts short-term memory as players must remember which letters have already been guessed.

Card Games

Card games also offer many benefits for seniors. Regularly engaging in these games can improve memory, strategic thinking, and social interaction, potentially slowing age-related cognitive decline. Here are some card games you can enjoy with older friends and relatives:

Rummy

A game of both chance and skill, Rummy requires players to form sets or runs of cards, enhancing strategic thinking and planning. It stimulates the brain by requiring players to remember the cards picked up and discarded, thus improving memory and focus.

Bridge

Bridge is a complex card game that promotes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. It involves bidding, playing, and scoring phases, each requiring different strategies and providing a comprehensive mental workout.

Hearts

When playing Hearts, players must remember which cards have been played and strategize based on this information, boosting memory and mental flexibility.

Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights is an easy-to-learn game that requires strategy and planning. Players must eliminate their cards by matching the number or suit of the previously played card, promoting pattern recognition and decision-making skills.

Uno

Uno is a fun and engaging game that enhances color and number recognition, strategic thinking, and social interaction. The game’s fast pace can also improve reaction times and cognitive agility.

Board Games & Dice Games

Board and dice games prompt intellectual abilities such as strategic thinking, memory recall, and problem-solving. They can also maintain fine motor skills through physical actions and provide opportunities for social interaction, making it easier to adjust to senior living. Here are some popular games to play with seniors:

Scrabble

Scrabble helps improve spelling, word recall, and strategic thinking, and it’s easy to play nearly anywhere, at any time. If you can’t meet with your loved one in person, you can play Scrabble (or a similar word game) with them virtually.

Chess/Checkers

There’s a reason these classic games are still top-rated. Chess has complex moves and strategies that stimulate both sides of the brain, but if you don’t know how to play Chess, Checkers is simpler and still encourages strategic planning and cognitive flexibility.

Bunco

Bunco is a fun dice game that promotes social interaction and quick thinking. It involves rolling dice and keeping score, helping to improve hand-eye coordination, number recognition, and mental agility. The simplicity of the rules makes it easy for seniors to learn and enjoy.

Dominoes

Dominoes is a game that enhances strategic thinking, pattern recognition, and basic math skills. It involves matching numbered tiles and requires players to plan their moves carefully and adapt to the game’s progression.

Clue

In Clue, players must gather clues and make educated guesses to solve a mystery, activating their critical thinking and memory recall abilities.

Other Fun Games to Play with Seniors

Bingo

A timeless classic, Bingo is an exciting game and a fantastic way to keep the mind agile. Its simple rules and social nature make it an ideal choice for gatherings. Plus, the thrill of shouting ‘Bingo!’ never gets old.

Charades

Playing charades is a wonderful way for seniors to stay active and engaged, and it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase their hidden acting talents!

Memory

Matching pairs of cards can be a gentle and effective way to enhance memory recall and concentration skills.

Name that tune

Bring on the nostalgia with a game of Name That Tune. It’s a delightful way to reminisce about the good old days while testing your memory.

Trivia Games

Who doesn’t love a good trivia challenge? Trivia games can provide a fantastic mental workout and cover various topics, from history to pop culture. They’re a great way to keep learning and sharing knowledge while sparking social engagement. 

Enjoy a Game or Two at Lighthouse

At Lighthouse Senior Living, we understand that playing games can improve memory skills and problem-solving skills and enhance a person’s overall quality of life. That’s why there is always a wide variety of games available for our residents. We invite you to explore our community, join us for a game night, and see firsthand the vibrant, engaging environment we’ve created for our seniors. Contact us today.

Filed Under: News of Note

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