The Most Popular Board Games for Seniors (2023)
Board games for seniors are one of the most entertaining and engaging group activities around. As we grow older, we must improve our mental and cognitive functions by engaging in puzzles, board games, and brain teasers.Â
Seniors can prevent various types of dementia like Alzheimer’s by staying mentally active. Board games can provide seniors with various physical, cognitive, and social benefits that can contribute to seniors overall health and well-being. Board games offer an excellent opportunity for seniors to socialize with friends and family members, which is essential for their mental and emotional well-being. Besides, playing board games can help seniors improve their cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. We have picked the best board games for seniors and loved ones!
What Are the Best Board Games for Seniors to Play?
Choosing the best board games for seniors can be challenging because of many factors. Professionals believe that one should consider a few factors before making a shortlist for the next board games for seniors to try. After all, games can improve cognitive skills and help seniors’ minds stay sharp.
We’re going to take a look at the most popular board games that have been at the top of the most played games of the past few years.Â
1. Dixit: A Board Game for Seniors who Enjoy Poetry and Arts
Dixit is a board game about telling stories. This board game is not only a fun and engaging game for seniors, but it also offers significant social skills benefits. It promotes empathy and creativity—an excellent match for individuals who find specific skills difficult. If you love literature, poetry, and arts, this game is for you!
Players choose cards from a deck of cards with dreamy pictures that match a title supplied by the “storyteller” and try to guess which card the “storyteller” chose. The tricky part is that if everyone or no one thinks correctly, the storyteller loses points, so they have to be subtle with their ideas.
2. Bananagrams (Big Letter Version)
Bananagrams is an all-time favourite for the best board games for seniors. The “Big Letter” version of this game benefits from the increased size and contrast of the letters and the pieces, making it easier for people with impaired vision.
The objective and rules of this challenging yet straightforward board game are direct. Players need to continue creating words horizontally or vertically on the board until they have no other spots left to fill with their tiles. After reaching this goal, the first person to have used all their letters needs to shout “Bananas!” before securing their win.
3. Hive: Most Challenging Board Game for Seniors
Bees are one of the most curious cases of our nature, from their hexagon building style to how they interact with one another. Hive is a cognitive-challenging board game inspired by beehives, as you have to focus on your hive while trying to defeat the queen bee of your opponent’s side.
Some might say this game is relatively more complex than other board games, but that’s its idea. It helps seniors’ minds stay sharp and focused while interacting with their friends and loved ones.
4. Yahtzee
Yahtzee is a dice game played with five six-sided dice. Players take turns rolling the dice to get certain types of rolls, each with a specific point value.
All games require a mix of skill and chance for players to win. Certain games, however, require higher levels of skill than others. Contrary to popular belief, Yahtzee is more about skill than luck! This game is a popular skill game around the world. It is a relatively simple and enjoyable game for seniors.
If you don’t have a game available, try this online version of Yahtzee. Scoring is automatically tracked from you. Additionally, while you can play against the computer, you can also play against others in multiplayer mode.
5. Qwirkle
Qwirkle is about to change the game for those who love Scrabble, as it adds a twist to how you usually play games like Dominoes and Scrabble by taking in aspects like colours and shapes.
If you create a line with all the colours and shapes with your share of pieces out of 108 wooden blocks, you have a better chance of winning the game. Qwirkle is the perfect game for seniors who like to keep it simple and follow straightforward rules.
6. Dominoes
Some people enjoy games where you can choose different ways and styles to play, and Dominoes is one of the best games for seniors who like these alternative-rich games. Dominoes is one of the most world-renowned board games that many associations, organizations, and clubs dedicate their time and resources to hosting its professional events.
7. GO! Widely Known as the Best Board Game for Seniors
Go is an ancient board game comparable to Othello and Reversi in many ways. This board game emphasizes patience, discipline, and open-mindedness, among other mental abilities. GO can also improve cognitive skills. Because of these, GO is among the best board games for seniors.
The game’s goal is to encircle vacant parts of the board with your stones to build territories. By doing so, You can surround your opponent’s stones and capture them.
Read more about the benefits of games for older adults.
8. Backgammon
This board game’s goal is to move all their checkers from the board. Backgammon is one of the best mind challenging and strategic board games for seniors to boost their cognitive functions while improving their reasoning skills. If you enjoy checkers and interacting with friends, you will love Backgammon.
How to Choose the Best Board Games for Different Seniors
Personal opinion plays a significant role in determining the best board game for seniors because you won’t be able to enjoy a game if you don’t like the genre or overall gameplay. Still, professionals usually recommend seniors take it easy and focus on playing board games.
The difference comes down to whether or not you want to spend your free time playing board games without pressure or if you want to play them professionally. All that matters is how you feel in the moment and afterwards, playing the game of your choice if it gives you a positive feeling and helps you reconnect with your soul.
Final Words
Besides being an excellent entertainment, board games for seniors can help with memory formation and cognitive skills. Most games can help lower blood pressure because they are low-stress and soothing. So, next time you’re thinking about spending quality time with your loved ones, consider playing board games!
I think the best board game that I have had is Hive. It is easy to learn, and it is a strategic two-player game. I enjoy playing chess, but Hive is not as challenging as chess, which is not bad. The pieces in this game are beautiful. I am not able to say how much I appreciate them. My son and I play Hive every time he visits me. You will like this game if you want to think a lot when you play games. I highly suggest this game.
THANKS,my momis very clear minded but she is 84 and had arrived with me to cancun, in an assistance place, and i need that she is ok
Understanding the entire idea of Backgammon is a little tough, but still, it is not as challenging as Chess. Chess is more complicated than Backgammon because Backgammon has fewer moves and fewer limitations. If you enjoy playing Chess, you would like Backgammon. Since Backgammon has dice rolls, You have to be lucky to win the game. Anyway, I think Chess is more challenging than Backgammon.
Oh, I’m glad you mentioned the sweet game of backgammon! It is a great way to socialize with others and provides a temporary escape from the pressures of life. ( at least for me)
In addition, with complex problem-solving and maths involved, it is a great way to keep our minds sharp.
I have always loved to play chess. But I can not even grasp the basic rules and strategies. And I know that to become highly skilled at chess, I need a lot of practice, study, and dedication.
I agree with you. I find it a bit challenging. Practice does, however, make perfect. Try playing online with an imaginary opponent if you’re really into this game.
Backgammon was one of those games that were always around when I was growing up. I played a lot of chess and checkers growing up, and on the opposite side of the board, there was this strange game. It looked so complicated and alien then, and I just learned it about a month ago. Some friends who loved the game came over and offered to teach it to my wife and me.
Yahtzee Is absolutely not my cup of tea!
Are there terrible reviews, or is it just a matter of personal preference?
Anyone of almost any age can play Dixit, so it’s a great family game. Every game goes differently, and the stories are left up to the imagination of who’s playing.
Great board games! I almost played all of us, and I suggest all đŸ™‚
Same here! Board games can be an excellent source of entertainment and connection for seniors. I will always cherish my memories of playing these games with loved ones, and I encourage others to find their favorite games to share with friends and family.
Bingo is a perfect game for someone my age; this game of chance is easy to learn and provides a fun and social environment for players. Bingo has helped me improve my hand-eye coordination and concentration skills.
Reading this article brought back many memories of playing board games with my grandparents when I was younger. I vividly remember spending hours playing games like Scrabble and Yahtzee with them, and it was always such a fun way to bond and connect with them.
It’s great that these classic board games are still popular among seniors today. They offer a fantastic opportunity to socialize, exercise the brain, and have good old-fashioned fun. And with so many new and innovative board games available now, there’s something for everyone to enjoy
As my grandfather got older, it became harder for him to participate in some of his favorite activities. But board games were something that he could still enjoy, and they brought him so much happiness. If you have an elderly loved one, I highly recommend introducing them to some popular board games. It’s a great way to stay connected and have fun together.
This is a great resource for anyone looking to engage seniors in fun and mentally stimulating activities. Keep up the good work!
What I love about Backgammon is that it provides a fun and engaging way to pass the time and challenges us to think creatively; this game perfectly fits me.
As someone who works in a nursing home, I can attest that board games are a fantastic way to engage seniors and promote socialization. I often organize game nights where we play classics like Monopoly and Clue, and it’s incredible to see how much the residents enjoy it. Even those initially hesitant or shy end up getting into the spirit of the game and having a great time. Board games provide a sense of structure and competition that many seniors find stimulating and rewarding, and I’m grateful to have them as a tool in my work.
I can’t wait to introduce some of these games to my grandchildren and pass on the tradition of family game nights.