Board games have grown a lot since your parents’ childhood. Since the 90s, the board game industry has boomed to include a lot of varying and unique games far beyond Monopoly and Clue. And while many of the classics stick around for a reason, there are plenty of newer options out there. In this article, we will discuss some different options to get your loved one playing something new and interesting for game night with the family, or a quiet night at home.
Board Games and Aging
Board games can be great for keeping your family entertained. But for older adults, they can be a great asset. Playing games can help keep the mind sharp. Memory-based games or puzzles can help combat dementia or brain fog. Generally, games that are more dexterity-based can help with coordination and muscle movement.
Board Games with the Grandkids
Grandparents can have fun making memories with their grandkids at the table, playing games together. Board games are also a great avenue to pull your kids away from their tablets and phones. Depending on the age of the grandkids, there are plenty of options that can be a great fit here.
Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! By Gamewright is a fast-paced card drafting game that has players collecting groups of cards and passing the rest around. It may remind your older loved one of Rummy. It is a great game for grandchildren 8 and up.
Outfoxed!
Outfoxed! By Gamewright is a cute and colorful whodunit game similar to Clue. It is better suited for younger children, but can entertain parents and grandparents alike.
OK Play
OK Play from Big Potato Games is a colorful and compact 5-in-a-row tile game for 2-4 players. The whole game can fit on a provided carabiner. It is a great option for family outings.
Board Games For Adult Players
When gathering with friends or family, your older loved ones can have a blast with these games. We recommend these for older audiences as they are a bit more complex. But, teenage or young adult grandchildren will be able to grasp these games easily, as well.
Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride by Days of Wonder is a great step up from many classic board games. Many people consider it a classic gateway into more intricate and unique options. Ticket to Ride has you collecting trains to build along the tracks and develop your routes along the map. Different versions of the game feature real-world maps, from America to Europe, to cities like NYC or Paris.
Wingspan
Wingspan by Stonemaier Games is an intricate resource-gathering game with stunning artwork. Gather food resources to play different types of bird cards to build points and collect more resources. Up to 5 players can play together. There is even a 1-player mode that your loved one can challenge themselves with at home.
Sagrada
Sagrada by Floodgate Games is a relaxing game of drafting colorful dice to create a stained glass window. This game supports 1-4 players. Different cards offer variation in your window’s design, as well as how you score at the end of the game.
2-Player Board Games
2-player games are great for your older parents to play together, or to spend some time with a caregiver. You can also play together with them one-on-one.
Orbito
Orbito by FlexiQ Games is a quick and easy 4-in-a-row game. Each time a player places their marble, the button in the middle of the board is pressed. This moves the marbles along the track. It means that your placement may matter down the line to make your 4-in-a-row. The game is straightforward yet strategic.
Botanik
Botanik by Space Cowboys has you drafting tiles to create snaking pipes to water beautiful flowers. It is a very light and easy-to-learn game.
Solo Board Games
For puzzle lovers and those who enjoy a quiet night in, solo games can be a great option for older individuals looking for something beyond a classic jigsaw. Many of these games can be played with more than one player too, but are made for solo play.
A Gentle Rain
A Gentle Rain by Incredible Dream is a cute and cozy puzzle game where you place tiles with matching flower colors to create a pond. As you lay out your tableau, flower tokens are placed in the circles left by the strangely shaped tiles.
Railroad Ink
Railroad Ink by Horrible Guild is a Roll-and-Write game where you develop train and road routes for your neighborhood. Different dice rolls will guide what you draw on your dry-erase board. This game has plenty of expansions to keep the game ever-changing. Additionally, it can be played with up to 4 players.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services does not provide medical, healthcare, or financial advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for advice.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services has provided excellent home care on Staten Island since 1967. Our services help older and disabled individuals live safely and independently while giving their families the peace of mind they need. For more information, contact us or call (718)-979-6900.
