Games for an over-60s social group

[newschoolpals]

Just as the title says really, my parents are part of a new-ish over-60s community group, they have some funding to buy some games so they have asked me to come up with a list that they can submit on their application.

I do have a lot of games that I play but of course not all suitable, so I'm looking for your suggestions please?

Criteria would be along the lines of :

• Easy to explain / read the rules

• Easy to set-up and put away

• Not too long - maybe 15-20 mins I guess?

• Played in small groups of maybe 4-6

• Not too mentally taxing (my parents said this, not me!)

Thankyou in advance xx

• Not too long - maybe 15-20 mins I guess?

I think you will struggle to find much in such a short time slot! My husband is in his 60s, and we enjoy what are probably fairly standard games such as Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Balderdash, a couple of logic puzzle card sets, murder mystery games. The only one I can think of that would be over in that time is Connect 4!

Have you heard of Boccia?

Crackwords is a good one.

The 'junior' versions of a lot of games tend to be quicker to play.
I've been really enjoying playing 'risk junior' I bought the DC for Christmas but I don't know if they might be a bit offended at the 'junior' on the box.

Dominoes .

'Memory' type games are also good because they just tend to be cards and maybe a timer and a die so take less time to set up.

Labyrinth
Cluedo
London Game
Trivial Pursuit

I am 57. The latter 3 are from my childhood & uni.

I think one thing to consider is people can begin to lose their fine motor movements in their hands as they get older, making it difficult to pick up counters, cards, dice etc. Also visual impairments such as cataracts are common. I find my own parents don't like quiz games as they aren't as 'sharp' as they once were, and this frustrates / embrasses them, especially with those that they don't know well. I guess this depends on your target age group mind, 60's not such an issue for most, 80's far more likely to be an issue. Does it have to be 'games'? Can it not be 'activities'?

One of those bingo games that comes with the spinning globe to put the balls in an reusable wipe off bingo cards.

PA system to play some music?

Why would you think that games for the over 60s need to be any different from games that you might want to play @newschoolpals?

Boggle was always a fav of my parents - basically a 4 x 4 of letters and you make as many words as possible in a time frame - you can get versions that allow you to bounce the letters into place with a shake - lift the lid and then reorientate the letters all one way for ease.

I would go traditional like cluedo/ludo/checkers and backgammon which can be great fun as a speed game.

I would also look at some group card games maybe worth bringing bridge etc as that seems to be enjoyed by many.

you could invest in some bigger cards (than a standard pack which seems to have shrunk over the years) making sure they are clear and easy to read - plus cards get dog eared if too old.

we got 221b baker street which we enjoyed - not super easy to explain so a bit more challenging but we really enjoyed it - might want to again sort out some larger print on some of the instructions as they are tiny and there is reading to do for clues etc and the case story - you can buy additional cases too

Pit - great ice breaker but noisy (or at least my family is)

Rummikub
The crack list
Cards vs gravity
Sequence

I'm in a games club, members age between 50 - 80 have all enjoyed the above games

Rummikub ! It's basically gin rummy but with tiles.

Sorry!

I’d love to join a games club!!!

Based on my over-60s parents saying so, having been subjected to me trying to get them to play my games over the years....

I would play most of their games but they most definitely do not like to play most of mine.

I'm sure there are plenty of over-60s who would play 'my' games but given that my parents know the people who go to the group and given that this is their request, I can only go by what they've said 🤷🏻‍♀️

God, am 56 and DH 60 and whilst eyesight thankfully sorted by glasses most of us in my age range have our faculties so far so Bingo isn't a fav idea at all, but something with a bit of complexity of knowledge based from our era is fine

Heads Up, various versions inc animals, films, celebrities etc played using one person's phone. Four of us played this holiday, two people mid 60s and two 30 year olds. Not laughed so much in ages.

Linkee is a gd game. Easy. Four questions to two teams and you have to find the link between the answers but can take longer than 20 mins

Thanks all, some good suggestions so far and I need to look up the ones I don't know.

I'm looking for physical games as they have funding to buy them, but will pass on the activity suggestions too so thankyou.

Yeah, lots of different things to consider. My parents are hard of hearing so take longer to process even when wearing hearing aids (I personally think they just need better ones but hey ho) so they don't like playing fast-paced or talking games as they struggle to keep up. But I guess as long as there's a good spread of games people can pick and choose on any particular day.

Physical games are definitely a lot more inclusive. I still highly recommend Boccia, but other games such as hoopla, bean bag throwing at targets, 'catch and tell' soft ball, giant jenga, etc can all be good fun.

Carcassone. It's strategic, but quicker and easier than many similar games. My SEN 9 year old and elderly aunt grasped and enjoyed it this Christmas.

Hearing was another barrier I should have mentioned, especially in a community hall type of setting. Some can find this very difficult as you know from your own parents.