.. to ask for party game ideas to play with an older person

[5foot5]

Clutching at straws a bit here and looking for inspiration.

We are not exactly party animals. Our typical New Year celebration is a nice meal in the early evening. Then we fill the time from dinner to almost midnight and fireworks by playing games. Usually board games as we have acquired a few over the years and usually one or the other of us will have got a new one at Christmas.

However, the last couple of years and also this year we have been joined in our celebrations by 90+ DFIL. Thinking back I don't think he ever has been a fan of board games but he will play some things. Two years ago we all played cards. Last year we got out a "casino" set we have which has a small roulette wheel and also done chips so we could do poker as well.

Both those activities went down reasonably well. I suppose we could repeat that but I am just wondering if there is anything else we might try. Obviously a bit late to buy anything new. One of us acquired Ticket to Ride Europe recently which looks good but having looked at the rules there is no way we'll get him up to speed. Anyone have any suggestions?

"who am I ?" Could work .
Everyone is just sat in cosy chairs and asks questions.

Post it notes stuck to forehead.

Will he actually want to join in with games or would he be just as happy with a glass of his favourite tipple and listen to music/read/watch a film while you 2 play?

It could be that you don't want him to feel left out and that he doesn't want to be apoear rude and unsociable but actually just being in the same room and having company rather than being alone might be enough for him.

Beetle drive always went down well with my older relatives: only need paper, pens and a dice. You can play in teams if there are enough of you or as individuals.

Thanks guys. @bizzey @IAmFlan Both good suggestions. @cariadlet He has been with us since just before Christmas and spends most of the time in his armchair with the paper - not much on the TV appeals to him these days. It just feels a little unkind to leave him doing that on NYE as well.

My great gran is 92 and loves a good game of cards against humanity, it’s one of the few ‘new’ games she can easily understand and didn’t need lessons on how to play!

Rummy? Snakes and ladders? My mum is 84 and her tolerance for long games is low.
dp’s parents (late 70s) play uno with us.

With my Nan at that age, we'd have got a jigsaw out - people cycling in and out of other board games throughout the evening to help. Her role, in addition to being a great jigsawer, was manager - assigning a newcomer to do the sky, or the flowers, or whatever. Goal is to finish before midnight (though we never did!)

Good lighting very useful for older eyes - set up an extra lamp or Anglepoise if you have one

My mid-eighties grandad loves CaH too

My grandad is a similar age. He does struggle with anything that needs rapid thinking, so Articulate didn't work really. But he plays anything else - loves strategy games like Risk, general knowledge in Trivial Pursuit or Logo Game, old favourites such as Monopoly.