Retirement brings with it a world of new benefits. Older adults can spend their days pursuing their passions, enjoying the activities they love, and spending time with those who care about them. But it can also be overwhelming at first—with so much time suddenly available, deciding how to spend every day can be difficult.
That’s why our team at The Villages of Farragut made a list of the top 20 games for seniors. From puzzles to Jenga, badminton to poker, Scrabble to UNO, these games can be wonderful ways to spend an afternoon with the people you love.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are more than just a pastime; they’re a cozy invitation to a world of tranquility and satisfaction. Picture this: a quiet afternoon with a warm cup of tea by your side, pieces of a puzzle scattered across the table, waiting to be lovingly pieced together.
It’s an excellent way to sit in the moment. Between the joy of finding the next piece and the sense of accomplishment of watching a picture come to life, jigsaw puzzles are tough to beat.
Chess & Checkers
These games are ideal for finely honing mental acuities because they are eternal challenges of strategy and tactics. Both chess and checkers require you to plan and devise a strategy while adapting as the other player challenges you.
This makes them excellent options for keeping your brain sharp!
Scrabble
For wordsmiths, Scrabble is the ultimate word game. Spelling out words and strategizing with those beloved tiles can turn into a captivating pastime. And who knows—you might even learn a new word or two.
Crossword Puzzles
Sometimes, simple is best. A daily crossword can challenge the mind in ways that many other activities can’t; you must use logic, reasoning, memory, and more.
Even more beneficial? Crosswords are portable and don’t have a timer. It’s a game that can accompany you anywhere and adds a dose of fun in any environment.
Clue
Who doesn’t love a good challenge? Clue is a game of mystery, memory, and deduction. This game is great for the imagination, requiring you to think creatively to determine who committed the murder.
You can work together—or against—others to unravel the mystery and enjoy a fun afternoon as a master detective.
Poker
Competition can often add a fun bit of flair to a day. So grab some friends and a deck of cards to settle in for a few rounds of poker. Don’t worry—you don’t have to gamble. Instead, you can simply enjoy a no-stakes game and engage with others.
Bingo
There’s a reason that Bingo is such a hit in everything from community centers to family reunions. It’s a fun, relaxing, and stimulating game that brings out everybody’s competitive spirit. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, spend time with loved ones, or win all of the prizes, Bingo is a simple way to enjoy an afternoon.
Solitaire
What if you’re looking for a relaxing, calm, but challenging way to spend your time? That’s when Solitaire can be rewarding.
This game requires little more than a single deck of cards and enough room to lay them out. It’s a good way to spend time alone, challenge your brain, and have fun.
Sudoku
Sudoku is an engaging brain teaser for a number-based challenge that sharpens logic and problem-solving skills. Meanwhile, it offers a wonderful few moments of tranquility; you’ll need to contemplate different solutions and possibilities.
Uno
Uno is a game that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s particularly entertaining in large groups, even if it can sometimes get a little chaotic! You can play to mess with your friends or help out along the way and steer the game in your preferred direction. Either way, it’s a simple way to stay entertained and share some laughter, all while bringing out your inner competitive spirit.
Jenga
Jenga can be an excellent way to enjoy a suspenseful and tactile experience. You need to focus, use your hand-eye coordination, and strategize how to pull out each small wooden block—without knocking it over.
If fine motor skills are a problem, there’s good news: you can always pick up a larger set of the game to make things a little easier!
Settlers of Catan
Settlers of Catan, a modern classic, is a complex game where your final goal is to expand a small civilization to dominate a map. It involves trading, building new settlements, and spreading your resources to take over the game.
It’s complex enough to require planning ahead and formulating a proper strategy but simple enough to pick up and play without much preparation. You can be friendly or ruthless—the civilization is yours to expand!
Trivia
Knowledge games can be a lot of fun. At any gathering, a trivia game will likely bring out competitive spirits and lots of laughter.
Trivia is excellent for intellectual stimulation and fostering a sense of community. You’ll need to use your brain to recall facts about everything from different countries to the animal kingdom. It’s a wonderful way to engage your mind and improve cognitive abilities.
Charades
Charades, the classic acting game, is sure to get everyone giggling and is an excellent way to communicate without words. You can relax and enjoy watching your loved ones act out scenes from movies or pretend to be an elephant—it can be a hilarious way to spend a few hours.
Bridge
Bridge, a game of wit and strategy, is more than just a card game; it’s a heartwarming way to bond and engage the mind. This classic game encourages communication, sharpens decision-making skills, and offers endless opportunities for camaraderie and friendly competition.
Every hand dealt is a new story, a puzzle that invites players to collaborate and strategize. Thus, it’s more than just a game; it’s a delightful shared experience that strengthens friendships and creates lasting memories.
Video Games
When people think of video games, they often think of fast-paced situations, loud noises, and flashing lights—an often overwhelming experience. But this isn’t always the case. Plenty of senior-friendly video games are designed to be taken at your own pace while enjoying virtual stimulation.
From Bejewelled to Wii Sports, a wide variety of games cater to every taste and level of mobility. With the right controller and some hand-eye coordination, video games can provide an outlet for creativity, relaxation, and entertainment.
Badminton
For older adults looking for a more active game, badminton can be a great place to start. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the sunshine while engaging in some light physical activity—while bringing out a semblance of minor competition.
Bocce
The Italian game of Bocce is perfect for a fun, social time outdoors, encouraging gentle stretches and concentration. To play this game, you don’t need much more than a patch of grass, the balls, and some friends!
Golf
Golf, a classic pastime, can be an excellent way to get fresh air. It’s also ideal for measured exercise and spending peaceful hours outdoors.
It’s not just about the sport itself but also the beautiful, scenic landscapes that come with it. It offers a serene environment that relaxes the mind and soothes the soul.
Whatever You Want!
At the end of the day, the best game to play in retirement is whatever you’d like. It’s always fun to try something new or enjoy an afternoon revisiting an old favorite.
Either way, the most important thing is to find a community that believes in supporting you while you pursue your passions—a community like ours at The Villages of Farragut. Book a tour with us today!
