As we age, it’s important to keep our minds and bodies active. A great way to do that is by playing games! Not only are games fun, but they can also help improve memory, cognitive function, and overall well-being. Here are 11 party games for seniors that will make your event fun & entertaining while also being great for everyone’s health.
Party Games For Seniors
Not only are these party games guaranteed to make your event a fun time—but this type of play is important for your overall physical, mental & emotional health. Learn more about why play is so important for older adults – Click Or Tap Here.
1. Giant Jenga
Giant Jenga is a fun and challenging game that can be played both indoors and outdoors. It’s a great way to improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, and can also help improve focus and concentration.
To play: Set up the wooden blocks in a tower, then take turns removing one block at a time and placing it on top of the tower. The player who causes the tower to collapse loses the game.
2. Photo Scavenger Hunt
This is a super fun way to get your guests moving with some friendly competition! Photo scavenger hunts can be customized to fit the abilities of each player. The game is a great way to improve memory, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
To play: Create a list of items for players to find and take photos of. Players can work individually or in teams to find all of the items on the list. The items can be anything from a specific type of flower to a certain color of car. The first player or team to find all of the items on the list wins the game.
3. Balloon Volleyball
Balloon volleyball is a fun & low-impact game that can be played indoors. Not only will you experience the joy of feeling like a kid, but it also improves hand-eye coordination, flexibility, & cardiovascular health.
To play: Set up a net or imaginary line and use a balloon as the ball. Players take turns hitting the balloon over the net or line, with the goal of keeping it in the air for as long as possible. You can play this while sitting in chairs if your guests have limited mobility.
4. Indoor Bowling
Get creative with Indoor bowling! It’s the same as regular bowling but at home—and you can choose what to use as your pins & balls. Use cans, paper towel rolls, cut up pool noodles or water bottles for pins. A bean bag or soccer ball make great bowling balls… or go outside and toss melons for a messy (but very fun) twist to bowling!
To play: Set up the pins at the end of a hallway or room, and use a soft ball or bean bag to knock them down. Players take turns bowling with the goal of knocking down all of the pins.
5. Pictionary Telephone
Pictionary Telephone involves a player drawing a picture and then passing it to the next player who must guess what the picture is. The next player then draws a picture based on the guess, and so on. Trust us—the end results are hilarious! What starts as a boy playing soccer can end as a giraffe floating on an inner tube. The game is a great way to improve creativity, communication, and teamwork.
To play: Follow the instructions above. Play for however many rounds you want. The person with the most correct guesses at the end wins.
6. Dance Party
Okay, so this one isn’t really a game. But what’s a party without getting your groove on? Simply put on your favorite tunes and let loose! You can easily turn dance into a game if you want by including fun challenges like the hula hoop challenge (whoever can keep the hula hoop going the longest wins!)
7. Simon Says
A classic game for kids that’s even more fun as an older adult! Not only will you laugh & have fun following Simon’s demands, but it also improves memory, attention & cognitive flexibility.
To play: Choose one player to be the leader and have them give commands such as “Simon says touch your nose” or “Simon says hop on one foot”. Players must only follow the commands if they are preceded by “Simon says”. If you do the command without the leader saying “Simon Says,” you’re out. The last player standing wins.
8. Indoor Bocce Ball
Bring this popular lawn game indoors and have fun with the added obstacles of chairs, furniture and other household items. Get competitive while improving hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and strategic thinking.
To play: Someone tosses a “target ball” somewhere in the house. Each player takes turns trying to get their set of smaller balls as close as possible to the target. The player with the closest ball at the end of the game wins.
9. Trivia Walk
Put your knowledge to the test with a trivia walk. It’s just like regular trivia but you get to move between “stations” to answer the questions. After all, movement always helps get your brain firing on all cylinders!
To play: Create a list of trivia questions and place them in select places around a predetermined area. Players must answer the trivia questions as they walk around the area, with the player who answers the most questions correctly at the end of the game winning. Teams are highly encouraged for added fun!
10. Name That Tune
It’s not a party without a fun game of “Name That Tune!” There’s nothing more exciting than recognizing a song and trying to blurt out the name before someone else does. It’s fun, exciting and a great way to improve memory and cognitive function.
To play: Create a playlist of songs and play short snippets of each song. Players must guess the name of the song and/or artist. The player with the most correct guesses at the end of the game wins.
11. Twister!
**This one is definitely not for everyone as it requires bending, twisting and reaching—all with the possibility of toppling over. But that’s what also adds a bit of fun to it! If your guests aren’t limited by range of motion, flexibility or joint issues, playing twister can add a lot of laughs to your party while making you feel like a goofy kid again. This is an “advanced” game best for those who won’t injure themselves if they fall down.
To play: Lay out the Twister mat (or make your own by putting coloured circles on the floor.) Spin the Twister spinner (download an app if you’re making this DIY). Whatever colour it lands on, 1 person will call out a body part & the colour (i.e. “right hand on blue”) and everyone has to follow the instruction without falling over. If you fall or can’t complete the command, you’re out. Last one remaining wins.
When planning your next get-together be sure to include these 11 party games for seniors to make sure everyone has a blast! Each game is easy enough that everyone can participate and fun enough to bring a smile to each person’s face. The best part is that each game isn’t just fun—they also improve the health & wellness of those playing.
For other fun ways to improve your health, check out this “Fun Seated Dance Class”—a gentle class to improve your cardio from a chair in just 15 minutes a day!
