Board games are a great way to pass the time. They are also good for exercising our minds, dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Plus, they provide entertainment and can boost moods!
Here are some suggestions for those with memory loss that might be good for care partners to try with your loved ones to keep busy and engaged.
Dice Games
Tip: Use dice that have contrasting colors so the dots can be seen better. You may also want to try larger, heavier dice, so they don't scatter far when rolled.
- Yahtzee, opens a new window - Modify this to just use the bottom or top of the scoreboard but not both.
- Yahtzee Poker, opens a new window - You want to try and earn the most "money" by rolling basic dice sets.
- Ship Captain Crew, opens a new window - Attempt to roll a 6, 5, 4 to get your ship, captain, and crew. With the two remaining dice the player with the most cargo (highest score) wins the round.
- Going to Boston, opens a new window - Take your chances and make your rolls! The goal is to accumulate more points than any other player, making you the winner!
- High-Low, opens a new window - Take turns, rolling the dice 3 times. Whoever has the highest score after a chosen number of rounds wins. Alternatively, this can be played with the lowest numbered dice.
- Three or More, opens a new window - Score the lowest number or the perfect 0 to win one of the rounds.
Playing Card Games
Tip: Use card holders to make the cards easier to see and hold. Large print or low vision playing cards can also be helpful.
- Crazy 8s, opens a new window - Players try to get rid of their hand by placing the same suite or number on top of the flipped up card in the center. 8s are wild. This is similar to Uno.
- Card Bingo, opens a new window - Each player gets 8 cards faced up in front of them. A second deck of cards is for the dealer to flip over one by one. If a person has a match, they flip it down.
- Black Jack, opens a new window - Each player attempts to beat the dealer by getting a higher point total without going over 21.
- War, opens a new window - The deck is divided evenly among the players, giving each a stack. In unison, each player reveals the top card of their pile and the player with the higher card takes both of the cards.
- Thirty-one, opens a new window - The object is to obtain a hand with a value total as close as possible to 31 without going over.
Board Games and other Games
- Batik game
- Shut the Box
- Uno
- Qwirkle
- Jenga
- Sequence
- Pokeno
- Left, Center, Right
- Bingo and especially music Bingo using their favorite tunes!
Not all games listed above will work for everyone so you might have to try a few to see what interests your loved one. Make modifications to games as you see fit. In addition to these options above, people typically like to play what they know. So if there is a game that is familiar to someone then give that a try!
Also check out this blog for care partners that might also be of interest; Reminisce with Loved Ones.
You can also get books, kits, and other library material delivered to your door with Arapahoe Libraries' Home Delivery or Books by Mail services!
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