We play BINGO every year. My mom collects little trinkets, snacks, and Dollar Tree items throughout the year for prizes. Someone acts like the silly prize presenter and we put it all on a fancy platter and allow the winner to make a selection.
A non-game activity that we do every year and have a great time with is a taste test. We choose one item and compare all of the different brands/genetics. Chat about them & score them without knowing which is which, see if there’s a unanimous winner, then reveal the brand names. It’s fun & easy for all ages!
One concern I have are the 2 grands with dementia. YMMV, as all people with dementia are different, but even before he was officially diagnosed dad struggled with games he'd always enjoyed. In many people w/dementia the executive function need to plan moves plus the memory glitches around rules make this an un-fun activity. My folks played a lot of Gin Rummy, Bunko and Dominos and over time dad couldn't follow along. He even went through a phase where he was "cheating" which I know would have upset my kid at that age.
I'd look for maybe collaborative games if you want something new. If there are games they used to play, it might be safest to stick with those.
It’s true the two with dementia can’t really play. (Well, my mom for sure can’t and I haven’t seen my uncle in years, so I’m not sure how far his dementia has progressed). In July we tried games with my mom and did various things like teams, or sort of played for her (bingo), or just let her do whatever thing that didn’t fit the rules/logic/sequence of the game. She can’t play along, but she doesn’t realize she can’t play 😢 so it’s all the more heartbreaking. My boys understand she has Alzheimer’s and have been amazingly great with her. They are able to suspend their usual sense of fairness and just let her play however she wants. There is something nice about “all” of us (or whatever fraction of us it happens to be) gathered around a table which something to focus on. The ones who understand the game seem to have fun and she (and hopefully my uncle) feels a part of the fun without trying to carry on conversation, which she doesn’t do well anymore either. 😢
Post by urbancowgirl on Sept 7, 2021 11:38:39 GMT -5
Tenzi is fast and fun. The one linked here includes an expansion pack with different variations of the game.
We had a blast playing Spoons with family this summer. All you need is a deck of cards and spoons. Pro tip: pass the cards as fast as you can and be as quiet as possible when you grab a spoon.
I agree with others that ducky dice/LRC is a great choice for this type of get together. This past Christmas, we played with $1 scratch offs and that was a HIT.
We played the illusion card game over the labor day weekend at the cabin. None of us have played before, but it was an all ages hit pandasaurusgames.com/products/illusion
Also, if you have outdoor space, Kubb is a super easy yard game that all ages can play together.
I thought of another one - “What do you meme?” - think apples to apples (or cards against humanity) with memes.
When we play with non readers, we deal out the meme/picture cards, and just have the description card the one that everyone is trying to match. Especially for the players with dementia, they can’t really “mess up” because it’s all personal preference anyway.
Pass the Pandas We just tried Taboo with our 9 year old and she loved it. Your 5 year old probably wouldn't be able to give clues, but might be a good guesser.