Home >> Games & Cards >> Games

Magnetic Activities for The Elderly

Games are an effective way to maintain and exercise the mental and coordination abilities of the elderly. Games can played by individual or in groups. Group games have the additional ability to strengthen senior communities and give the elderly opportunities for social activity. Magnetic games are convenient as game pieces and game boards stick together and are therefore more controllable and easier for elderly people to keep within their range of mobility.

Magnetic Darts
- Darts help to improve visual sighting abilities and hand-eye coordination. Magnetic darts have improved safety over regular darts as sharp tips are replaced with magnetic discs. The element of movement in darts will also provide opportunity for nonstrenuous physical activity. Darts are fun for groups and can be enjoyed by a whole family. The throwing distance can be adjusted based on eye-sight and throwing capacity, and the level that the dart board is hung at can be adjusted differently for seniors who can stand or for seniors who are wheelchair bound.
Magnetic Sudoko
- Originating in Japan, sudoko has become a popular game in the United States. Sudoko is a numbers game, typically found in the game sections of newspapers or in sudoko puzzle books. Sudoko starts with a grid that has a few numbered spaces and several blank spaces. The grid is also divided into 9 regions. The goal of sudoko is to fill in the rows, columns and regions with numbers so that each one has the numbers 1 through 9, with no repeats. Sudoko has the ability to keep problem-solving and logical thinking skills sharp. Magnetic sudoko game packages come with several boards and magnetic numbers. Magnetic sudoko is convenient for seniors as the boards and numbers are printed large for easy readability and magnetic numbers can be easily moved about without extensive crossing out or erasing. The magnetic pieces will also stay attached to the board, preventing them from becoming easily shifted or lost.
Magnetic Fishing
- Magnetic fishing is a fun group game and can be played in senior centers and assisted-living facilities. Magnetic fishing games come with fishing poles with a line and a magnetic "hook." Seniors can sit together in a circle, with magnetic colored fish and colored felt circles scattered on the ground in the middle. Players are then asked to pick up colored fish and place it on the matching colored felt circle. Putting a time limit on each turn will help keep up momentum and excitement and playing this game will also help maintain and increase hand-eye coordination.

Games