Some of the best family memories are made over a game: a grandparent teaching a grandchild how to play cards, a car journey filled with I Spy, a chess rivalry that lasts years. Games give generations something easy to do together, and they create a natural reason to talk, laugh and spend time.
Here are 20 games for grandparents and grandchildren, grouped by setting and age, with ideas for families who live far apart.
What Makes a Great Cross-Generation Game
- A mix of luck and skill, so a six-year-old and a seventy-six-year-old can both win.
- Simple rules that a child can learn and an adult can teach.
- Comfortable to play, seated at a table or on a sofa, with cards and pieces easy to see.
- Short rounds, to match young attention spans and avoid tiredness.
Quick Picks by Age
| Grandchild's age | Easy games to try |
|---|---|
| Toddlers (2 to 4) | Bubbles, balloon keep-up, simple picture matching, I Spy with colors |
| Young children (5 to 8) | Go Fish, Memory, dominoes, Crazy Eights, riddles |
| Older children (9 to 12) | Checkers, rummy, word games, scavenger hunts, story chains |
| Teenagers | Chess, card games, trivia, games they teach you on a phone or tablet |
Card and Board Games
1. Go Fish
A first card game for many children. It's easy to learn and teaches matching and turn-taking. Use large print cards so grandparents can see the faces comfortably.
2. Crazy Eights
Match by number or suit, play an eight to change the suit. Quick, lively and good for ages five and up.
3. Memory (Concentration)
Lay cards face down and turn over two at a time to find pairs. Children are often surprisingly good at this, which makes it a fun challenge for grandparents.
4. Dominoes
Matching ends is easy for small children, and scoring versions add a challenge for older kids and adults.
5. Checkers and Chess
Checkers is quick to learn. Chess is a game that can grow with a grandchild for years. Many families have a running tournament.
6. Dice Games
Simple dice games, from "roll and add" for young children to five-dice scoring games for older ones, mix luck and a little arithmetic.
For more ideas and large print decks, see our guide to card games for seniors.
Games With No Equipment
These are perfect for car journeys, waiting rooms and walks.
7. I Spy
"I spy with my little eye something beginning with B." A classic for young children, and good practice at looking closely.
8. Twenty Questions
One person thinks of an object or animal; the other asks yes-or-no questions to guess it.
9. Story Chain
Take turns adding a sentence to a story. Grandparents can weave in real memories, like "Once upon a time, a little girl lived on a farm…"
10. Riddles and Brain Teasers
Children love riddles, and grandparents often know classics the kids have never heard. Our collection of brain teasers for seniors has plenty that work for all ages.
11. Alphabet Game
Take turns naming something in a category for each letter: animals from A to Z, foods, places. Help each other when stuck.
Active and Outdoor Games
12. Beanbag or Ball Toss
Toss into a bucket or basket. Adjust the distance for each player.
13. Balloon Keep-Up
Keep a balloon in the air as long as possible. It works seated or standing, indoors or out, and always ends in giggles.
14. Gardening Scavenger Hunt
Make a list: a smooth stone, a yellow flower, a feather, something red. Explore the garden or park together.
15. Bubbles
The simplest outdoor game for toddlers, and a lovely way to spend time on a porch or bench.
Creative Games
16. Draw Together
One person draws a squiggle, the other turns it into a picture. Or both draw the same object and compare.
17. Family History Quiz
Grandparents ask: "Where do you think I lived when I was your age?" Grandchildren guess, and the stories follow. It is a wonderful way to pass on family history.
Games for Long-Distance Grandparents
Many grandparents live far from their grandchildren. Video calls can still be playful. Keep calls short, and give the child something to do rather than just talk.
18. Video Call I Spy and Scavenger Hunts
"Can you find something blue in your room and bring it to the camera?" Children love racing off and coming back with treasures.
19. Read and Play
Each side has a copy of the same picture book. Read together, and pause to ask "What do you think happens next?"
20. Play the Same Game in Two Places
Both households have a deck of cards or a simple board game. Play over video, or try an online version of a familiar board game together.
Our guide to digital literacy for seniors covers video calling basics, and setting up an iPad or iPhone for an elderly parent helps families get a grandparent's device ready.
Tips for a Smooth Game Time
- Keep sessions short. Twenty to thirty minutes suits young children and avoids tiredness for grandparents.
- Let them win sometimes, but not always. Children enjoy a fair challenge, and grandparents enjoy winning too.
- Bend the rules for little ones. Play with cards face up, or skip complicated scoring.
- Have a snack break. Games and cookies are a long-standing combination for a reason.
- End with a rematch promise. "Next time I'll beat you at checkers" gives both of you something to look forward to.
Let the Grandkids Teach Too
Older grandchildren and teenagers are often the family tech experts. Asking them to teach a grandparent a game or app flips the usual roles, and both sides tend to enjoy it. A teenager might help a grandparent download a word game, a jigsaw app or a calm brain exercise app, then try a round together.
One option built for older adults is SilverMind, an iPhone and iPad app of calm brain exercises with big text and no rushing. Exercises like Odd One Out and What Comes Next are fun to puzzle over side by side, even for kids. It suggests a short daily workout of three exercises, is available in 14 languages, and Premium starts with a 7-day free trial.
Adapting Games for Grandparents' Needs
For Vision
Use large print cards, high-contrast boards and good lighting. Sit side by side so both can see the same view.
For Hearing
Play in a quiet room, face each other, and turn off the TV. Games with visual elements, like cards and drawing, are easier than purely spoken ones.
For Mobility
Choose seated games and let grandchildren be the "runners" for anything that needs fetching.
For Memory Changes
Choose familiar, simple games, and let the grandchild "help" with rules. For more ideas, see activities for seniors with dementia at home.
Why These Games Matter
Time spent together across generations is valuable in its own right. The National Institute on Aging encourages older adults to stay socially engaged and do activities they enjoy, and playing with grandchildren is one of the most natural ways to do both. For children, it builds a relationship and a sense of family history. For grandparents, it brings laughter, purpose and a reason to look forward to the next visit. For more ideas, browse the Activities topic hub.
The Bottom Line
The best games for grandparents and grandchildren are simple, a little lucky and easy to play together. Keep a deck of cards and a few riddles ready, try video call games when you're apart, and let the grandkids teach you a thing or two. It isn't really about winning. It's about the time together.
Research & References
- Participating in Activities You Enjoy As You Age - National Institute on Aging
- Loneliness and Social Isolation - National Institute on Aging
- Accessibility - Apple Support
