How To Plan Party Games and Activities for Senior Citizens

It's a pleasure to plan party games and activities for seniors. The first thing you need to determine is the limitation of your party-goers. For instance, someone who suffers from arthritis in the fingers might be uncomfortable doing a craft activity. Once you know who will be attending the party, you can begin taking such things into consideration and planning the activities accordingly. Here are some suggestions.

1. Bingo. This is by far the most popular game among seniors. You can find inexpensive home bingo games at any toy store. For the prizes, go to your local dollar store and pick out some merchandise. Toiletries, kitchen items, personal care products and home decorations would all be good choices. You can either wrap each gift so that they are mystery prizes, or you can arrange them on a table so that the winner of each game can choose a prize.

   Sing along bingo is a variation on bingo. You will need to make up bingo cards. Use the same amount of squares as appear on a real bingo card, but instead of letters and numbers, each square will feature the title of a song. Older and patriotic songs work the best. The caller will sing out the song and the guest will have to figure out the title. Upon doing so, they can place a chip on that square. Most seniors will join along in the singing, enhancing the fun of the game! Prizes are handled the same as in regular bingo.

2. Plan an auction! You can purchase the same kinds of prizes that were suggested for the bingo activity, but all the prizes should be wrapped as mystery prizes. You will also need fake money. Figure on at least ten thousand dollars per guest. The auctioneer will then hold up a wrapped gift for all to see. Then the bidding begins! Since it's play-money, the guests can feel free to bid as much as they want for it. Choose an entertaining, outgoing auctioneer to make this an exciting activity for all the guests!
   
3. Another favorite party game is a version of Name That Tune. If at all possible, convince someone to play the piano or guitar as accompaniment. You won't have trouble finding an inexpensive music book full of all the songs that were popular when the seniors were young. Start with three notes and pause, asking if anyone can "name that tune." If no one can name it, play the three notes again, this time adding two more. Ask them if they know the tune. Keep adding two notes until someone can name that tune. Once the song is named, have the party guests sing along. A good idea would be to decorate the room with musical notes and the names of the songs that will be used in the game. They can be written on balloons, place mats, or posters, but don't tell anyone!
4. Have your guests supply baby pictures of themselves. You can play an entertaining and often hilarious guessing game with these photos. Give each guest a pen and paper, present each picture and challenge the guests to guess the true identities of the babies. When everyone is done, collect the papers, hold up the pictures and read the answers. Many times seeing old photos will remind seniors of old times. They may want to tell about where the pictures were taken, or what was happening in the world the year they were born.
5. A trivia game is an excellent idea as long as the questions are geared toward the appropriate time period. Current pop culture references should be avoided in favor of trivia from a more familiar time. Many of these questions will spark some interesting stories from the party guests and prompt conversations among them.

   As a memorable variation, consider personalizing the trivia game. Have each senior write on a sheet of paper a few facts about her life. First jobs, number of kids or grandkids, depression questions like the cost of bread, and careers and past hobbies would be a great start. Then read the questions out loud and have the seniors match the information to the correct person. This activity will spark a lot of discussion and memories about the old days!

6. Hire a swing band! Music and dance lovers come in all age groups, and seniors are no exception. Hearing their favorite old songs live would be a real treat. Encourage them to dance to the music. For those seniors who lack their former agility, help them to keep time to the music in their seats.
7. How about a card tournament party with inexpensive wrapped gifts as prizes. Poker has enjoyed a big comeback these days. Pinochle, bridge and gin rummy are also popular. You can separate the large group of seniors into groups of four, form separate games and then let the winners of those games compete for a grand prize!
8. Hold a flower arranging class. Supply the vases, stems and scissors, and give them some tips on color. After they have completed the arrangements, they can vote on first, second and third place arrangements (all of which receive prizes). Of course, allow all the seniors to take their creations home!

Seniors like to have fun as much as any other group of people. If you play one or more of the games above, your party is guaranteed to be a real success!