Games
A great way to relax for any age
For many baby boomers, the perfect retirement involves spending time with the family or with friends over a relaxing card game or classic board game. Games come in all varieties from bingo to lotteries or even the new crop of video games for grown-ups. Many people over 50 enjoy these games already, but a small number of retirees are unfamiliar with these pastimes. Quiet evenings playing card games or exciting nights spent over board games are yours to cherish with a little help from the guide below.
Card Games
Card games come in all shapes and sizes, from the high-stakes poker game to fast-paced games of spades or hearts. Most card games use the same deck of 52 playing cards, sometimes with the jokers pushing the total to 54. Other games, such as pinochle, require specialized decks. Either way, rules and regulations covering any and all card games can be found either online or in specialty books.
Board Games
Board games are not restricted to Monopoly or Chutes ’n’ Ladders anymore. Some of these games are based on popular movies while others are re-imaginings of classic wars and battles, like Axis and Allies. These more complex board games offer a challenge to those who are not interested in the more sedate paces of traditional games. Still, for those wanting a quiet, fun evening at home, nothing beats a good game of checkers or chess.
Video Games
The video game industry has begun to look closely at baby boomers and the opportunity they represent. Video games for adults are attempts to capture that block of the American public. Nintendo is leading the way with games and even entire systems geared toward people over 50, such as the wildly-popular Brain Age franchise. Additionally, Nintendo’s Wii, which comes with family-friendly sports games, offers a variety of video games for adults.
Other Games
Other games that many people find enjoyable are the casino-like games such as bingo. A church staple for generations, bingo remains one of the most popular and social pastimes. Bingo can also be played at family gatherings and with friends at home, either for prizes or just for bragging rights. Recently, even state lotteries have gotten into the bingo game, offering interpretations of the classic game in scratch-off tickets and on television shows.
