A call with a grandparent is more fun with something to do together. The trick is choosing games for grandparents that are easy to start, easy to follow and forgiving of mistakes. Here is what works, what to skip and how to set it up, with examples from the six free games on a site I make, Boardit, so the lengths and seat counts are exact.
What makes a game easy for a grandparent?
Three things: a short rule, a large screen and no time pressure. If the game can be explained in a sentence and played with a tap, it will work. If it needs fast typing or small print, skip it.
Which games work well?
- Snakes and Ladders. Two to eight players, ten to twenty-five minutes. Pure luck, so a child can beat an adult and a grandparent can beat both. Nothing to remember.
- A quiz. Two to eight players, about fourteen minutes. Four large buttons per question. Good for sharing memories, because older relatives often know answers the young do not.
- Ludo. Two to four players, thirty to sixty minutes. Many grandparents played it as children, so the rules feel familiar. It runs long, so agree a stopping point.
- A drawing game. Two to twelve players, about twenty minutes. Fun for the whole family, but drawing with a finger takes practice, so offer to draw first.
What should you skip?
Games with a fast clock, with lots of reading or with hidden roles that need careful explanation. A clue game has a vote at the end that confuses first-time players. Save it for a second visit.
How do you set it up?
Send the link by message a day before, and call to help on the day. Ask them to open the link and tell you what they see. If they are nervous, share your screen and go through it together. Stay on the call for the first move.
What about the clock?
Choose a long turn clock or none. A grandparent who is rushed will feel foolish, and a game that feels foolish is a game they will not play again. Thirty seconds is a generous minimum, and a minute is kinder.
How do you make it a ritual?
Pick a day each week and play the same short game. A Sunday quiz for fourteen minutes is a habit a family can keep for years. Keep a note of the scores, and let the grandparent name a prize, such as choosing the next quiz topic.
What if the screen is small?
Ask them to use the largest device they have, such as a tablet or laptop, and prop it on a table. Zoom in the browser if the buttons look small. Turn on the volume so they hear the sounds of a throw or a correct answer.
Where can you find these games?
Boardit is a free place for online board games and party games online. It starts from a link, so a grandparent can join without an account or a download, and the table shows the rules of each game.
What should you say if a grandparent feels left behind?
Slow the table down, not the person. Say, "Let's all take our time," and pause the talk for a moment. A grandparent who feels the group is waiting kindly will relax. Offer a hint on a quiz question, or let them draw first in a drawing game. Little kindnesses like these are what the family remembers, long after the scores are forgotten.
Choose the laugh, not the rules
The game matters less than the call. Choose something that gets everyone laughing within five minutes, and the rest will follow.
Ahmed Moaz builds Boardit, a free browser game site.