11 Games Over-70s Can Play At Home

Bridge

Play with friends and family or get matched with other live players at your level. Trickster Bridge offers customisable rules too, so you can play the game your way – all for free. Available on desktop, you can also download the app to play on iPads and iPhones. 

Visit TricksterCards.com

Backgammon

With zero sign-up required, this is one of the best sites for cards, especially firm favourite backgammon. Either play with an artificially intelligent opponent or play with friends via the Pass & Play option. With games available in five levels, ranging from easy to expert, there’s something for all abilities.

Visit 247Backgammon.org

Chess

More than 34m people play chess online here, with the option not just to play with friends, but also to solve solo puzzles and take lessons. You can also enter online tournaments, with leader boards updated in real-time to keep track of everyone’s progress. 

Visit Chess.com

Checkers

Hosting a range of online games from snooker to four in a row, this site’s checkers games are increasingly popular. Play as a guest first before deciding whether or not you want to sign up and enter a virtual ‘room’ (just be sure to pick one which isn’t already full) to find other players.

Visit FlyOrDie.com

Solitaire

If your parents or grandparents are looking for something to play solo, this site couldn’t be easier to navigate. Choose from a range of different styles, as well as levels of difficulty, complexity and even virtual ‘luck’. 

Visit WorldOfSolitaire.com

Mahjong

Sign up for free (you can register straight away or use Facebook or Google) to access the largest online mahjong community in the world. Offering mahjong in various rules sets, including Riichi (Japanese), Chinese Official, Hong Kong and American style, this site plays host to an estimated 600m players worldwide. Establish an online presence through an avatar, which is then used in different rankings and reward levels.

Visit MahjongTime.com

Monopoly

Register for free to play this classic board game with other online players. When it's your turn, click the roll button to throw the dice and move your piece the number of spaces indicated. What happens next depends on the space you land on – just like the physical game.

Visit Pogo.com

Jigsaw Puzzles

A favourite of ours here at SheerLuxe – just ask our Style Director Lu – Jigsaw Planet allows you to select different themes and levels of difficulty. With the option to time yourself (so you can try and beat your top score), you can also use the ‘explore’ function to find which puzzles are most popular that week. A great alternative when getting your hands on a new puzzle proves tricky in the real world. 

Visit JigsawPlanet.com

Word Search

With new puzzles added regularly, online word searches aren’t just fun – in many cases they’re also educational. Every puzzle is free to play, and you can print them off to complete if that’s your preference. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, try creating your own with the Word Search Maker, before sharing with your friends.

Visit TheWordSearch.com 

Sudoku

There aren’t any bells and whistles here – just good, straightforward Sudoku that can be completed via desktop or through the app. With added features, which allow you to take notes as you go or ask for hints if you’re struggling, there’s something for all abilities. A great option for keeping the brain firing on all cylinders.  

Visit Sudoku.com

Quizzes 

We love Kahoot for its ‘family fun’ option. Simply invite family and friends to join the fun virtually by starting a live game from your living room and share your screen using tools such as Google Hangouts Meet, Skype or Zoom. You can also send them their own challenge to complete in their own time, if you prefer. 

Visit Kahoot.com