If I were to ask you who you see playing games on their tablets and phones my guess is that you would say, teens and kids. The simple fact is that couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, one study states that over 40% of seniors polled said they play iPad games every week.
Games are great. Not only are they a great way to pass time but study has also shown that iPad games can help slow down age and disease-related cognitive decline in older adults.
iPad games can help boost the formation of memories according to one study done at the University of California – Irvine. Since many games are played online, studies have also shown that mobile games can help increase sociability in seniors. Lastly, mobile games help keep reaction times sharp and fast and increase fine motor skill function.
Today I want to show you how to find games on your new iPad. I also want to show you a few of the top-rated games for seniors that will run on any of the current Apple iPad family tablet computers!
Let’s dive in!
Why Play Games On Your Apple iPad Family Tablet Computers?
Outside of the mental health perks listed above, there are also other benefits to consider.
First off, anywhere you take your iPad you will always have games with you. Waiting in the doctor’s office for your appointment? Get some game time in. Waiting for transportation? Catch up on your game and try to beat your last high score.
Also, since there is no physical game to set up you can really play anywhere at any time. You can play just a few cards in a solitaire game, turn off your iPad, and resume the game later in the day. This convenience is priceless.
Lastly, there is an abundance of games to choose from on your iPad. There are literally thousands of games available for any of the newer Apple iPad family tablet computers. Anywhere from card games and board games, all the way to word games and car racing games.
Just look at how many game categories there are to choose from! The best part is that many of them are either free or only a couple of dollars!
If you are a new user of an Apple iPad family tablet computer or you just upgraded your tablet I highly suggest you take some time to look through the Apple App Store and try a few games!
Before We Dive In, Here’s a Pro-Tip
If you find touching the screen accurately while playing a game is difficult you have a variety of options. First off, you can always consider getting a stylus. My favorite pack is by Libberway. They have a 10 pack of stylus that you can get on Amazon for about the cost of a cup of coffee from Starbucks. Buying a 10 pack means you can have them scattered around the house and you’ll always have a spare if one goes missing! Click here to check out the Libberway stylus 10 pack.
The other option you might consider if you get really into games is a gaming controller. These can be more comfortable to hold over longer periods of time than your iPad. GameSir sells a controller that is inexpensive and reliable. I appreciate that the buttons are backlit. This means they are easy to read and you can see them in any light! Click here to check out the GameSir controller on Amazon.
Just so you know – I am an Amazon partner so I may receive a commission if you purchase items through the links above at no cost to you. 🙂
How Do I Get Games On My Apple iPad Family Tablet Computer?
Thankfully Apple has made this really easy for retirees thanks to their App Store. If you have ever downloaded an app on your iPad before it will be the exact same process. If you have never downloaded an app before I suggest you check out this article on Apple.com that walks you through it. Click here to check it out.
To find games specifically we will want to start by tapping on the App Store app icon on our Home Screen. Once we have tapped into the App Store you will see an icon on the bottom of your screen that says Games.
Tapping on that will take us directly to a place in the App Store that is reserved just for games.
This page can seem like a lot at first. There is so much going on. I encourage you to take your time exploring this page. You will notice quickly that the information is laid out clearly once you get the lay of it.
That being said, there are a few sections that I do want to point out specifically.
Free Games
Towards the middle of the page, there is a section that is titled Top Free Games. I highly suggest that you start your search for the best iPad game for you here. Any game that you find in this category will be free of charge for you to play! The Top Free Games section in the iPad App Store updates frequently so I suggest you check here often for new free games for the iPad.
Notice that there is a button that says See All on the top right-hand side. You are not limited to just the 6 top free games you see on this page. Tapping on See All will take you to a page that shows the top 100 free games on the iPad. That should keep us busy for a while!
Categories
If the free games page is a bit busy for you and you are looking for a specific type of game on your iPad I suggest you scroll down to the very bottom of the Games page.
Just up from the bottom of your screen you will see a section titled Top Categories. This will allow you to choose a specific type of game for your iPad.
In this case, I tapped on the Board Games category and now I am in a part of the App Store that will just show me board game style games. Right away I see Monopoly and Yahtzee for the iPad. I just might need to download those!
Pro-Tip: If you want to see more about the game just tap on the icon for it. It will take you to a screen where you can see screenshots of what the game looks and plays like. Oftentimes there will be a video that you can watch as well. This can provide insight as to whether or not a game might be worth your download or not.
Explore! Then Explore Some More!
I have given you the keys to the games section in the Apple App Store. From here I highly suggest just looking around a little bit. As I said, there are thousands of games to choose from that will run on any of the current Apple iPad family tablet computers. Oftentimes the best game will be a small independent game that you discover on your own!
That being said, I still want to share what my research has found to be the top 5 iPad games for seniors and retirees in 2021.
What Are the Top 5 iPad Games for Seniors?
1. Word With Friends 2
Words With Friends is a classic game that has been on the iPad for close to a decade now. I would put this in the same category as the popular word puzzle board game Scrabble. The goal is to play the right combinations of letters and words on the board to get the highest score possible.
I like Words With Friends because it is a two-player game. You can share your username with family members and play with them anywhere around the world. Or, you can have Words With Friends safely pair you with another anonymous player at any point and time. This is a great option if you are having a sleepless night and just need something to keep your brain distracted while you wind down.
This is definitely the number one iPad game I recommend to seniors. Check out Words With Friends for the iPad by clicking here.
2. Angry Birds 2
The second iPad game that I recommend is Angry Birds 2. This is a pretty wild game. I would categorize Angry Birds 2 as a physics game with a silly twist.
Your goal is to launch a bird out of a slingshot and towards stacks of blocks and enemy characters. Your goal is to knock everything down with your limited supply of slingshot ammo.
While this may sound silly, I promise you that this is incredibly difficult and requires a lot of thought and planning to execute your shots just right! If you like goofy and fun this is definitely an iPad game every senior should check out!
Click here to see it in the Apple App Store.
3. Solitaire
Coming in at number 3 on my list of the best iPad games for seniors is Solitaire. This is a classic that I think needs no introduction. There are quite a few different solitaire apps available on the iPad but this one is my favorite.
The user interface is simple and there are plenty of options to customize the background and card colors.
Again, I feel like this needs no introductions. It’s free. It’s solitaire. Click here to check it out on the Apple App Store.
4. Candy Crush Saga
Candy Crush Saga has to be one of the most popular iPad games for seniors in 2021. This colorful puzzle game is an instant classic and relies on recognizing patterns with shapes and colors.
What I like about Candy Crush Saga is that it doesn’t require any set amount of time to play. You could play it for just a few minutes and close the app. Or, you can play it for hours. There are literally thousands of different levels and combinations. This game will take years to complete and will provide constant new puzzling challenges!
To play this game you will use simple swiping motions with your fingers to connect shapes and colors of the same kind. Since this game is free there is literally no downside to trying it out!
Click here to download Candy Crush Saga. I think you’ll quickly see how it made my list of top iPad games in 2021.
5. Trivia Crack
The number 5 top iPad game for seniors that I recommend is Trivia Crack. This is another free app that is a must-try.
Trivia Crack is a timed multiple-choice trivia game that runs on your iPad. There are different categories for questions you will be asked ranging from sports to science to history. If you want to win you need to answer quickly and correctly.
Much like Words With Friends for the iPad you have the choice of playing two ways. You can either share your username with friends and family and play Trivia Crack with them. Alternatively, Trivia Crack can randomly pair you with another player around the world. This means you will always have a gaming buddy whenever you need one! Most rounds take between 8-10 minutes to complete.
Click here to download and try Trivia Crack on your iPad!
Time to Start Playing Some Games!
I have just shown you how to find games on your iPad. We also went over how you can sort iPad games by categories to find exactly what you’re looking for. I hope that provides you with enough guidance to start your gaming journey on your new iPad.
Remember that a stylus or a gaming controller are an option to consider if holding your iPad and tapping on the screen are difficult. So, don’t forget the Libberyway Stylus kits, or the GameSir Controller.
I hope you enjoy the top 5 games for iPad in 2021 that I shared today. Do you have a favorite that I didn’t list? I’d love to hear it below in the comments section!
If you’d like to check out my other free iPad lessons for seniors please see the list below. Free content is posted weekly so be sure to sign up for email updates.