5 Great Outdoor Games for Seniors

It’s almost time to pack up the jackets and start planning some much-needed outdoor time. After a long winter, just soaking up the warmth and breathing the crisp air might be all you need.

But if you want to add a little excitement to your time outside and get a dose of exercise and brain stimulation, consider this brief list of simple, fun, and safe outdoor activities.

They’re great for anyone but perfect for seniors who want to get the most out of their time in the great outdoors.

Cornhole

Possibly the most popular lawn game there is, cornhole is a simple but fun game that requires two sets of bean-filled bags (8 total) and two angled boards containing “bag bulls-eye” holes. The match can be one-on-one or two-on-two.

Each player or team tosses their bags toward the other team’s board. A bag that lands on the board will earn a team one point; a bag in the hole earns three points. The first team to reach 21 points wins!

Cornhole sets are inexpensive and widely available online or in stores.

This game can improve hand-eye coordination and balance.

Giant Jenga

Jenga is a game that requires little movement but a lot of focus and physical precision and can be played in any setting. Giant Jenga is a larger version of the game and is perfect for the outdoors.

The game involves 54 wooden blocks stacked in a simple pattern to form a tower. Each player, using one hand, must carefully remove a block and place it on top of the tower without causing the tower to fall. When the tower finally falls, the game ends.

Jenga can be played on the ground or on a table, depending on the physical abilities of the players.

This game is great for improving hand-eye coordination, manual precision, and focus.

Velcro Catch

Want to play catch but don’t want to wear gloves or stress your hands too much? Then Velcro catch is the game for you. All it takes is two Velcro pads and a sticky ball. Just grab a set from Amazon or your local department store and have at it.

Some brands may offer varieties with larger, thicker pads and softer balls.

This one is great for hand-eye coordination.

Lawn Bowling

Who needs funny shoes, heavy balls, and an alley for bowling?

If you want to bowl while enjoying the outdoors, consider a game of lawn bowling. This version is a little different from its indoor counterpart. In lawn bowling, you must roll your ball as close as possible to the “jack,” a special white ball.

Check local stores for a proper set, and if you’d prefer a game closer to traditional indoor bowling, you can always opt for a set of outdoor pins.

This game is great for balance, coordination, and flexibility.

Horseshoes

Similar to cornhole, this game requires four horseshoes and two stakes. With two teams of one or two, each player tosses a horseshoe and tries to land it as close to the stake as possible.

A horseshoe that lands within six inches of the stake earns one point. A horseshoe that collides with and spins around the stake is called a “ringer” and earns the player three points. Whoever receives 21 points wins.

This activity can improve balance, motor skills, hand-eye coordination.