Some couples play “mind games” in their relationship, but these aren’t those types of games, puzzles or activities. On the contrary, these are the healthiest and most interesting puzzles, games, and ideas for being together.
Strengthen your mind and your relationship with these creative games for couples. I included a variety of creative activities, fun puzzles, brain boosting word games and other things to do together.
After all, you and your partner have been having stressful conversations about health, finances, budgets, mortgages, kids, career, and family, haven’t you? Now is the time to relax and have fun playing games together as a couple. Like you were kids again 🙂
To be honest, I’m not a big fan of playing board games or even doing puzzles. However, my husband and I were invited over to another couple’s house for “Games Night.” I was reluctant, but it was so much fun! And that evening – Games Night – inspired me to write this article on puzzle and word games for couples.
Are you and your partner a competitive couple? If so, playing games that end up with winners or losers may not be good for your relationship. Do both you and your partner like playing games or doing puzzles? If not, find a creative activity that you both enjoy.
9 Brain Games for Midlife Couples
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One of my favorite games isBananagrams. We have the original Scrabble game and board but Bananagrams is more fun! It’s a speedy version of the original Scrabble game.
If you’re prone to anxiety or if you have a highly competitive streak, you may find Bananagrams more stressful than fun. It’s a good board game for couples who are comfortable with words and thinking on their feet, and who think well under pressure. I tend to stress out when I play it. I guess I’m competitive; I freeze under pressure because I want to win so badly.
The 4 Best Puzzle and Word Games for Couples
If your partner doesn’t enjoy playing board or puzzle games, then you need to think of something more interesting and fun to do together. Have you thought about learning a musical instrument as a couple in midlife or later? That’d be a very interesting activity to do together, but it’s not exactly a game.
1. Relationship and conversation games
A different type of brain game for couples who are 50 plus is Pictionary. Not only will it boost your brain cells, it’ll test your drawing abilities.
“Pictionary is a great brain-boosting game,” says Dr. Svetlana Kogan, founder of The Doctors at Trump Place.
“It teaches us to integrate visual, auditory, and tactile cues to arrive at the solution of a given problem. It also improves imagination and promotes socializing with other people.” She adds that playing cards is a great game for couplesit improves short and long-term memory and promotes socialization. Games like thiscan build family bonds and create better relationships.
The “Never Have I Ever” – A Fun Adult Party Card Gameis a great game for couples who want to get to know each other in a whole new way.
2. Games for language learning
“Have you ever wanted to learn a second (or third, or fourth) language?” asks Lindsay Gaskins, President and CEO of Marbles, The Brain Store.
“It turns out that in addition to being helpful for foreign travel, learning another language is one of the best ways you can stimulate your brain. Hearing and processing new sounds and configurations helps to form new connections in your brain. Whether you have an overseas vacation planned this summer, or maybe just a weekend away, consider bringing a language learning program along with you. You can even load a program onto your iPod or listen in your car on the way to work.”
Italian Flash Cards – Learn Italian Language Vocabulary Words and Phrases is an example of a fun word game for couples who are planning a European vacation.
My husband was learning Spanish because he frequently traveled to Mexico to work. We haven’t played any language learning word games as a couple, but he does have an app to help him learn Spanish. If we were both learning a new language for overseas work or vacations, a language learning game would be perfect.
3. Word games
“Word and puzzle games — such as the Quiddler Card Game For Midlife Couple Game Nights — are wonderful in enhancing some cognitive functions, such as concentration, focusing, problem-solving, and decision-making skills,” says Dr Arinoldo. “An additional benefit is that they are also quite good at reducing a person’s stress level.”
What did games did you play when you were a kid? Break out those old board or other games! Make your couples game night a chance to reminisce and build a closer relationship. Maybe you played cards as a kid, or Snakes and Ladders.
Taking a trip down memory lane can be a fun board game for a midlife couple. If your parents live close by, go to their place and look through the attic or basem*nt for the old board games you used to play.
Word games are great for couples over fifty who have different political positions. If you frequently argue about politics, read Are You a Liberal in Love With a Conservative?
4. Puzzles that involve books and words
A puzzle isn’t a fun or exciting couples game. It’s a relaxing, quiet way to connect and strengthen your relationship with someone you love. If you haven’t done a puzzle with your partner, try it the next time you’re looking for a puzzle or word game.
Remember that puzzles can be hilarious! Check out the selection that the Buffalo Games Store offers, such as their dog and cat puzzles. They aren’t earmarked for mid or later life couples, but they sure are cute.
The“Dog Gone Funny” Fun and Creative Puzzle foris a wonderful puzzle for older, quieter couples who don’t like playing games but still like having fun.
Every time I sit down to do a puzzle – or color in a coloring book – I feel a zen-like calmness, clarity, and peace. Both puzzles and coloring books keep your hands busy and your brain free. If you’ve been having heavy deep conversations as a couple about financial issues or retirement, you’ll welcome the chance to lighten up and calm down.
5 Different Types of Games for Midlife Couples
One of the most interesting games my husband and I play is mancala – it’s one of the first games of strategy ever invented, and has been played for thousands of years. It’s not just a game for couples. Families, communities and even strangers play it with enjoyment and relish.
1. Improv word games for two
My Little Sister and I went to a skating party hosted by the Big Sisters organization in Vancouver; part of the entertainment was an improv show. Afterward, my Little and I played improv games all afternoon and all the way home! It was so much fun.
An example of an improv activity for couples is taking turns saying one word at a time, to make complete sentences and/or tell a story. For instance, you say “We”, your partner says “love”, you say “playing”, your partner says “games”…”for”…”couples”…”that”…”don’t”….etc etc!
Another fun improv game for midlife couples is when one partner starts a sentence with the letter “A.” Your partner has to start the next sentence with the letter “B” – and the sentence has to make sense. It’s quite challenging, but these games are a lot of fun. This isn’t really a board game for couples, but it requires speedy thought.
That said, I’d rather be out biking, traveling, or planning my next trip in the camper van than playing cards or board games. If you and your partner have different ideas on how to spend your time, read My Retired Partner Isn’t Motivated. Will He Drag Me Down?
2. Mancala
I love mancala because it’s easy to learn and doesn’t take a long time to play. My husband and I play it when we’re sipping on a glass of wine at Happy Hour. We take breaks from playing this game to check on dinner. That’s why I think it’s a fun game for couples: it doesn’t require tons of concentration, yet it does make you think.
The Kalaha Mancala Board Game with Folding Wooden Board and Natural Stone Pebbles
is a great gift for an anniversary or birthday. It’s a beautiful wood handicraft, as well as a fun game to play when you have a few minutes to spare.
We have a homemade version of mancala, which Bruce made from an egg carton and 48 buttons. He went to a mancala games afternoon with his Little Brother. The homemade version of this couples game works really well, but an
3. Conversation games that bring couples close together
How well do you know your partner? Are you searching for fun games for couples because you’ve been married for 50 years and need to find stuff to do together, or because you’re in a new relationship and still need to get to know each other?
Either way, the Table Topics Couples Question Game to Start Great Conversations is a game that brings couples closer together. You pick cards that have questions and statements on them, and you share your thoughts. It’s a good game for couples who need encouragement to talk more.
4. Music games
“Learning a new language or how to play a musical instrument are great activities to improve brain health and thinking skills,” says Ezriel E. Kornel, M.D., F.A.C.S. Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at Columbia University.
“A game such as “Guitar Hero” by Wii can accomplish this (it’s like learning a musical instrument). These activities create new connections between neurons. Though these connections are made more rapidly in the developing brain during childhood, they still do occur in the older brain.”
If you’d rather test your memory for song lyrics, check out the Lyrically Correct 60’s and 70’s Oldies but Goodies Music Trivia Card Game. Plumbing the depths of your memory is a fun, creative activity for midlife adults in love.
Why not have fun – such as pretending you’re a rock star –while you’re playing games as a middle-aged couple? This strengthens yourlove by breaking through inhibitions and allowing yourself to be seen in a whole new way.
5. Basketball, soccer, dancing, aerobics, biking
If you’re not into board or computer games (like me — I’d rather be doing other things) — consider exercising as a couple. Aerobic exercises aren’t exactly puzzles or word games for couples, but they can be fun.
“Aerobic exercise can boost brain health, improve circulation to the brain and maintain the integrity of the blood vessels,” says psychologist Carl G. Arinoldo, author of Essentials of Smart Parenting: Learning the Fine Art of Managing Your Children.
“It assures that the brain receives a high oxygen supply. Additionally, aerobic exercise has been shown to increase the number of neurons, especially if done before middle age.” To improve memory and strengthen your love relationship,get physical exercise at least three times a week together, as a couple.
If you and your midlife partner are active and even athletic, read 12 Gifts That Sporty Seniors Will Love. You’ll find lots of fun activity ideas in that Midlife Blossoms blog post.
Puzzle and word games for midlife couples can be quirky andfun holiday, anniversary, orbirthday gift ideas. They encourage partners to spend time together, which can go a long way in building better relationships.
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What fun, creative games do you play with your partner? Pretty much anything new and challenging can improve your memoryand cognitive health. Playing as a couple together – especially in midlife – can help your neurons, brain cells and relationship get stronger and sharper.
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