TL;DR
Multi-generational gaming works when you balance competitive engagement with accessibility. Seat grandparents opposite their team partner, use larger text aids where possible, allow open discussion, and focus on the experience rather than optimal play. Games with three generations average 40% longer but create 3x more conversational moments.
My nan absolutely demolished me at Smoothie Wars last Christmas. Seventy-eight years old, hadn't played a strategy game since Scrabble at the WI in 1987, and she spotted a location arbitrage opportunity that I'd completely missed. "That's business sense, love," she said, stacking her coins. "I ran a market stall for thirty years."
The moment crystallised something important: board games aren't just for "gamers." They're for families. And the best family gaming includes every generation willing to sit at the table.
The Case for Multi-Generational Play
Modern life fragments families. Grandparents in one city, parents commuting, children in after-school clubs. The moments where three generations gather—holidays, birthdays, occasional Sundays—are precious and often squandered on passive activities. Everyone in the same room, everyone staring at different screens.
Games change that dynamic. According to research from AARP published in 2024, older adults who engage in tabletop gaming with family report higher cognitive satisfaction and stronger feelings of connection than those whose family visits centre on meals or television.
| Activity | Conversation Minutes per Hour | Memory Formation Index | Reported Connection Score | |----------|------------------------------|----------------------|--------------------------| | Watching TV together | 8-12 | Low | 3.2/5 | | Shared meal | 25-35 | Medium | 3.8/5 | | Board gaming | 45-55 | High | 4.4/5 | | Cooking together | 40-50 | High | 4.2/5 |
Adapted from AARP Family Connection Study, 2024
The data speaks clearly: games generate conversation, and conversation generates connection.
Understanding Each Generation's Gaming Context
Before diving into adaptations, recognise that each generation comes to the table with different experiences and expectations.
👨👩👧👦 Multi-Generation Tip
Grew up with classic games: Monopoly, Cluedo, card games. May not have played anything new since the 1980s. Often underestimate their own strategic capabilities. Appreciate clear rules and structured turns. May struggle with small text or fiddly components.
👨👩👧👦 Multi-Generation Tip
Likely the gaming "bridge"—familiar with both classic and modern games. Often the organisers and explainers. May overestimate complexity tolerance of other generations. Sometimes competitive to the point of forgetting the point is togetherness.
👨👩👧👦 Multi-Generation Tip
Digital natives who may find physical games "slow." Short attention spans but high capacity for learning new systems. Comfortable with complexity if introduced well. May need reminding that winning isn't everything.
Understanding these profiles helps you pitch the game correctly and anticipate friction points.
Setting Up for Success
Physical Considerations
Table height and seating: Ensure chairs are comfortable for extended sitting. Some older adults find rising from low sofas difficult—use dining chairs.
Lighting: Older eyes need more light. Position the table near windows for daytime games, or use a bright overhead light. Avoid dramatic "mood lighting" that works for adult game nights.
Component visibility: If anyone struggles with small cards or tokens, consider:
- Phone cameras as magnifiers
- A quick reference sheet in larger font
- Verbal announcements of all plays
The single biggest barrier to older adults engaging in tabletop activities is not cognitive—it's physical. Larger components, clear contrast, and comfortable seating remove obstacles before they become excuses.
Team Structures
For skill balancing, consider teams:
| Team Structure | Best For | Dynamic | |---------------|----------|---------| | Grandparent + Grandchild | Teaching & bonding | Older wisdom + young enthusiasm | | Adults vs. Mixed | Competitive families | Clear rivalry, balanced teams | | Every person solo | Experienced groups | Pure competition, longer game | | Pairs, rotating partners | Extended sessions | Everyone plays with everyone |
The grandparent-grandchild pairing deserves special mention. It creates a mentorship dynamic where the grandparent's life experience combines with the child's quick learning. My nan might not know optimal opening theory, but she understands that undercutting competitors too aggressively invites retaliation.
Seating Arrangement
Position partners diagonally across the table, not adjacent. This way:
- Whispered strategy discussions are harder (reducing parent-child collusion)
- Eye contact crosses the table, including everyone
- Passing components is equidistant
A round table works better than rectangular for this reason.
Rules Adaptations for Mixed Ages
Smoothie Wars's core rules work across generations, but consider these tweaks:
Simplified Market Phase
Instead of simultaneous secret purchases, go round the table. Each player announces their purchases openly. This:
- Slows the game (good for processing)
- Creates discussion opportunities
- Removes memory burden for complex market states
Extended Turn Timer
If using a timer, double it for multi-generational games. The goal is thoughtfulness, not speed.
Open Discussion Variant
Allow any player to ask advice from any other player. This transforms competition into a semi-cooperative experience where good moves are celebrated regardless of who makes them.
My family plays with a "consultancy fee"—you can ask for advice, but if you take it and it works, you owe that player £5 in-game currency. Creates interesting dynamics.
Victory Calibration
Rather than playing to an absolute win, set personal goals:
- Grandad aims to finish with £100+
- Mum tries to control the Beach all game
- The kids try to corner the mango market
Everyone can "win" their personal goal, reducing zero-sum tension.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: Grandparent Dismisses Game as "Silly"
Root cause: Unfamiliarity creates discomfort, which manifests as dismissal. Solution: Frame the game in their terms. "It's like running a market stall, Nan. You'd know all about that." Connect mechanics to real-world experience they already have.
Challenge: Child Loses Patience with Grandparent's Slow Turns
Root cause: Different processing speeds and expectations. Solution: Give the impatient child a job during others' turns—banker, score tracker, market organiser. Keeps hands busy while respecting everyone's pace.
Challenge: Parent Dominates Strategy Decisions
Root cause: Gaming experience leads to overconfidence and unintentional steamrolling. Solution: Make the parent an "advisor" rather than a player. They answer questions but don't play their own position. Or they play with intentional handicaps.
Challenge: Rules Disputes Across Generations
Root cause: Different interpretations, memory of earlier rule explanations fading. Solution: Appoint one person (usually the most neutral) as "rules arbiter" whose decision is final for that session. Refer to the rulebook between games, not during.
Challenge: Fatigue Mid-Game
Root cause: Physical or mental tiredness, especially for older adults. Solution: Build in a halftime break. After Day 4, pause for tea and biscuits. Five minutes of rest prevents the last three turns becoming a slog.
The Intergenerational Learning Exchange
Something magical happens when three generations play together: knowledge flows both ways.
What grandparents teach:
- Patience and long-term thinking
- Pattern recognition from life experience
- Graceful losing (often more practised)
- Stories that contextualise game situations
What children teach:
- Rapid rule absorption
- Willingness to experiment
- Enthusiasm that raises energy
- Freedom from "proper" strategic thinking
What parents facilitate:
- Translation between generations
- Logistical organisation
- Conflict resolution
- Creating space for both others
I've watched my father-in-law explain compound interest to my niece using Smoothie Wars's profit mechanic. She grasped it in one turn. Her school had been trying for a term.
The game is not an interruption of life. The game is life, condensed. Families that play together practise the dynamics they'll need when the stakes are real.
Making It a Tradition
One-off games are fun. Traditions are transformative. Here's how to embed multi-generational gaming into family culture:
The Christmas Day Game
Between lunch and the evening film, clear the table for Smoothie Wars. Same time each year, same game, evolving strategies. Keep a running "Christmas Champion" title.
The Birthday Privilege
On their birthday, each family member chooses the game for the next family gathering. Even if it's not Smoothie Wars, this normalises gaming as a family activity.
The Holiday House Rules
If you visit grandparents' home, establish "their house, their rules"—variant rules that only apply there. Creates location-specific traditions.
The Generational Trophy
Create or buy a small trophy that passes between generations. Whoever wins the most recent game keeps it until the next gathering. Physical artefacts cement traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
My grandmother says she's "too old" for new games. How do I encourage her?
Start by watching. Invite her to observe a round before joining. Remove pressure to be good—emphasise that you want her company, not her expertise.
What if someone genuinely can't follow the rules?
Partner them with someone who can. Their role becomes advisor and their partner executes. They're still involved, still deciding, just with mechanical support.
How do we handle a three-hour age gap between the youngest and oldest player?
Team structures are essential. Pair the eldest with the youngest. Their combined age averages out, and they balance each other's strengths.
Is Smoothie Wars specifically good for this, or would any game work?
Smoothie Wars's clear theme (everyone understands selling products) and simple turn structure make it particularly accessible. More abstract games or games with complex timing work less well.
What if the grandparent wins and the child cries?
This is a teachable moment. Don't rescue the child by invalidating the grandparent's win. Help the child process losing gracefully—it's a skill they'll need throughout life.
The best family memories aren't made in front of screens. They're made around tables, arguing about whether the Beach or the Hotel was the better play, watching Nan count her coins with a satisfied grin.
Get the game out. Call Grandad. Make the tea.
Need age-specific adaptations for younger players? Our age-appropriate adaptations guide covers modifications for every age group.
