Kitchen table games for old parents?

Backstop

It's gift-giving time.

The one thing I know about my Dad's most recent wife is that she likes to play games like Yahtzee or dominoes during the long New Engerland winters. My Dad and his wife live with another retired couple so there's generally always 3-4 players available. Any help with this?

Preferences:

• Light to ship so I don't spend half my budget on UPS
• No fantasy elements, these are your typical glurge-emailing old people
• budget of $20 or less
• Something they are not likely to already own

So far I'm looking at Bananagrams-- it looks simple, I've never heard of it, it's a small package and $15. Any other ideas?

Improvolone

Apples to Apples?

Crowleston

BOGGLE! or Balderdash!

Richard M. Nixon

Bohnanza (the bean game)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohnanza

MutePrez

Scruples is a lot of fun.

truck-a-sauras

jigsaw puzzles are always enjoyable time killers

Xai

if he is into fast-paced games then something like uno would be good.

If he is into wordy type games then i would suggest scrabble

If he is into long games then monopoly

Malkor

Everyone likes Uno.

MoSiAc

I dunno if it's really for this age group but I played a game last week just called Things

You ask a question, everyone comes up with answers, you read them out and decide who wrote what.

Example questions would be:

What is something you think you shouldn't have to pay for?
What should you not put on the kitchen table?
What is something you shouldn't do in a graveyard?

It can get pretty bad, but it depends on the mindset of the players.

John Matrix

Rummikub! 'tis the bomb.

Crowleston

John Matrix wrote: »

Rummikub! 'tis the bomb.

Tofystedeth

dadblammit I was gonna suggest rummikub. My grandparents used to play that game all the time.

John Matrix

I played it with my grandma all the time, it's almost a given whenever I get back to the UK.

admanb

I was gonna recommend Bananagrams. It's a semi-speed game though.

Backstop

Thanks for the suggestions. Rummikub would be perfect but it's been around so long I'm afraid they might already have it.

Alpine

Check out a card & board game called Sequence. It's like Connect Four, but played with cards rather than chips, and is perfect for two couples to play.

Zedar

Compatibility is a great game if they can regularly get four players. Much less so if they can't. Not sure about the availability of this in the States though.

Shorn Scrotum Man

My father loves Settlers of Catan, so if they've shown interest in monopoly style games you might try that out.

For more fast pace stuff... Flux is good.

Also, if they like Scrabble but are looking for a faster game you might get them Quiddler.

Improvolone

I just don't see a group of "old" people playing Fluxx.

Shorn Scrotum Man

Normal Fluxx is alright.

I definitely couldn't see old people playing Zombie Fluxx (which is the best)

admanb

Shorn Scrotum Man wrote: »

Normal Fluxx is alright.

I definitely couldn't see old people playing Zombie Fluxx (which is the best)

Stoner Fluxx for sure.

MetroidZoid

Second'd Apples to Apples. It's a fun card game that doesn't require dead-set concentration, and can go on however long you like. The more people the better, but it doesn't mean two couples can't play and have some fun.

Demerdar

Scrabble.

It's perfect for two old people. :^:

The Cat

Robo rally :P

serious option: trivial pursuit? Or pictionary.