Fun and Practical Tablet Apps for Seniors

We tend to associate technology with the younger generations, yet older adults are becoming pretty tech savvy themselves. Perhaps it’s not surprising, then, that tablet apps for seniors are becoming increasingly popular.

In fact, in 2022 around 45% of older adults said they played video games, representing a quarter of all video gamers. While many of these gamers will use a computer or a gaming computer, others stick with mobile phones and tablets. After all, phones and tablets don’t need to be expensive and provide a large number of games.

The popularity isn’t even that surprising.

Gaming is an easy way to add small moments of pleasure into a day, helping to break up one’s routine and make life more interesting. They can be incredibly helpful for people who live alone, as many games contain some social elements.

How to Choose Games and Apps

The range of apps and games for tablets can be daunting, with categories including puzzle, word, casual, card and board games – and that isn’t even counting the more practical apps, like audiobook players and eBook readers. Seriously, there are more than 2 million apps on the Google Play Store alone, with more being added regularly.

This can be pretty overwhelming even if you were just looking for a small number of Apple or Android apps for seniors.

That’s why we created this list. It offers a starting point into the world of apps and games. In it, we showcase some of the most popular and recommended apps, while talking about some of the different types and why they’re relevant to seniors.

When choosing, it’s helpful to think about the senior’s abilities and what they enjoy. Many will be most interested in simple and relaxing apps, particularly those with a social element. However, some will be interested in action-packed games instead.

Don’t be afraid to experiment either. Most people need to experiment a little to find the apps they enjoy the most. 

If you’re uncertain, start with puzzle, logic, word, or card games, as these are the most popular among seniors. Many of our featured apps fall into one of these categories.

Tablet Apps for Seniors

Casual Games

These games require some concentration and effort, but not a large amount. Many are relaxing, allowing the senior to progress at their own pace. They’re often straightforward enough that they can be played while doing something else, like listening to an audiobook or watching a movie.

That said, most of these games require some degree of strategy, so these games still offer cognitive benefits to seniors.

The Angry Birds Series

The Angry Birds games are fun and silly. They’re physics-based puzzle games, but the simple control and fun graphics make the series a good pick for seniors.

The main games in the range involve shooting birds out of a slingshot to knock down various structures. The game Angry Birds 2 (for Apple and Android) is a good place to begin. There’s also Angry Birds Friends (for Apple and Android), which has a social and competitive component. 

The series has now spawned other games that use the same characters, but follow different styles. For example, Angry Birds Evolution (for Apple and Android) is an RPG-style game and Angry Birds Dream Blast (for Apple and Android) is a bubble popping game.

Any of the games could be a good choice for seniors. The simple style really does work well and it’s easy to get lost in the games.

Match 3 Games

With these games, seniors are making matches of 3, 4, or 5 to achieve goals. Early levels tend to be simple, while later ones are more challenging, with extra gameplay elements and bonuses.

There are countless apps in this particular genre, with a surprising number of differences between them.

One of my favorites is Gardenscapes (for Apple and Android), which now has a bunch of spinoffs like Wildscapes and Homescapes. The storyline focuses on building a garden, while there are plenty of events and extras to keep things interesting.

Then there are all the Candy Crush games, starting with the original Candy Crush Saga (for Apple and Android). These are simpler and less story driven, yet also surprisingly addictive.

You’ll often see match 3 games themed around a particular movie or theme, like Maleficent, Wonka, Disney emojis, Frozen, DC heroes, Marvel heroes, and more. The basic idea is the same each time, so it’s just a matter of finding a flavor the senior enjoys.

Merge Games

Merge games follow a single idea – merge groups of 3 or 5 objects to create a new higher tier item. Some versions are focused on an island, where players are unlocking land, building castles, and completing tasks.

This is one of the most relaxing styles of game out there and requires barely any strategy. Yet, it’s still surprisingly enjoyable.

My current favorite in this genre is Merge Fables (for Apple and Android), partly because it has a feature to arrange the entire board.

Other versions are simpler and have a grid-based game board. Here, you’re often merging to complete orders, then using the rewards to build a restaurant or complete some type of story.

Merge Inn (for Apple and Android) is a classic example of this style. It’s also a useful one, as players can get extra energy by watching ads instead of paying money.

Peggle

Peggle Blast (for Apple and Android) looks complicated at first, but the game is easy to pick up and can be a lot of fun without being confusing. The name relies on chance as much as anything, which can be a good thing for some people.

The original game and its sequel (Peggle and Peggle Nights) are both available for the computer, as full games that you can purchase. Peggle Blast is the free version of the computer game and has in-app purchases. Many aspects of the game are the same as the original, making the new version just as entertaining.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are a fantastic option for seniors and these work surprisingly well on a tablet. There are plenty of apps with this style, each with a variety of different puzzles and sizes.

Jigsaw Puzzles Epic (for Apple and Android) is a free app that comes with a large number of puzzles.

Users can choose how many pieces their puzzle is (from 4 to 625) and also whether the pieces of the puzzle can rotate or not. More puzzles can be purchased from the in-game store, but the free puzzles should last most people for a long time.

Strategic Games

These next games are sometimes categorized as being casual, but they require more strategy than the previous ones we’ve featured. The need to concentrate, plan, and remember may even be helpful for cognition, keeping seniors sharp for longer.

Farming Games

Farmville appears to have spawned this genre, with three main games available for tablets and mobile phones:

• Farmville 2: Country Escape (for Apple and Android)
• Farmville 2: Tropic Escape (for Apple and Android)
• Farmville 3: Farm Animals (for Apple and Android). This newer version offers different gameplay mechanics, with a greater focus on animals. However, it isn’t available for all devices and some seniors may prefer the gameplay of the originals.

The games all require strategy, reading, and planning, with tasks getting more complex as the game goes along. The amount of strategy might be too much for some seniors, while others may find the style perfect.

There’s also a social element, as players often work with teammates to complete tasks. Some seniors may even form friendships through the chat feature. I’ve seen players get so caught up in the chat that they barely touch the rest of the game.

Many other related games are now available, including Township, Hay Day, and Goodville. These all follow the same general idea, but each has its own interesting features.

The Sims FreePlay

This task-based game (for Apple and Android) is a variation of the well-known computer game The Sims. The game follows a slice-of-life style, where users are directing their characters (Sims) and telling them to complete various tasks.

Like Farmville, many tasks take time, so it’s sometimes necessary to simply come back to the game later. However, The Sims requires less strategy, which can make it more appealing.

Hidden Object Games

As the name suggests, hidden object games are about finding hidden items. They often have a timer for each scene, which adds to the challenge.

These games may be especially good for seniors, as they involve memory, cognition, and object recognition. There’s also a story aspect that keeps things interesting.

Below are some great games to get you started. Plus, if you visit the app page for any of them, you should see related suggestions.

• Sherlock – Hidden Object Mystery (for Apple and Android). This app is unusual in that it has hidden object and match-3 options for most levels. The approach allows seniors to switch between styles as they wish. There are plenty of bonus events and gameplay aspects to keep players amused.
• June’s Journey (for Apple and Android). There’s a mystery element to this game that works well and keeps the story engrossing.
• Pearl’s Peril (for Apple and Android). An adventure-focused game with plenty of events and bonuses.

The above games are all free. They often rely on energy and rare drops, which limits how long people can play at any time.

If the energy aspect is frustrating, Premium hidden object games are the way to go (including those found as part of Google Play Pass). Clockwork Tales, Time Mysteries, and Family Mysteries are all great examples. These tend to be more linear, with a greater focus on story and less need to repeat the same scenes again and again.

Puzzle Games

The following games follow more traditional puzzle styles, including word games and number games. Many are simply digital versions of familiar puzzles, ones that seniors might already work on.

We’re not talking about memory games on this list, as we have a separate post on the topic. However, most games we’ve discussed have some memory elements. They’re also more entertaining than straight memory games, which could make them more appealing to seniors.

WordScapes

Wordscapes is a fun series for anyone who enjoys word puzzles. The classic version can be found for Apple and Android by following the links. The same company has other versions too, like Word Flower and Word Vista.

You can now find similar games from other companies, but Wordscapes remains one of the best.

The versions are all slightly different, but the basic idea is that you get a circle of letters and need to work out what words can be made from them. While the initial puzzles are easy, the levels get increasingly more difficult.

There is a hints feature too, along with competitions, daily puzzles, and a social aspect. These features all help to make the app more interesting. They also reduce the risk that a user will get completely stuck on a puzzle and unable to progress.

Another bonus is the tablet version ends up with very large print, which is perfect for seniors with eyesight difficulties.

Words With Friends 2

Words With Friends (for Apple and Android) is a turn-based social game that plays like Scrabble. The social element of the game comes from the way that you play against other people, taking turns with them.

The game also gives you the ability to chat with the people you are playing against, which can be good if seniors are playing against friends. The free version has ads, which can be a pain, but the social aspect of the game can be appealing to seniors.

There is now a solo version as well, which allows people to play the game on their own.

Classic Puzzle Games

Most classic word or puzzle games have their equivalents on the app store. This allows seniors to easily pick up their favorites and complete them online.

The trick is to choose a good app, as some are much better quality than others. Here are a few great ones to get you started:

• Wordscapes Search (for Apple and Android). This beautiful spinoff of Wordscapes follows the classic word search style and can even be played offline.
• NYT Games: Word Games and Sudoku (for Apple and Android). This app offers access to a variety of games from the New York Times, including Wordle, Crosswords, and more. While some puzzles are free, a subscription is required to access them all. Thankfully, the subscription is just a few dollars a month, so it’s well worth it for avid fans.
• Cross Logic (for Apple and Android). This ad-supported game offers logic puzzles that start basic and get progressively more difficult.

Card and Casino Games

Traditional Card Games

First, there are plenty of apps for all the traditional card games, including Solitaire, FreeCell, Poker, and the like. Some apps focus on a single game, while others branch out and offer multiple types.

The company MobilityWare is a great place to start. Their solitaire app (for Apple and Android) is especially popular, although they offer plenty of others as well. The games are straightforward and clear, with the settings you’d expect.

They are ad-supported, but many are part of the Google Play Pass subscription, so they can be played without ads that way.

Another example is Freecell. This is a strategic solitaire card game where the objective is to move all cards onto foundation piles, organized by suit in ascending order, using eight tableau columns and four free cells for temporary storage.

The game requires careful planning and sharpens cognitive skills, making it especially beneficial for seniors seeking a stimulating yet relaxing pastime on their tablets. Play Freecell on Solitaired.com or find Freecell on the app store.

Modern Card Games

Many companies use cards as the basis for more creative and unusual games. Some of these include:

• Fishdom Solitaire (for Apple and Android)
• Undersea Solitaire Tripeaks (for Apple and Android)
• Solitaire Grand Harvest (for Apple and Android)
• Pyramid Solitaire Saga (for Apple and Android)
• Fairway Solitaire (for Apple and Android)

Fairway Solitaire is the pictured version, one that I’ve played extensively.

Most of these games use the basic solitaire idea where you’re stacking cards based on their number, but they vary the style in countless ways. While the games aren’t much like solitaire at all, they’re still enjoyable and likely to appeal to any solitaire lover.

Notably, the games all have goals and progression that go beyond the hand of cards you’re currently playing.

Mahjong

Mahjong makes its way onto tablets too, with plenty of versions to choose from. As with cards, some games are more traditional than others, so it’s worth experimenting to find the right fit.

Here, we’re focusing on Mahjong Epic (for Apple and Android). This is another Play Pass app, so seniors can try the ad-supported or free version.

There is also a selection of options, including the background, the tile set, and whether free tiles are shown or not.

Entertainment

Kindle

There are plenty eBook reading apps for devices and Kindle (for Apple and Android) is just one of them. Kindle can be a good choice, as buying books through the app (or online) is relatively simple and the prices are often reasonable.

Kindle provides plenty of options for making books easier to read, like changing the contrast and the font size. So, it’s possible to make the font as large or as small as you want, which certainly isn’t possible with a physical book.

There is also a program called Kindle Unlimited. This has a monthly fee and provides unlimited access to a wide range of eBooks and audiobooks. While many books are excluded from the plan, it can be a fantastic choice for fast readers or people who aren’t certain what type of book they want.

Audible

Audible (for Apple and Android) is one of many apps for playing audiobooks. As with Kindle, this app makes it easy to buy books, and both Kindle and Audible are tied to Amazon.

The books can be a bit on the expensive side, but Audible offers a monthly plan that gives users one audiobook per month and 30% off all other audiobooks. This is a great option for seniors who don’t enjoy reading, perhaps due to declining vision.

There’s also a feature called Whispersync for Voice, where you can purchase Kindle books with an Audible companion, then the two versions are synced with each other. This allows users to switch between reading and listening, as their heart desires.

Steaming Apps

Netflix (for Apple and Android) is the most famous example here, giving seniors a selection of movies and TV shows to watch from phones, tablets, computers, and other locations. Because this is a subscription service, there’s just a single monthly cost and no hidden fees.

Its competitor Hulu (also for Apple and Android) is also a good option, as Hulu often has more classic shows than Netflix offers. Don’t be afraid to hunt around either. There are other platforms to consider as well, including Prime Video, Disney +, and HBO Max.

Practical Apps

Big Launcher

This app (for Android). creates a new home screen for Android devices with much larger icons. This can enhance readability for seniors who struggle to see icons on devices, particularly on smaller devices.

This is one of the relatively few Apple or Android apps for seniors that has actually specifically been designed for this population. I found the app useful, but it works better on some devices than on others.

There are other apps by the same company that provide large font in other areas, like BIG Phone for Seniors and BIG SMS for Seniors.

Medication Apps

Various apps can help with medication management. This includes offering medication reminders and helping to keep track of medication.

We’ve covered these in another post, but a particularly good one to start off with is the Medisafe Pill Reminder & Medication app.

There is a wide range of different medication reminder apps that can be very useful for anyone taking multiple medications. I covered these in another post, so I’m not going to go into detail about them here.

Google Photos

Finally, let’s talk about Google Photos.

This is Google’s app for storing and sharing photos. It’s also more than that, as it creates collages, animations, and collections, making it easy to go through images. The current tablet version even groups photos into memory collections, highlighting particular days and experiences in the process.

One of the most exciting aspects is the ability to share images between multiple accounts. This means the app could be set up to show photos from various family members, helping the senior to stay connected with their lives.

There are automatic organization features too, including the ability to filter photos based on who is in them.

Users can even search for features in photos, like ‘garden’ and Google’s AI will try to find the right images. The search is a little hit-and-miss, but it’s still fun to experiment with.

Plus, Google Photos can be set to automatically back up images. This way the senior’s photos are safe, even if they have minimal technical skills.

Bonus Ideas + Honorable Mentions

Before we leave, there are a few games and apps that deserve a shout out.

Minesweeper

Minesweeper is a classic puzzle game where the objective is to clear a board of tiles without detonating hidden mines, using numerical clues to deduce safe squares. It sharpens logic and deduction skills, making it an excellent tablet game choice for seniors seeking both entertainment and cognitive exercise. For a touch-friendly and intuitive experience, seniors can enjoy Minesweeper at Play Minesweeper where the game is available in beginner, intermediate, and expert modes.

Coloring Games

Coloring apps offer some of the same relaxation as adult coloring books, without the need for pens and paper. Happy Color (for Apple and Android) is one of the most popular examples and is well worth trying out.

How to Choose Good Apps

We’ve talked about a number of different apps here, but we’ve only scratched the surface.

Both Apple and Android have immense stores that are constantly updated with new apps. This means the options for Apple and Android apps for seniors are pretty much endless.

Thankfully, there are ways to narrow the list.

Look at Categories and Interests

One of the first things to look at when picking apps for seniors is to explore the type of app the senior may enjoy.

This may take trial and error, plus plenty of patience. But, app stores have categories, such as puzzle and casual games. You can also search for a specific type of app, like ‘word search’, although doing so won’t give you precise results.

When deciding on apps, the star rating can also give an indication of app quality. Typically four- or five-star apps are worth trying while anything three stars or under is questionable.

In many cases, though, it may be a case of downloading apps and trying them out. I don’t recommend this for paid apps, but there is a huge number of free apps in the app stores that you can choose from.

Check Recommendations

Google Play and the Apple App Store both have algorithms and will start recommending games based on what the senior previously enjoyed. You may also get recommendations when you look up games.

Once the senior has found a few games they love, it should be easy to discover more.

Try Play Pass or Apple Arcade

Google and Apple both offer a subscription service that gives users access to many apps for a regular fee. This is a great way to avoid ads and the issue of in-app purchases.

These services have a smaller selection than regular ones, but even this isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes it’s simply easier to make a decision when there are fewer options on hand.

Consider Physical and Mental Ability

What the senior is capable of will make a huge difference in the games they enjoy.

Try looking for games that require some thought and effort, but not so much that they’re frustrating. So, if the senior still does crosswords in the Sunday paper, a crossword or logic puzzles app could be perfect. But, if the senior struggles with simple tasks, a straightforward matching game could be enough.

Offer a Small Selection

If you’re setting up a tablet for a senior, you could include a small selection of apps – like five or six to get them started. This way they can experiment with the apps to see which ones they enjoy, without getting too overwhelmed.

Besides, a person’s mood and energy levels are likely to influence the apps they enjoy, so it’s worth having a few options.

Try Experimenting

Finally, don’t be too fast to assume what the senior will and won’t enjoy – they might surprise you.

For example, an elderly woman I know plays Angry Birds, because the controls are relatively easy to use. Although she enjoys the game, she doesn’t fully understand the physics or strategy behind it, so ends up repeating levels frequently.

And, why not? Who says you need to understand a game to enjoy it?

In contrast, my dad has dementia, yet he is still able to play blackjack online (quite successfully too, I might add), which continues to surprise the family. It must be because of years spent playing blackjack in real casinos – but it’s a strong indication that seniors can be capable of more than we imagine.

Benefits of Tablets for Seniors

Finally, let’s talk about the idea of tablets for seniors. Are tablets healthy? Should seniors really be glued to a screen?

I think we’re often far too black and white about technology.

It’s easy to think that watching movies and playing games is bad. That people should be engaging with life more.

Yet, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Tablets still offer many benefits, as long as they’re not a replacement for other healthy behaviors.

They Offer Social Connection

Some tablet games have a social element, where users can chat to each other and either collaborate or compete. These social connections can be between strangers, while other games use tools like Facebook to allow friends to connect as well.

Apps like Google Photos, Facebook Messenger, and Zoom provide more direct forms of connection. These can be used to help the senior stay in touch with their extended family and share in moments even from a distance.

The connection aspect is especially powerful for seniors who can’t leave the house often.

They’re Entertaining and Cognitively Stimulating

Many games and books are entertaining while also providing cognitive stimulation. This combination can help keep seniors engaged and improve their mood.

Other options are relaxing, perfect for seniors who feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Both approaches are important, as retirement can leave seniors feeling isolated and listless. People who have worked their entire lives suddenly find themselves with a large amount of time that they need to try and fill.

Ideally, seniors should still be going out regularly and engaging in meaningful activities. Still, this doesn’t mean that all activities in the senior’s life need to be meaningful. There’s plenty of space for entertainment too, especially on rainy days and in the evenings.  

Apps Offer Practical Benefits

There are many practical apps as well, including those we’ve featured on our list of apps for caregivers. Practical apps can improve medication management, organization, and more, making life much easier.

Some of the organizational apps could be especially important for seniors who are starting to forget things.

They Can Be Easy To Use

Tablets have large screens and the text is often adjustable. This makes them easy to use, even for seniors with limited eyesight.

You can also set them up to be more senior-friendly, like choosing apps carefully and looking for a launcher that creates large icons and text.

They Promote Independence

Some seniors use tablets to search online, learn new things, and keep up with current events. These features, plus the practical apps, can help seniors to be more independent.

The senior might even learn to use health monitoring tools on the tablet and use this information with their doctor.

I’ve seen some seniors really fly with tablets, as the devices are a fairly easy introduction to the world of technology. There’s suddenly a world of information at their fingertips, which can be exciting and invigorating.

Teaching and Learning

As you might expect, there is a bit of a learning curve with tablets. Some seniors will be able to pick up on how to use tablets and games easily. Others will need more teaching.

The main thing that you may need to teach seniors is the basics of interacting with a tablet.

Tablets use touch screens, which are easy to understand. However, seniors do need to learn how to touch the screen to get the desired outcome and learn the impacts that their actions have on the device.

Even if the senior learns to use the device well, they may find specific tasks challenging.

• For example, one elderly woman I know can use a tablet for several games without any assistance, but still has trouble unlocking the tablet.
• Likewise, you may find that you have to teach and reteach some concepts multiple times.
• Some seniors may be able to figure out games intuitively, while others may need to be taught how to play specific games. This may be a matter of sitting down with them and stepping them through any new game they start.

At the end of the day, this is something you’ll have to figure out on a case-by-case basis. As seniors get better at using tablets, you’ll find that they pick up new games more easily and need less help in general.

Finding a Tablet

Most of the games that seniors will play on tablets aren’t particularly intensive in terms of graphics or processing power. Because of this, getting a good tablet for a senior doesn’t have to be an expensive investment.

In fact, if you have technically minded people in your extended family, you may be able to get one as a hand-me-down.

For example, I know a couple who recently upgraded to newer and faster tablets for personal use.

Their previous tablets ended up being gifted to their mothers. This provided a fantastic introduction to tablets for the seniors, without costing anyone any money.

Additionally, most of the apps discussed here can also be found for Android and Apple smartphones. Smartphones tend to have a much smaller screen, so aren’t suitable for all seniors, but they do offer an alternative to tablets for seniors who have good eyesight.

In The End

Tablets can be a wonderful way of keeping seniors entertained, and there are so many different apps available.

In this post, I’ve focused mostly on apps that I have had experience with and have seen seniors using, but there are many more out there. If you have other ideas for apps for seniors, please let me know in the comments below.

More than anything, the trick to finding the perfect apps for seniors is to engage them in the selection process.

This will let you see what they are most interested in and what type of games they enjoy the most.