6 Best Board Games For Hand Arthritis That OTs Recommend

A weekly game night with friends or family is a cherished ritual, a time for laughter and friendly competition. But when shuffling cards or gripping small game pieces starts to cause a familiar ache in your hands, that joy can be overshadowed by discomfort. Proactively choosing the right activities and tools isn’t about limitation; it’s about ensuring these important social connections continue to be a source of pleasure, not pain.

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Choosing Games to Ease Joint & Hand Strain

When occupational therapists (OTs) evaluate activities for clients with hand arthritis, they look for specific characteristics that reduce stress on vulnerable joints. The goal is to minimize actions that require a tight "pincer grasp"—the pinching motion between the thumb and forefinger. This movement puts significant pressure on the thumb’s carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, a common site of arthritic pain.

Instead, look for games with components that encourage a more open, relaxed hand posture. Think about pieces you can pick up with your whole hand or slide easily across a surface. Larger, thicker, and more tactile components are always preferable to small, fiddly ones.

Consider the entire gameplay loop. Does the game require constant shuffling of cards? Does it involve writing with a small pencil on a tiny scorepad? Every element, from setup to scoring, contributes to the overall physical demand. The best choices are games that are engaging mentally but gentle physically.

MindWare’s Qwirkle for Dexterity & Strategy

Qwirkle is a fantastic example of a game that is both strategically deep and ergonomically sound. The game involves placing chunky, wooden tiles onto a flat surface to create lines of matching colors or shapes. There are no cards to hold, no board to manage, and no tiny pieces to manipulate.

The tiles themselves are the star. They are about an inch square and a satisfying quarter-inch thick, making them incredibly easy to pick up from the table or pull from the included cloth bag. You can slide them, nudge them with a finger, or lift them with a relaxed palm-up motion. This design completely bypasses the need for a stressful pincer grip, allowing for longer, more comfortable play sessions.

Blokus by Mattel: Abstract Fun, No Pinching

Imagine a game like Tetris, but played competitively on a board. That’s the essence of Blokus, an abstract strategy game where players fit brightly colored, geometric pieces into a grid. The beauty of this game for those with hand concerns lies in the design of the pieces themselves.

Each piece is a unique shape made of lightweight plastic, large enough to be grasped with the entire hand. You can pick them up, turn them over, and test their fit without ever needing to pinch. The act of placing a piece is a simple, low-impact motion. Blokus is a highly visual and tactical game that proves mental challenge doesn’t require physical strain.

Jumbo Sequence: Less Strain with a Larger Board

Many beloved classic games rely on playing cards, which can be a significant barrier for those with arthritis. Holding, fanning, and shuffling a deck of cards requires sustained grip strength and fine motor control. Jumbo Sequence offers a brilliant modification to a classic, making it accessible and enjoyable.

The game is played on a massive, cushioned mat that can be placed on a large table or even the floor. The playing cards are oversized, and the marker chips are large, flat discs that are easy to pick up and place. The sheer scale of the game reduces the need for pinpoint precision. You aren’t trying to place a tiny peg in a tiny hole; you’re placing a substantial chip onto a large, clear square. It’s a perfect solution for multigenerational game nights, ensuring no one is left out.

Rummikub Large Numbers for Easy Tile Handling

Rummikub has been a staple for decades, blending the strategy of rummy with the tactile feel of mahjong. The standard tiles can sometimes be thin and tricky to pick up from a flat surface. This is where choosing the right edition makes all the difference.

The Rummikub Large Numbers Edition is a game-changer. The tiles are thicker, larger, and feature high-contrast, oversized numbers that reduce visual strain. The included tile racks are well-designed to hold the pieces securely, eliminating the need to grip them for long periods. This version transforms the game into a much more comfortable experience, allowing you to focus on your strategy, not on fumbling with the components.

Kingdomino: Lightweight, Easy-to-Place Tiles

For a game that is quick to learn and gentle on the hands, Kingdomino is an outstanding choice. In this award-winning game, players draft domino-like tiles to build their own 5×5 kingdom. The core components are the tiles themselves, which are made of thick, high-quality, and surprisingly lightweight cardboard.

There is no pinching or forceful gripping required at any stage. You simply select a tile and place it next to another in your growing kingdom. The tiles don’t need to be slotted or snapped into place, just set down. From its simple setup to its breezy gameplay, Kingdomino is a low-impact, highly satisfying experience that is perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

Hive: A Durable Game with Easy-to-Grasp Pieces

Hive is a brilliant two-player abstract strategy game often described as "chess without a board." The game pieces are its most notable feature: they are substantial, hexagonal tiles made of Bakelite, giving them a pleasing weight and durability. They feel solid and are incredibly easy to handle.

Because there is no board, you simply place and slide the pieces on any flat surface. The tiles are over an inch wide and nearly half an inch thick, making them easy to grasp with a full-hand grip or simply push into position. Hive is a testament to how high-quality, thoughtfully designed components can create a game that is both intellectually stimulating and physically accessible.

Essential Game Aids: Card Holders & Dice Trays

Sometimes the best solution isn’t a new game, but a tool that adapts the games you already own and love. For anyone who struggles with holding a hand of cards for Bridge, Hearts, or even Uno, a simple card holder is an indispensable aid. These can be simple slotted wooden blocks or plastic stands that sit on the table, displaying your cards for you and completely eliminating hand strain.

Similarly, chasing runaway dice or struggling to get a good roll can be frustrating. A dice tray, with its soft, contained walls, keeps dice on the table and within easy reach. For even greater ease, a dice tower allows you to simply drop the dice in the top, and they tumble through a series of baffles to land perfectly rolled in a tray at the bottom.

These aids are not just for convenience; they are enabling tools. They are a perfect example of a small, stylish modification that preserves a cherished social activity. Investing in a handsome wooden card holder or a felt-lined dice tray is a proactive step toward ensuring game night remains a highlight for years to come.

Continuing to enjoy the hobbies that bring you joy and connection is a cornerstone of aging in place successfully. By making thoughtful choices about game design and embracing simple, elegant aids, you can ensure that a little friendly competition never comes at the cost of your comfort. The right game isn’t just about the rules; it’s about how it feels in your hands.