A quiz for seniors that everyone can join
For a family evening with grandma and grandpa, the activity afternoon at a care home or the seniors' club: questions big on the TV, playing along on a phone, at your own pace. No app or account needed, free to start.
Why a quiz works so well for seniors
- Reminiscing is half the game: questions about the old days spark conversations by themselves.
- The questions are big on the TV, so nobody has to read along on a small screen.
- The quizmaster decides when the next question comes, so between questions there's plenty of time for stories.
- Playing along works on your own phone, or together with a grandchild, family member or caregiver on one device.
- Answers and points are handled automatically; the organizer doesn't have to check or tally anything.
For the living room and the common room
At home on the couch with grandma and grandpa it works just as well as in the common room of a care home or at the seniors' club. For a bigger group, put the quiz on a TV or projector and let residents play in pairs, with a caregiver, volunteer or grandchild next to them. That way people without a smartphone join in too.
How it works
- Put the quiz on the TV or laptop and show the join code and QR code.
- Players scan the code with a phone; sharing one phone works too.
- You play the rounds at an easy pace, with the standings on the screen.
Sample questions that land well with seniors
Questions about the fifties, sixties and seventies always do well. Eight examples to use yourself (answers in italics):
- Who won the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest for the Netherlands with 'Een beetje'? Teddy Scholten.
- What was the Dutch currency before the euro? The guilder.
- Which Dutch club was the first to win the European Cup, in 1970? Feyenoord.
- In which year did the North Sea flood hit Zeeland? 1953.
- Who was queen of the Netherlands from 1948 to 1980? Juliana.
- Which game show did Mies Bouwman present on Saturday nights for years? Eén van de acht.
- Who made the song 'Aan de Amsterdamse grachten' famous? Wim Sonneveld.
- How many provinces did the Netherlands have before Flevoland was added in 1986? Eleven.
Rather not read out and check answers yourself? On Kwishetwel the questions are big on the TV and points are counted automatically. You'll find more loose questions in our 100+ pub quiz questions with answers.
Tips for caregivers and organizers
- Form pairs of a resident with a volunteer, caregiver or grandchild: one phone per pair is enough, and the deliberating is at least as much fun.
- Take your time between questions: for this group the story behind the answer often beats the points.
- Pick a big screen and turn the sound on; a music round with classics is the highlight for many seniors.
- Keep it to two or three rounds of ten questions; forty-five minutes of quiz is just right for most groups.
Read out a quiz yourself or host it on the TV?
Reading out a paper quiz or PDF works too, of course, but then the caregiver spends the whole afternoon reading questions, collecting answers and counting points, and whoever sits in the back can't read along.
On the TV everyone reads along, points count themselves and there's time left for the real work: the stories the questions bring up. Free to start; what the subscriptions cost is below.
What does it cost?
Starting for free is always possible: multiple choice and word association. Want more round types, like music rounds? Subscriptions start at €3.99 per month and can be cancelled monthly. One account covers the whole group, however often you play.
Frequently asked questions about a quiz for seniors
Does every participant need a smartphone?
No. Playing in pairs works fine: a resident together with a caregiver, volunteer or family member on one phone. Joining goes via a QR code or the code at kwishetwel.com/join, without an app or account.
Isn't it too fast or too complicated?
The quizmaster decides when the next question comes, so between questions there's plenty of room to talk. Joining takes two steps: scan the QR code and pick a name.
Does it work on the TV in the common room?
Yes, anything with a browser works: a laptop connected to the TV or projector via HDMI, or a Chromecast. Internet and a free account are enough.
Are there questions about the old days?
The library includes music rounds with classics and general knowledge across the decades. With the Ultimate subscription you write your own rounds about the old days, the neighborhood or your own club.
What does it cost for a care home or club?
Starting is free. If you want more round types, one subscription from €3.99 per month covers the whole group, however big it is, and you can cancel monthly.
Also fun: the family quiz for a birthday or the Christmas quiz for the holidays.