There’s cool trivia online where you can test your knowledge on classic films, culture, and events that happened throughout time. Some of these websites are full of ads and make it impossible to play, but others are streamlined and make family get togethers – with multiple generations – that much more fun. Last night, we found one on YouTube from a channel called Extra Medium Stuff. It’s not always about classics, but they do test knowledge on all subjects. The best part of all was that my 65-year-old mother played with us “kids” and not one person was bored.
If you watch any of these videos, you’ll start to notice that they also use participants of various ages. That makes it interesting to see how memory and education work throughout time. You can also identify which young person has an old soul, and which elderly person stays sharp by keeping up with subjects mentioned in trivia games. Pop culture changes, but certain things don’t.
Subjects That Change Throughout History
Movies
Dance Moves
Songs
Technology
Economics
Events
Subjects That Don’t Change with Time
Geography
Sports
Classic authors
Food
Scientific names
Chemistry
Mathematics
To be fair, sure, some of these things change, but most of the time there is a common theme. For example, what’s the most sold vegetable in the world? If you guessed potato, you’re correct. What’s the most common food eaten in America? French Fries, but that could’ve been different throughout time. Perhaps it was pea salad, or liver, or meatloaf. But if you look at the breakfast plate of many Americans, especially in a place like Georgia or Alabama, you’re going to see eggs, bacon, and potatoes, paired with coffee and orange juice.
I’m rambling here but wanted to write this because it was a good time to play trivia with my mother. She knew a lot of the current or more recent pop culture answers because of her granddaughters. And I knew how to identify the dance move The Twist, when they showed a picture of two people posed in a twisted position. Caregivers could seriously add to a senior’s life if they bring trivia into the mix of their duties. I mean, if you’re going to offer companion care to your mom or dad, why not add fun games that build their cognitive function?
And what’s more is that you also get smarter and support your brain. How can brain work be so much fun? Everyone gets something out of this.
Here’s a cute little story. My youngest niece is seven years old. During my brother’s birthday party, we all sat around the table outside to share stories and enjoy refreshments. My niece wanted to play the “Question Game” where she asks a question and everyone gives their answer while the rest of us listen. The questions got deep, too.
She asked things like:
- What’s your first memory?
- If you had 6 months to live, how would you spend it?
- If you had one superpower, what would it be?
Our answers were heartfelt and my little niece also answered with emotion. We were all surprised at how adult she seemed. We often refer to her as an old soul, or “the little old lady in a kid’s body” because she is fascinated by things we mostly see adults fascinated with – like constellations, math, oil painting, crocheting, gardening, baking, you name it. This girl studies it all.
Can you imagine a game of trivia with her and my mother competing? It’d be worth the watch! So, for me, and my siblings, as caregivers for my mother, we get the kids involved. We all play games where everyone feels included. If you’re a family caretaker, then maybe trivia is your next form of entertainment.
Give it a try and let me know how it went! We’re going to play ours for Thanksgiving!