By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Hasbro says older people need to have fun just as much as kids, and is working on a range of age-inclusive games for the young at heart.
The fourth of those games, TABOO Charades, has been redesigned by Hasbro’s partner Ageless Innovation, a global company devoted to reimagining how we positively live and age together through the power of play.
Ageless Innovation, working under license from Hasbro, has just released this new … or is it old? … version of Hasbro’s classic TABOO game.
It is the fourth Hasbro games that have been redesigned by Ageless Innovation to enhance the lives of older adults and their families through gameplay. The other three are Trivial Pursuit Generations, Game of Life Generations, and Scrabble Bingo. Alongside the full Ageless Innovation portfolio, TABOO Charades is already available on Amazon; and is set to hit most major retailers in early 2025.
The program leans heavily into the ‘Kidult’ trend we’ve been seeing in the toy industry since the beginning of the pandemic. Ageless Innovation and Hasbro have been working together on the program since early 2023, redesigning games to make them more fun and more suitable for older players.
For example, each game in their portfolio features age-inclusive features, such as easy-to-grasp pieces, easy-to-read content, and/or intergenerational storylines.
The reimagined version of TABOO, TABOO Charades, inserts improv and special charade cards into the classic game, encouraging more physical activity and movement among an aging population. Complete with oversized cards featuring easier-to-read text, recognizable words from the ‘60s and ‘70s, the iconic TABOO electronic buzzer, and a game log to keep track of the memories shared during gameplay, the new edition of TABOO makes it easier than ever for older adults to play, laugh, and join in on the fun.
Ted Fischer, the CEO and Co-Founder of Ageless Innovation, says the ability to join in play with others is just as critical for older adults as it is for children, particularly since many older people often suffer from social isolation.
“This reimagined edition of TABOO offers fresh challenges and content that keeps the classic spirit of TABOO alive while adding new components that make the gameplay more fun and accessible for a different demographic,” said Fischer. “As loneliness and social isolation among older adults continue to surge, it’s more important than ever that we continue engaging this often-underserved community in a meaningful and joyful way, and our incredible and expanding partnership with Hasbro allows us to do just that.”
That partnership is pretty much ideal for the design of age-inclusive games, as it combines Ageless Innovation’s specialized knowledge in creating play experiences for older adults, with Hasbro’s deep expertise in the branded entertainment industry.
Together, Hasbro and Ageless Innovation say it’s their mission “to deliver continued joy, fun, and companionship to families across the globe, with a strong lens on aging loved ones.”
The new Hasbro games expand upon Ageless Innovation’s existing collection of “Joy for All’ products, which includes an award-winning line of animatronic pets and card-based games that facilitate intergenerational connection, stimulate conversation, and improve the quality of life of older adults.
Each game, including TABOO Charades, is also integrated into Ageless Innovation’s ongoing Reach Out and Play program, a nationwide initiative designed to create meaningful social connections for older adults by bringing people of all ages together through the power of play.
According to a recent study from AARP, 66% of older adults surveyed expressed the importance of gameplay in forming connections with peers and reducing stress, feelings of boredom, and feelings of loneliness.
Ageless Innovation also notes its product and partnership portfolio, including the launch of TABOO Charades, is important in combatting the many issues faced by older adults, particularly during the holiday season.
TABOO Charades is available for purchase now on Amazon.com and retails at $24.99.
For additional information about Ageless Innovation and its product portfolio, visit Ageless Innovation via JoyForAll.com
Who’s News: Licensing Vet Alice Burden Joins Toon2Tango As Creative Director