Hi, my Saltines. It’s Courtney.
I hear this one a lot: “Courtney, is there anything on the computer that’s just easy? No passwords, no ads popping up everywhere, no buttons the size of a grain of rice?”
There is, and it’s right here on our website. We put together a free online coloring book and a memory match game for exactly that reason. You don’t sign up for anything, you don’t download anything, and nobody’s timing you. You just open the page and play.
The coloring book
You’ve got 16 pictures to pick from. There are pretty ones, like a flower pot, a sunflower, a butterfly and an apple tree. There are cozy ones, like a cottage, a sleepy cat and a teatime scene. There’s a Christmas tree and a snowman for this time of year. And a few that’ll take you back: a rotary phone, an old radio and a classic car.
Here’s the best part if your hands aren’t as steady as they used to be: you don’t have to stay inside the lines. Pick a color, tap a shape, and it fills right in. Don’t like it? Tap it again with a different color, or hit Undo. When you’re happy with it, print it out and stick it on the fridge, or mail it to somebody who could use a smile.
Memory match
This one’s an old favorite. Sixteen cards are face down. You flip two at a time and try to find the matching pairs.
We filled it with things a lot of us grew up with: the rotary phone, the radio, a record, the TV set, a typewriter, a glass milk bottle, a film reel and a letter in the mailbox. Half the fun is remembering.
And there’s no clock. I mean it. Go refill your coffee, answer the door, come back later. It’ll wait for you.
Is it really worth the time?
I think so. Coloring for half an hour can be really relaxing, a matching game keeps your mind busy, and it just feels good to finish something. Now, I won’t tell you a game replaces your doctor, because it doesn’t. But a little fun is part of a good day, and we could all use more of those.
Where these really shine, though, is bringing people together.
Get the grandkids involved. Color the same picture and see whose turns out wilder. Or get them on a video call, put the memory game on your screen, and let them shout out which card to flip. Kids love it when Grandma loses. (Let them win once in a while.)
And when that rotary phone card turns over, tell them about it. Your old phone number. The party line. Stretching the cord all the way into the closet for a little privacy. They’ll think you’re making it up.
Turn it into a card
If you color something you’re proud of, don’t let it sit there. Our free greeting card maker lets you add a photo and a message, then print it, save it as a PDF or text it to family. I walk you through it here: how to make your own greeting card online.
A few tips if the computer isn’t your favorite thing
- Make everything bigger. On a computer, hold down Ctrl and press + (on a Mac it’s Command and +). On a phone or tablet, put two fingers on the screen and spread them apart.
- Try a tablet if you’ve got one. Tapping with your finger is a lot easier than chasing a mouse around.
- Have a grandkid bookmark the page so it’s one tap away next time.
Looking for more? Take a stroll down Memory Lane for old newspapers, classic TV and old-time radio, or try a few of my fun activities for seniors at home.
Have fun, Saltines. And if there’s a picture you’d love to color, let me know.