Original
The Tovertafel Original is a fun care innovation that connects older people in the late stage of their dementia journey with each other and with their surroundings, all the while stimulating movement. The beautiful games were developed specifically for the target group and can be played both independently and under supervision.
What is the Tovertafel Original?
Are you looking for a fun way to stimulate people with dementia to move more and interact socially? The Tovertafel Original was developed for and with people in the moderate to severe stages of dementia. The interactive games break through apathy by stimulating both physical and cognitive activity and encouraging social interaction. Moreover, the Tovertafel creates treasured moments with family members and carers. These games are all about enjoyment and wonder!The Tovertafel is a little box that can be mounted on the ceiling, for instance, above the dining room table of a care institute. Inside the box is a high-quality projector, infrared sensors, speaker, and processor that work together to project the games onto the table. Because the colourful objects respond to hand and arm movements, residents get to play with the light itself.
Learn more about the Tovertafel’s specifications

How was the Tovertafel developed?
Research is central to what we do. Not only did the Tovertafel emerge from the PhD research of Hester Le Riche, all our products are the result of a thorough design process. At Active Cues, there are always a couple of students who are doing research for their studies, which means that the Tovertafel is always improving.
We develop the Tovertafel games through the co-design method, working together with the target group and their environment. We talk with care workers and family members and each new game is tested with the residents. Because we actively involve them in the design process, we can tailor our products to their needs and interest, and thereby ensure that games will stimulate them as best as possible.
See the research that went into developing the Tovertafel Original
"Residents really enjoy the moment. The Tovertafel creates a means of communicating for residents that otherwise have difficulties with understanding each other."
Nienke Holst – Careyn-
Cognitive Social Physical
Sheetmusic
Tovertafel OriginalReveal musical pieces together by touching as many musical notes as possible.
The Musical Score game encourages players to make music together. Musical notes are dancing across the table! When players touch the notes, a familiar melody is played. This gives them the sense of making the music themselves without any false notes. Play, sing or hum: everyone can participate. It’s sociable and fun!
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Cognitive Social Physical
Birdfeeder
Tovertafel OriginalLet the outdoors in and feed the birds that land on the table.
Roll the fat balls around and spread the bird feed across the table. Through the pleasant auditory sensation of twittering birds, this game evokes memories of times gone by. Even better: the birds aren’t skittish! If you’re careful, the birds will sit still and even let you pet them.
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Cognitive Social Physical
Music box
Tovertafel OriginalWind the key by collecting music notes and enjoy the music
All the music notes dropped from the music box. Gather them from the table and complete the piece of music. This game is relaxing and evokes beautiful memories. One person can touch the notes while others can enjoy the calming images and recognisable classic tunes: everyone can join in!
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Cognitive Social Physical
Kites
Tovertafel OriginalThree colourful kites dance across the table and will twist and turn once you touch them. Just like when you used to go to the beach, you are totally engrossed in this riveting spectacle.
The game Kites creates a relaxing atmosphere in the room. The lively colours and zooming sounds really invite the players to move. The kites respond both to small and large intuitive movements and continually change the pattern they make across the table. Be amazed!
Benefits of the Tovertafel Original
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Effective in breaking through apathy
Evaluation studies show improvements in physical activity¹, social interaction¹ and quality of life² in people with moderate to severe dementia. Care professionals we’ve spoken to confirm these results. -
Based on scientific research
The Tovertafel is the result of PhD research¹ at the TU Delft. Together with universities across the world, we keep studying and developing the effects of the Tovertafel Original. -
Developed through co-design
The enthusiastic Active Cues’ team works closely with care workers, residents, and their family. New insights from practice are used to improve the games, ensuring that they perfectly suit the target group. -
Projects intuitive games that increase self-esteem
The pretty, moving light projections stimulate intuitive movements. The sense of wonder is complete when players learn that the games respond to even the smallest movements. ‘Look at what I can do!’ -
Leaves the familiar environment intact
The portable device hangs, out of sight, on the ceiling and projects onto the familiar table. With a press of the button, you can turn the table into a playing field without having to change the safe, familiar surroundings of the residents. -
Pioneer in the market
Active Cues is market leader in interactive games for people with dementia and the Tovertafel has become a popular activity in care centres in the Netherlands and abroad. People can play with the Tovertafel at over 1800 locations!

Tovertafel Original
When you purchase the Tovertafel Original package you receive:
- Tovertafel box (34 x 38 x 24cm), including remote control
- 8 games
- 4 mounting systems*
- Installation on location
- Training for staff
- 2 months' support from a Tovertafel Buddy, on location
- 2-year guarantee on the equipment
- 4000 hours' usage guaranteed for the projector lamp
* The Tovertafel can be used in different rooms in the care institution because it is delivered with four mounting systems. It's easy to take down and hang somewhere else.
Purchasing a Tovertafel
We place a high value on quality and service, and with our extensive service we ensure that the installation and use of Tovertafel is as simple as possible. For more information about the costs, please contact us.
Request pricing information Order the Tovertafel Original Rent a Tovertafel Original
Why Active Cues?

Training & support
Discover all the possibilities of the Tovertafel! After the Tovertafel is installed, we offer staff and family members extensive support on the daily use of the Tovertafel. We even provide you with a special Tovertafel buddy!

Co-design
Because we use the co-design method and actively involve our target groups in the design process, we can tailor our products to their needs and interest. That way, we ensure that games will stimulate them as best as possible

Scientific research
The Tovertafel is based on scientific research. In her PhD research, Hester Le Riche studied how the physical and social environment affect activity among older people with dementia. She also did a literature study into their play experiences.
Questions
Do you have questions about the Tovertafel, or do you want to know more about purchasing the Tovertafel or one of its games? Then perhaps you can find the answer in the FAQs. If you would prefer to speak to someone in person, please get in touch.