Holiday Fun and Games

Reminisce with Deanna Bartalini as she discusses old and new games you can play with your whole family this Advent and Christmas season: no screens needed!

Some of my best family memories involve my whole family, great-grandparents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, brothers and sisters sitting around the table after dinner playing games and singing. I was blessed with those relationships; I treasure these memories very much. 

Since we are in the season of gathering, allow me to suggest non-screen fun that all ages can take part in together.  

No Supplies Needed 

Play Telephone!

Sit in a circle, pick a short phrase, and whisper it in the ear of the person to your right. Keep it going all the way around until the last person says what was heard. Then the person who started the phrase says it for all to hear. The two phrases are often miles apart. 

Freeze Dance Party

Put on the music, stand up, and dance! Older folks can chair dance while the toddlers run around like, well, toddlers. Someone stops the music periodically and you freeze. This can be done for quite a while, and it is good to either pep people up or get the wiggles out.

Guessing Games 

Morra is a hand and number calling guessing game. In our house, we played in Italian, accompanied by fists pounding on the table. I do not recall why they were banging. But I found some instructions if you would like to learn more or play it, in whatever language you can count to 10 in.   

Let’s Sing 

True story time, we did this often at our house, sometimes we snag in English, sometimes in Italian. If we were feeling energetic, we might go upstairs to where the piano was, and my mother played and we sang along. And, at some point, we decided to record the singing. My mom used a cassette recorder. I do not think we have them anymore, or maybe we do but they are too fragile to play. My grandmother and her brothers had amazing voices. I can still remember my great uncles singing Old Man River (from the musical, Showboat) and Danny Boy. 
 
If you want to stick to traditional Christmas carols that is a fun way to pass your favorites on to the next generation. This site has lyrics for many Christmas Carols.  

If you would like to insert a bit of education on the faith, The Catholic Kid has a download available for $.99 on the 12 Days of Christmas. Each of days’ lyrics are together with the catholic meaning, for example, 4 Calling Birds and the 4 Gospel writers on one coloring sheet.  

Games That Need a Bit of Planning 

Pokeno

One of the fun games that we play now with our grandchildren is Pokeno. The game says 6+ but I think a 4-year-old could play with a bit of help.  

Chopstick Challenge

I found this game for Thanksgiving, but it can be played anytime. Using chopsticks, you move items from one plate to another for a minute. The winner is the one who was able to move the most items.

You can use cotton balls, small shells, or small food items. We used Corn Nuts (FYI: link is for reference, I bought mine at Trader Joe’s), since they have good texture to make it easier to pick up with the chopsticks. Another suggestion was candy corn or M&Ms. Shelled nuts would also work. The smoother the item, the harder it is to move, so keep that in mind if you have many little ones.  

Left-Right Game 

This is often played at showers or at white elephant gift parties. You will need a Left/Right story. I found this one using the story of the Nativity. You can find many online. You will also need a few wrapped prizes or a small, wrapped gift for everyone. Give out the prizes, if it is a few, space them out. Then make sure everyone knows their left and right. Help the little ones. But honestly, as the story is read, even adults forget which way to pass. The rules are simple, pass the gift left or right each time you hear left or right. At the end, whatever you have in your hands is yours to keep!  

A Super Simple Craft 

I hesitate to call this a craft, but it does require ribbon and scissors, so I think it is a craft. You will also need clear, unbreakable ornament globes and a tag. Pair an adult with a child. Give the adults ribbon and scissors, use the ribbon to measure the child and cut the ribbon. Roll it up and place it in the ornament, add a tag with the child’s name and year. Some people have a cute poem they add, but I tend to go simple. 

I hope you enjoy the seasons of Advent and Christmas. If you have any fun family games, tell us in the comments, as they say, the more the merrier.  

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Copyright 2025 Deanna Bartalini
Images: Canva

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