Buzz
Long before the era of television, video games, and the internet, Victorians discovered countless ways to entertain themselves during the holidays. They relied on creativity, using everything from flaming raisins to their boundless imaginations to enjoy their time. Here are 15 timeless parlor games to try if you and your family want to disconnect and embrace a more traditional holiday experience.
1. FICTIONARY
Word games, whether in the form of board games or mobile apps, remain immensely popular today. Victorians also adored them, though their options were far more limited. Instead of tapping on a screen, players would flip through a dictionary. In Fictionary, one participant selects an obscure word from the dictionary, while others invent their own definitions. The reader then shares the fake definitions alongside the real one, and players vote on which they believe is correct. Made-up definitions score points for each vote they attract, and players earn points for identifying the true meaning. If no one guesses correctly, the dictionary holder scores a point.
2. SQUEAK PIGGY SQUEAK
Also referred to as Oink Piggy Oink or Grunt Piggy Grunt, Squeak Piggy Squeak is a playful variation of Blind Man’s Bluff. One participant, designated as the 'farmer,' is blindfolded and seated on a pillow in the middle of a circle of 'piggies.' After a few spins, the farmer moves toward a random piggy, places the pillow on their lap, and sits down, declaring, 'Squeak Piggy Squeak.' The chosen piggy must then produce a squeaking noise. If the farmer correctly identifies the piggy based on the sound, that piggy becomes the new farmer. While not as enduring as Blind Man’s Bluff, this game could still serve as a fun and engaging icebreaker at modern gatherings.
3. THE MINISTER’S CAT
The Minister’s Cat is a classic word game where participants sit in a circle and take turns describing the minister’s cat using unique adjectives. Each adjective must begin with a successive letter of the alphabet, starting with 'A.' For instance, the first player might say, 'The minister’s cat is an agile cat,' followed by, 'The minister’s cat is a brave cat.' Players are eliminated if they repeat an adjective or cannot think of a new one.
4. THE SCULPTOR
This game allows participants to unleash their creativity. Players remain motionless as the designated 'sculptor' moves around, arranging everyone into amusing poses. Statues must refrain from laughing, moving, or smiling. If they do, the sculptor becomes a statue, and the rule-breaker takes over the sculptor’s role. Everyone should have a turn as the sculptor, as it’s undoubtedly the most entertaining position in the game.
5. CHANGE SEATS!
If you thought musical chairs was chaotic, wait until you try Change Seats! Players sit in a circle of chairs, with one person standing in the middle. The person in the center asks a seated player, 'Do you love your neighbor?' If the answer is 'No,' the two neighbors must quickly swap seats before the center player can steal one. If the answer is 'Yes,' the responder can add a condition, such as 'except those wearing red.' Everyone matching the description must then scramble to switch seats while the center player tries to claim a spot.
6. ARE YOU THERE, MORIARTY?
Are You There, Moriarty? resembles Marco Polo but is played on dry land. Two blindfolded participants lie face-down on the floor, an arm’s length apart, each holding a rolled-up newspaper. The game starts when one player calls out, 'Are you there, Moriarty?' Upon hearing the response, the caller attempts to lightly tap their opponent with the newspaper. The playful duel continues until both players decide they’ve had enough fun.
7. FRUIT BOWL
Fruit Bowl adds a fruity twist to the classic game of musical chairs. Players are assigned fruit names like apple, banana, or strawberry and sit in a circle, leaving one person standing. The standing player calls out a fruit, such as 'apple,' prompting all 'apples' to switch seats. Meanwhile, the caller tries to grab a seat. The last person left standing becomes the next caller.
8. PASS THE SLIPPER
For this game, a slipper or any small, lightweight object will suffice. One participant sits in the center of a circle with their eyes closed while others pass the item around. The center player occasionally opens their eyes, and the passing stops. If they can’t spot who holds the slipper, they must guess. A correct guess means the holder and the guesser swap places.
9. CONSEQUENCES
If you’ve ever participated in a group storytelling activity, you’re already familiar with the essence of Consequences. This version, however, can result in even more amusing and sometimes bizarre outcomes. The game begins with the first player drawing a head (human, animal, or mythical) on a piece of paper, then folding it to conceal the drawing. The paper is passed to the next player, who adds a torso, followed by another who draws legs, and so on. Once completed, the paper is unfolded to reveal the collaborative masterpiece—or monstrosity—created by the group.
10. THE LAUGHING GAME
The Laughing Game is simple yet challenging. One player starts by saying 'ha' with a completely straight face. The next player adds 'ha ha,' and the following continues with 'ha ha ha,' and so on around the circle. The goal is to keep the chain going without laughing or even smiling. Anyone who breaks character is eliminated from the game.
11. WINK MURDER
A holiday gathering isn’t complete without a thrilling murder mystery. In this game, one player secretly becomes the 'murderer,' while another takes on the role of the detective. The murderer discreetly winks at other players, 'killing' them off one by one. The detective must use keen observation and logic to identify the murderer within three guesses.
12. ELEPHANT’S FOOT UMBRELLA STAND
While elephant’s foot umbrella stands are no longer a household staple, the game inspired by them remains entertaining. The leader begins by stating, 'I went to the store and bought…' followed by an item that adheres to a secret rule they’ve established. For instance, if the rule is that all items must end with the letter 'E,' the leader might say, 'I went to the store and bought an apple.' Players then take turns guessing the rule by suggesting items. If a player says, 'I went to the store and bought a chair,' the leader might respond, 'They’re all out of chairs.' However, if they suggest 'kite,' the leader approves it without explanation. The game grows more amusing as players gradually decipher the hidden rule, especially for those who take longer to figure it out.
13. LOOKABOUT
Lookabout requires just one object to play. The host displays an item—such as a shoe, vase, or pillow—to the guests before asking them to leave the room. Once the object is hidden, guests return and search for it. Players sit down as soon as they spot the item, and the last person to find it becomes the next hider.
14. FORFEITS
Forfeits is a lively game to get your guests in the party spirit. Each participant surrenders a personal item, such as keys, a phone, or a wallet. A chosen 'auctioneer' then showcases each item as if it’s up for sale. To reclaim their belongings, players must complete a task set by the auctioneer, like singing, revealing a secret, or performing 100 jumping jacks. In today’s smartphone-dominated world, the stakes of this Victorian game feel even more thrilling.
15. SNAP-DRAGON
While Snap-Dragon is undoubtedly a conversation starter, it’s perhaps best left in the Victorian era. During this game, typically played on Christmas Eve, participants would soak raisins in a bowl of brandy, set it alight, and then try to pluck the flaming raisins to eat them. The only objective is to avoid burns, making modern holiday activities like scrolling through your phone seem far safer.
