Free Shabbos games
No board, no batteries, no problem. These games use things you already have at home, or nothing at all. Some are classics with a twist, and some you may not have heard of before.
What Has More?
You need: two containers of different shapes and sizes (a tall, skinny one and a short, wide one work best), plus something to fill them, like chocolate chips, cereal or Lego.
Fill both containers and set them side by side. Everyone guesses which one holds more, and then you count them together to find out. The answer is often a surprise!
This one is a favorite of mine. It helps kids build spatial awareness and counting skills, and the counting part keeps them busy long enough for parents to enjoy a little quiet time.
Shabbos note: Fill the containers with things that are fine to handle on Shabbos, like chocolate chips, cereal or toys. Uncooked beans and rice may be muktzeh, so ask your own Rabbi before using them, or save that version for a weekday.
20 Questions, Parsha edition
You need: nothing.
One player thinks of a person, place or object from this week’s Parsha. Everyone else takes turns asking yes-or-no questions, up to 20 in total, to figure out what it is. Whoever guesses it picks the next one.
It’s a fun way to review the Parsha at the table without it feeling like a quiz. Younger kids can team up with an older sibling or a parent, and any Torah story works if you want a bigger pool to choose from.
Geography
You need: nothing.
The first player names a place, like a city, country, river or mountain. The next player has to name a place that starts with the last letter of the one before. So “Jerusalem” could be followed by “Montreal,” then “Lebanon,” and so on. No repeats! If you get stuck, you’re out until the next round.
For a twist, try an Israel round, where only cities, towns and places in Israel count.
Hot and Cold
You need: one small object to hide, like a toy or a spoon.
One player steps out of the room while someone hides the object. When the seeker comes back, everyone guides them only with words: “warm” when they get closer, “cold” when they move away, and “hot!” or “freezing!” when they’re very close or far off. Then switch.
Little ones love being the hider, because they get to be in on the secret.
Shabbos note: Hide something that isn’t muktzeh, like a toy or a spoon.
Minute to Win It
You need: a few everyday things from around the house.
Each challenge has to be finished in one minute. Take turns, cheer each other on, and keep score if you like. A few to try:
- Cookie face: put a cookie on your forehead and get it into your mouth using only your face. No hands!
- Spoon relay: carry a clementine on a spoon across the room and back without dropping it.
- Cup tower: stack 10 plastic cups into a pyramid, then back into a single stack.
- Nose push: push an orange across the floor to the finish line using only your nose.
- Book balance: walk across the room and back with a paperback balanced on your head.
- Candy scoop: with your eyes closed, use a spoon to move wrapped candies from one bowl to another.
Shabbos note: Use a regular watch or clock to time each minute, not a phone or a sand timer. Skip anything with coins, pens or electronics, and stick to items that are fine to handle on Shabbos.
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