Make the Kids’ Table More Fun Than the Adult Table

Writing by Serena Norr

Artwork by Justin Negard

Forever stuck at the kids’ table? Well, jokes on the adults because there’s more fun to be had at your table. And if you don’t believe us, we’re sharing some new ways to make the most of your time at the kids’ table, no matter your age.

Act like an adult 

Adults are so serious, aren’t they? But they’re also kind of funny.  Bring on the funny by each person taking on the role of an adult at the other table. Spend the meal mimicking their mannerisms, voice and/or posture (exaggerated, of course). After you’ve mastered these roles, see if the adults can guess who each of you is playing.

Play the name trade game 

Over the holidays, you might find yourself spending time with cousins and family members you haven’t seen in months. Break the ice by trading names. Write everyone’s name on a piece of paper and toss them all in a bowl. Whatever name you choose is your new name for the meal. (Bonus points for creating a new personality to go along with the new name.) Not only will you have fun taking on a new name, but it’s fun to watch everyone try to remember to call you someone else throughout the night.

Food personality games 

If your food could talk, how would it act? Would your sweet potatoes actually be sweet? Your turkey have an attitude? Does your stuffing speak with a southern accent? Go around the table and allow each person to take on the personality of a food on their plate.

Bonus: Act out a scene with a partner where you each take on your food personality. You can write it out first or practice your improv skills. 

Create personal emoji table cards

Ever feel like you’re experiencing all the moods? We love how emojis accurately describe what we’re going through, but we think there are some emojis yet to be created. Help everyone at your table express their emotions by creating their very own table card emojis. This activity is super fun for both kids and adults (but you have our permission to make this a kids-only activity). Here’s how to make your very own table card emojis:

Supplies

• Scratch paper
• Construction paper or regular white paper, cut in half
• Markers or crayons
• Stickers
• Glitter
• Glue

Instructions

Grab a piece of scratch paper and a marker or crayon. Check in with yourself —how are you feeling? Write down a list of those moods.

Take a half-piece of construction or plain white paper and fold it in half.

Think of a visual image that represents your mood and feelings, then draw and color it.

Jazz it up with glitter and/or stickers.

Bonus: Pick names out of a bowl and make an emoji table card for another person. When done, place the card you made at a spot on the table(s); kids and adults have to guess who they are and who made their card.

Have a “like” contest

The word “like” is like, incredibly overused. Have you ever noticed how even, like, your parents seem to use it, like, all the time (okay, we’ll stop). While a fun word, when used too much it can be difficult to understand the person. 

Here’s a fun dinner table activity we’re calling the “Anti-Like Game.” You can play it throughout the meal and actually win some money. 

1. Each person at the table takes out 10 pennies, nickels, dimes or quarters (agree on the amount ahead of time) and places them next to their plate. Note: It’s a good idea to notify everyone ahead of time so they have enough coins with them. 
2. Go around the table and start to tell a story—it can be about anything! 
3. The second someone says the word “like,” they must place a coin in the center. 
4. The person who gets through a round (one full turn around the table) with the most coins left wins all the coins in the center. 
5. Play a couple of rounds, switching up the order by going in reverse or starting with someone new each time. Create a new story for each round. The game ends when someone, like, runs out of coins.

Bonus: Give prizes to the first, second and third-place winners. 

This article was published in the November/December 2024 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.

To read other articles in this special 18 and under guide to surviving the holidays, click here.