Forgotten Local Caribbean Christmas Games and Activities: Rediscovering Old Customs
- Nadia Renata
- Dec 19, 2024
- 13 min read
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago has always been a time for family, food, music and most importantly, fun. It was about people. Long days. Open yards. Noise, laughter, competition and the kind of fun that didn’t require batteries, Wi-Fi or screens. While modern Christmas celebrations now lean heavily on parties, playlists and digital entertainment, there was a time when games and shared activities were at the heart of the season.
Many of these traditions are quietly fading. Some are barely remembered. Others are known in name only. These games were once central to Christmas celebrations and they offer a joyful, nostalgic way to rediscover the essence of holiday fun.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore some of the best Christmas games and activities from Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean, as a reminder of what we stand to lose if we don’t keep them alive.
Rummy: The Classic Card Game of Christmas
In Trinidad and Tobago, Rummy is synonymous with Christmas, particularly during the long holiday nights when families and friends gather. Rummy, with its easy-to-understand rules but complex strategy, is a card game that almost every Trini once knew how to play. But the local twist? You’ll often hear about “puss” (cat), “dog,” “block,” or house rules that only applied in that family, everyone knew how to play or learnt very quickly.
How it's played:
Players are dealt a hand of cards and aim to form sets (three or four cards of the same rank) or runs (consecutive cards of the same suit).
Players take turns drawing and discarding cards, trying to form these sets and runs while avoiding being caught with high cards at the end of the round.
Points are earned by forming sets/runs and accumulated over several rounds.
Losing a round might mean you have to contribute to the next batch of sorrel or offer a round of drinks! It’s a perfect blend of competition, laughter and family bonding, and you can’t talk about Christmas games in Trinidad without including it.
Rummy was competitive, loud and full of commentary. It wasn’t just a game; it was bonding, strategy, memory and laughter wrapped into one. Today, many younger people barely know the basics, and some have never played at all.
All Fours: The Trini Tradition
Another favourite in Trinidad and Tobago is All Fours, a game that was brought to the Caribbean by British colonialists but has since been thoroughly embraced by locals. This card game is still a Christmas tradition, particularly during the long evenings spent with family and friends. It remains one of the few traditional card games younger generations recognise but even that knowledge is fading.
How it's played:
Played with a standard deck of cards, the game revolves around winning tricks by having the highest card in each round.
The key goal is to win the “12” card, which is the most valuable card in the game.
Players compete in teams, trying to collect the most points based on the cards they win during tricks.
The game involves strategic thinking, with a strong emphasis on high cards and tricks, and it’s often accompanied by witty banter and playful trash talk among players.
The excitement of All Fours makes it a thrilling and competitive way to spend Christmas evening. These days, many know the name but not the rules and fewer still have played a full game.
Board Games at Christmas: Then and Now
Board games have survived Christmas, though the lineup has changed. Classics like Monopoly and Ludo are still popular, especially in family settings and often serve as an entry point for younger players into competitive play. These games taught patience, turn-taking, negotiation and, occasionally, how to lose gracefully.
What has changed isn’t the love of games; it’s the pace. Board games now compete with phones, notifications and short attention spans. Where once a single game could stretch deep into the night, today it often has to fight for uninterrupted time and focus. The table may still be there, but the rhythm around it has shifted.
Cat’s Cradle: The Quiet Game of Christmas
Not all Christmas games were about loud celebrations and boisterous laughter. In the quieter moments, Cat’s Cradle or String Figures, was a calm but competitive game of skill. Children used a loop of string to create complex shapes and figures with their hands, trying to outdo each other with increasingly intricate patterns.
How it's played:
Players create different shapes or figures by passing the string around their fingers and using their hands to form loops, crosses, and patterns.
The challenge lies not only in making the most intricate or unique figures but also in copying or outdoing the creations of others.
The game requires no equipment other than a piece of string and provides a meditative, peaceful counterpoint to the more raucous Christmas festivities.
It was especially common when the adults were busy cooking or chatting, and kids engaged in this simple yet enthralling game.
Bola (Marbles): A Christmas Throwback
Bola or marbles, was another popular game during Christmas. This classic game was particularly beloved in the streets of Trinidad, where children would gather in circles and challenge one another for bragging rights.
How it's played:
Players use their marbles to knock others out of a designated area, usually a circle or pit marked on the ground.
The objective is to hit and remove your opponents' marbles from the ring, while protecting your own from being knocked out.
Players take turns flicking their marbles with precision to try and knock opponents’ marbles out of the circle.
Marbles was more than just a game; it was a test of skill and strategy, where the stakes might range from someone’s prized marble to the glory of winning. The game kept kids engrossed, especially on Christmas Day when marbles were often played for hours without anyone noticing the time passing by.
Kiddies’ Parang (Musical Chairs with a Christmas Twist)
When the Christmas season rolls around, parang music fills the air, bringing the festive spirit alive. Kiddies’ Parang is a fun spin on the classic musical chairs game, but with a holiday twist.
How it's played:
Children circle around a Christmas-themed mat or cushion as parang music plays.
When the music stops, they must rush to find a seat, just like in musical chairs.
The last child standing, or the one to sit on the last seat, wins the round.
Kiddies' Parang is a fun and energetic way to get children involved in the Christmas festivities, combining music, movement, and friendly competition.
Singing for Supper
One of the most heartwarming traditions in Trinidad and Tobago is “Singing for Supper.” During Christmas, children and adults would go from house to house, singing Christmas carols or performing skits in exchange for food or treats.
How it's played:
Groups of children (or adults) visit homes in the neighbourhood and sing traditional Christmas carols.
In some cases, they might perform a short skit or play, sharing their festive cheer with the hosts.
In exchange for their performance, they are given treats, meals, or sometimes small gifts.
This game brings together the community, spreads holiday cheer and is a wonderful way to bond while enjoying delicious homemade food.
Catch and Hide (Formerly “Choke and Rob”)
Formerly known as Choke and Rob, Catch and Hide is a high-energy game popular during Christmas, especially for children. It’s all about agility, speed and sneaky tactics, as players try to avoid being tagged while plotting how to free their teammates.
How it's played:
One player is designated as “it” and tries to catch the other players.
Once a player is tagged, they freeze in place, but they can be released if another player manages to tag them.
The goal is to avoid getting caught while helping your teammates escape being frozen.
It's a fast-paced, action-packed game that encourages teamwork and strategy, making it a hit at any holiday gathering.
Dominoes (Caribbean Style)
No Christmas celebration in Trinidad and Tobago or the wider Caribbean is complete without a game of dominoes. The holiday season is the perfect time to gather the family for a competitive round. The game provides hours of entertainment, friendly banter and strategy.
How it's played:
Played with a standard set of 28 dominoes, players take turns placing dominoes to match the numbers on the board.
The objective is to be the first to get rid of all your dominoes or to score the most points.
There are many variations, but All Fours and Five Up are the most popular in Trinidad.
Dominoes is a quintessential part of Caribbean gatherings and during Christmas, it’s common to see families playing around the dinner table, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company.
Twirling Top (Spinning Fun for All Ages)
The Twirling Top is a beloved toy in Trinidadian culture and it's a game that continues to excite children (and adults) at Christmas time. This traditional game is a great way to add a little challenge to your Christmas festivities. Players try to spin their top for the longest time and compete against one another. The top itself is often made from wood and the challenge lies in the skill of getting it to spin perfectly.
How it's played:
Each player winds the string around the top and throws it onto the ground, attempting to make it spin.
The player whose top spins the longest wins.
It’s a nostalgic reminder of simpler times and is perfect for both kids and adults.
Treasure Hunt: Christmas Edition
A Christmas Treasure Hunt is a great way to get everyone involved in some holiday fun. Set up a series of clues around the house or yard, each leading participants closer to the final “treasure,” this could be a hidden gift, a special ornament or a basket of Christmas goodies. The hunt can be tailored to different age groups, making it an inclusive activity for the whole family.
Pee-Wee and Calypso Sing-Off
A Calypso Sing-Off is a lively and entertaining game where players take turns performing classic calypso songs or making up their own verses. Each participant must add their own flair to the performance, and the rest of the group votes on the best rendition. This game brings out the creativity in everyone and showcases Trinidad and Tobago's rich musical heritage.
How it's played:
Players take turns singing a calypso song or creating a new one.
Performances can include improvising holiday-themed verses or playing instruments.
This game adds a musical, competitive twist to your Christmas celebrations.
Coconut Bowling
If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity, Coconut Bowling is the perfect choice. It’s simple to set up and requires only a few coconuts and empty bottles. Players try to knock down as many “pins” as they can with the coconut. This game is a relaxed, low-stakes way to add some excitement to your Christmas gathering, and it’s perfect for both kids and adults.
How it's played:
Set up “pins” using bottles or cans and roll a coconut to knock them down.
Players take turns to see who can knock down the most pins.
It’s simple, fun, and ideal for a large gathering.
Limbo: Dance, Laugh, Repeat
You can’t talk about Christmas in Trinidad without mentioning Limbo, that iconic dance where participants bend backward, shimmying under a low bar to the beat of the music. While limbo was traditionally a social activity during Carnival, it also had a place in Christmas celebrations. Whether at family parties, neighbourhood blockos or church gatherings, limbo was the ultimate test of flexibility, balance and bravery.
The fun of limbo wasn’t just in the performance but also in the encouragements, shouts and cheers that filled the air, often accompanied by the infectious rhythms of calypso or parang music. Limbo brings people together and when combined with the spirit of Christmas, it makes for unforgettable memories.
How it's played:
Players take turns trying to limbo under a stick, which is gradually lowered after each round.
The goal is to pass under the stick without touching it.
It’s a crowd-pleasing game that encourages flexibility and a good sense of rhythm.
Bingo: Caribbean Style
Though Bingo is often associated with casinos or senior citizens’ clubs, in the Caribbean, it has long been a fun family activity, especially around Christmas. The Christmas version of Bingo was uniquely Caribbean, often improvised with holiday twists that made it even more fun and engaging.
How it's played:
Traditional Bingo cards are used, but the numbers are often replaced with Christmas-themed images or words such as "Santa," "tree," "presents," or "snowman."
Players mark off the symbols as they are called out. If playing Tic-Tac-Toe Bingo, players aim to get three symbols in a row instead of a traditional full card.
Holiday-themed prizes make the game extra exciting: the winner might take home a slice of homemade fruitcake, a bottle of sorrel, or even a box of Christmas chocolates.
The game is a community activity, with family members taking turns calling out the symbols, checking the cards and celebrating each win with cheers and festive applause.
It’s a fun, easy-to-join activity for all ages and a perfect way to get everyone involved in the Christmas festivities.
Shango and Ring Games
In Barbados, Shango or Ring Games were an integral part of Christmas celebrations. These games, which have been passed down through generations, are still remembered fondly as a symbol of the Christmas spirit.
How it's played:
A group of children forms a circle, holding hands and sings traditional songs or chants. The songs often had rhythmic patterns and the children would dance or skip around in the circle.
As the music or chanting progressed, the children would move to the beat, some performing skipping games or even playing a form of tag within the circle.
One child would be designated as “it,” and their task was to catch the others who were dancing or skipping around.
Ring games often had rhyming chants that were passed down and adapted over time, creating an energetic atmosphere filled with laughter and song.
These games were perfect for keeping large groups of children entertained for hours and made Christmas parties more fun and lively.
Shaky Leg Dance
This playful and hilarious game is a popular Christmas tradition in some parts of the Caribbean, including Trinidad and Tobago. The Shaky Leg Dance brings out the dancers and the comedians in all of us, as participants try to show off their best moves while keeping in rhythm with the music.
How it's played:
Players gather in a circle or in pairs and take turns dancing to lively calypso or parang music.
The challenge is to keep a “shaky leg” moving to the beat, without stumbling or losing balance.
Sometimes, a game of “musical chairs” is incorporated, where the music stops and everyone must freeze in place, but the person with the “shaky leg” has to keep moving.
It’s a fun, silly, and inclusive game that encourages everyone to get on their feet, laugh and let loose during the festive season.
Catch the Tail
Catch the Tail is another lively, action-packed game that was popular during Christmas in the Caribbean, especially among younger children.
How it's played:
A line of children forms a train, holding on to each other’s waist, and one child plays the “head” of the train.
The objective is for the head of the train to try to catch the tail (the last child in line).
As the train moves in a circle or around a designated area, the children in the middle work together to try to avoid being caught by the head of the train.
Once the head catches the tail, they switch positions and the game continues.
Laughter, chasing and quick reflexes are key to making this game a hit and it’s a perfect activity for larger groups of children.
Chase the Devil
This old-fashioned Christmas game, popular in certain parts of the Caribbean, involves lots of running and chasing, but with a unique cultural twist. Chase the Devil was often played during the early Christmas mornings, as a way to keep the children entertained and energized.
How it's played:
One player is designated as the “devil,” while others are the “angels” or “good spirits.”
The devil chases after the angels, and once caught, the angels must perform a funny task (like singing a song, doing a dance, or telling a joke) before being freed.
The goal for the angels is to avoid being caught, while the devil’s goal is to tag them and cause as much chaos as possible.
The game is high-energy, and the silly tasks make it more of a laughing exercise than a competitive game.
Pin the Nose on Rudolph
Though a popular game worldwide, Pin the Nose on Rudolph has taken on a fun local twist in many Caribbean homes during Christmas time.
How it's played:
One player is blindfolded and must pin a red nose (usually a sticker or a plush nose) onto a poster of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.
Players take turns, and it’s up to the rest of the group to help guide the blindfolded player by giving them playful directions or teasing them as they attempt to make their way to the right spot.
The game is full of laughter, teasing and friendly competition, and it’s suitable for all ages.
Christmas Cricket
Trinidadians are passionate about cricket, and Christmas provides the perfect excuse to get outside and play. Christmas Cricket is a relaxed but competitive game, where family and friends join together for a friendly match in the backyard or on an open field. Whether you have a proper bat and ball or just a coconut and a makeshift wicket, cricket brings everyone together for some light-hearted competition.
Football or “Pele”
It’s no surprise that a game of football or “Pele” often broke out during Christmas time, especially in the more rural parts of the Caribbean. After a hearty Christmas lunch, there was nothing like a friendly game of football on the greens, while the adults are resting and the kids, bursting with energy, run outside to kick the ball around. Football was an equalizer; no matter your skill level, everyone could participate and everyone enjoyed the camaraderie.
Street Games We Don’t Play Anymore
Beyond cards and board games, Christmas once spilled into the streets. Games like hopscotch, Double Dutch skipping, Pick Up Sticks, Moral (played with a tennis ball bounced rhythmically), Red Light, Green Light, 123 - were staples of the Christmas holidays. These games weren’t taught formally. Children learnt by watching older ones, copying movements, missing the rhythm, trying again and eventually getting it right.
They built coordination, timing, resilience and confidence. No equipment. No instructions. Just bodies, space and repetition.
When videos surfaced years ago showing younger children unfamiliar with hopscotch or skipping games, many were shocked. These weren’t obscure traditions; they were everyday childhood experiences for generations. Their disappearance shows how easily embodied culture can fade when there’s no time, space or opportunity to pass it on.
More Than Games: A Way of Being Together
These Christmas games and activities weren’t about winning prizes. They were about presence. About shared time. About learning how to exist with others - loudly, joyfully, imperfectly. They embody the true spirit of the holiday season in Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean.
In this fast-paced, high-tech world, many of these traditional Christmas games have fallen by the wayside. Their quiet disappearance isn’t a moral failure. It’s a cultural warning.
Bringing the Spirit of Play and Togetherness Back Home
These forgotten Christmas games remind us that joy doesn’t need to be expensive, digital or curated. It needs space. Time. People willing to slow down and participate.
This Christmas, maybe we don’t bring everything back but we bring something back. One game. One tradition. One memory passed on. Because Christmas was never just about what we had. It was about how we played together.
This Christmas, let’s rediscover these forgotten traditions and create new memories with old friends and family. It’s the togetherness that truly makes the season bright. The memories they create will be timeless.
Which of these games will you be bringing back into your Christmas traditions this year?
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