Dreidel, Remixed: 8 New Spins on the Classic Chanukah Game
You likely can sing the “I have a little dreidel” song in your sleep. You probably know how to spin a dreidel and have it keep spinning for half a minute. Maybe you even mastered the upside-down spin.
But, hey (get it?). After all those years playing classic dreidel, it’s time to up your game!
Here are 8 new spins on the classic dreidel game that you most definitely should try out this Chanukah.
1. The Last One Spinning: Gather some competitors, and give each player a dreidel. Everyone should spin their dreidel at the exact same time. The player with the last one spinning gets a point. Whoever gets to ten points first is the winner.
2. Dreidel Race: Divide up into 4 teams. Each team gets one dreidel and one of the four letters of the dreidel. Everyone spins and records what they land on. The first team to reach their letter ten times wins. Tip: Have a facilitator help out to start the timer, ensure proper spins and tally the letters spun.
3. Dreidel Art: Dip your dreidel in paint. Then spin it on a paper or canvas. Sit back and relax, and watch your dreidel make some really cool art!
4. Dreidel Pictionary: Assign each letter a theme. You can do themes like Jewish foods, mitzvot, Jewish figures, and holy places. On your turn, spin the dreidel, and draw a concept from the letter’s theme. Let others guess before the time (one minute) runs out.
5. Go the Distance: Find an open play area, and see who can spin their dreidel the farthest. Yes, you can throw the dreidel, but it has to spin when it lands.
6. Dreidel Tower: You’ll need a lot of dreidels for this one. Divide into teams and see who can build the tallest or sturdiest tower, made just of dreidels. For fun, add in chocolate coins as a building material.
7. Gelt vs. Dreidels: Split into two teams. One team spins the dreidels, and the other team slides chocolate coins to knock over the dreidels. The game ends when all dreidels are spinning or all dreidels are knocked over. Then, switch roles and play again!
8. A Spin on Dreidel: I saved my favorite for last. This one is the most detailed, so pay attention. But it’s also a lot of fun, so get ready for a good game.
A few years ago, I made this version up and I have been playing it at Chanukah parties ever since!
Before playing, prepare a bunch of cards with nouns on them. (They can be Chanukah related, based on personal jokes or just random.) Here’s how the game works. Players take turns picking a card, spinning the dreidel and doing the associated task—trying to get the others to guess their card.
Here’s what the letters stand for:
Nun: No turn. Oh well. Better luck next time.
Gimmel: Get props. Without saying anything or making any gestures, get what you need to help your team guess the words. You may point, and you may put objects together to make a new object. (For example, if your card is dreidel, you can either get a dreidel and point to it or pick up some popsicle sticks and create a dreidel shape.)
Hey: Hint in rhyme. Create a spontaneous poem to get your team to guess the word. No made up words, and no rhyming with your card’s word. (For example, if your card is dreidel, you can say, “People love to play / on the Chanukah holiday.” If your team doesn’t get it yet, add on another verse. “It’s something that you spin / and always try to win.”)
Shin / Pei: Charades / Perform. Get dramatic and act it out. Though you can make gestures and sounds, you can’t say any words, and you can’t use any props. (For example, if your card is dreidel, you can pretend to play dreidel, or you can pretend to be one and spin around.)
So this year, when the dreidels come out, get ready to try a new spin.
Do you have another twist on dreidel? Please share it in the comments!
Sari Kopitnikoff is an experiential educator, digital artist and content creator who is passionate about creating books, games, activities and shows that bring Judaism to life. You can find her books, games and lots of educational activities on her website, thatjewishmoment.com and on social media, @thatjewishmoment.