The Left Right Game: A Fun Twist for Every Holiday and Party!

If you’re looking for a game that gets everyone laughing, moving, and totally caught up in the moment the Left Right Game is a party favorite that never fails! Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, or even a birthday celebration, this simple little game brings so much joy and excitement to any gathering.

It’s the perfect mix of laughter, surprise, and “Wait, which way is left again?!” moments and best of all, it works for all ages. Kids, grandparents, and everyone in between can join in and have fun.

We’ve created a few themed versions like our Haunted Mansion Left Right Game, Thanksgiving Left Right Game, and Christmas Left Right Game, each with their own festive story to match the season.

But before we get into all those themes, let’s talk about what makes this game so great and how to play it.

What Is the Left Right Game?

If you’ve never played it before, the Left Right Game is one of the easiest and funniest party games around. It’s perfect for holidays, family nights, office parties, or classroom celebrations.

Here’s how it works:

Everyone sits in a circle, each person holding a small wrapped gift. Then, someone reads a short story aloud. Throughout the story, you’ll hear the words “left” and “right” over and over again.

Every time you hear “left,” you pass your gift to the person on your left.
Every time you hear “right,” you pass it to the person on your right.

At the end of the story, everyone keeps the gift they’re holding and usually, there’s a lot of giggling, a few mix-ups, and maybe even a little friendly chaos!

It’s quick to learn, easy to set up, and perfect when you want a lighthearted activity that gets everyone engaged.

Why Everyone Loves It

There’s something so fun about a game that brings the whole group together. The Left Right Game is one of those rare activities that works for any crowd and every age.

Here’s why people love it:

• Simple setup: No cards, boards, or complicated rules. Just gifts and a story.

• Inclusive: Kids, teens, and adults can all play together.

• Fast-paced: The story keeps everyone on their toes.

• Funny and interactive: There’s always someone who accidentally passes the wrong way!

• Perfect for any season: You can easily theme the story for any holiday or party.

That last part is what makes the Left Right Game extra special it’s endlessly adaptable. You can make it spooky for Halloween, heartfelt for Thanksgiving, festive for Christmas, or bright and cheerful for Easter!

How to Play the Left Right Game

Here’s a simple guide to help you host the perfect round of the Left Right Game:

1. Gather your group.
   You’ll want around 6–20 people, but you can adjust for smaller or larger groups.

2. Prepare the gifts.
   Each person brings a small wrapped gift, or you can supply them yourself. Gifts can be cute, funny, or themed to your holiday.

3. Print the story.
   You’ll need a Left Right Game story and that’s where LittleHaloJ comes in! We’ve created printable stories for every occasion.

4. Sit in a circle.
   Everyone holds one wrapped gift.

5. Read the story aloud.
   When you hear “left,” pass your gift to the left. When you hear “right,” pass it to the right.

6. End of story = end of game.
   When the story finishes, everyone keeps the gift they’re holding.

It’s that simple but once you start playing, you’ll quickly see why it’s such a hit.

Our Favorite Versions of the Left Right Game

The fun of this game is how easily it fits into any celebration. To make things even more festive, we’ve created themed stories to match your favorite holidays. Here are some of our most-loved versions

The Haunted Mansion Left Right Game

Perfect for spooky season! The Haunted Mansion Left Right Game adds a mysterious twist to your Halloween celebration. Players are taken on a fun and slightly spooky storytelling adventure through a haunted house full of cobwebs, creaky doors, and ghostly giggles.

This version is a huge hit for Halloween parties, classroom fun, or family game nights. It’s not too scary just the right amount of fun for all ages.

Make it even better with Halloween-themed gifts like candy, glow sticks, or tiny decorations. And don’t forget to play with your best dramatic “ghost voice” when you read the story it makes all the difference!

Thanksgiving Left Right Game

There’s no better time to share laughter and gratitude than around the Thanksgiving table. The Thanksgiving Left Right Game brings everyone together with a story full of family, food, and a few funny Thanksgiving mix-ups.

It’s the perfect after-dinner activity when everyone’s full and ready for something lighthearted. You can use fall-themed prizes like mini candles, cookie cutters, or cute kitchen gadgets or keep it simple with wrapped treats.

This version adds a lovely touch of laughter to your Thanksgiving gathering and is a fun way to include everyone from kids to grandparents.

Christmas Left Right Game

The Christmas Left Right Game is easily one of the most beloved versions of all! It’s festive, funny, and packed with holiday cheer.

It’s perfect for Christmas Eve family fun, office parties, Secret Santa exchanges, or classroom celebrations. The Christmas story version includes Santa, elves, reindeer, and lots of “left” and “right” wordplay that keeps the gifts flying back and forth.

You can make it extra fun by having everyone bring one wrapped present under a set budget maybe $5 or $10. At the end, each person keeps whatever they’re holding, and you never know what surprise you’ll unwrap!

This one is an instant hit every single year.

Easter Left Right Game

Springtime fun just got a whole lot more exciting with the Easter Left Right Game!

This version is full of cheerful Easter themes think bunnies, eggs, and spring surprises. It’s perfect for family gatherings, classroom parties, Sunday school, or Easter brunch.

You can even tie it into your Easter egg hunt! Have kids collect small prizes or eggs, then use them as the gifts for the game. Or play after the hunt while everyone enjoys some chocolate treats.

Easter-themed gifts could include:

• Mini chocolate eggs or bunnies

• Easter stickers or small toys

• Cute hair accessories

• Bunny ears or spring decor items

Kids absolutely love this one because it keeps the Easter excitement going, and adults enjoy watching the passing frenzy as everyone laughs their way through the story.

Easter Stickers for KidsLuminous Rabbits in The DarkBunny Ears Headbands

Birthday Left Right Game

Looking for something unique to add to your next birthday party? The Birthday Left Right Game is a guaranteed hit!

It’s light, fun, and easy to personalize. The story can revolve around the birthday guest of honor and include their favorite things, or you can keep it general with a cheerful birthday celebration theme.

You can use wrapped candy, small toys, or even themed party favors as the “gifts.” For older guests, fun little prizes like gift cards, mugs, or mini candles work great too.

It’s a fantastic way to keep guests entertained while keeping the celebration lighthearted and laughter-filled.

Fun Ideas for Left Right Game Gifts

The gifts are what make this game so much fun! Since everyone ends up keeping the one they’re holding at the end, you can be as creative as you like.

Here are a few themed ideas:

🎄 For Christmas

• Christmas ornaments

• Cozy socks or gloves

• Candles

• Chocolates or hot cocoa kits

• Funny novelty items

12 PCS Christmas Scented CandlesHappy Christmas OrnamentChristmas Socks

🦃 For Thanksgiving

• Fall-scented candles

• Pumpkin spice treats

• Small kitchen gadgets

• Mini pies or snacks

🎃 For Halloween

• Bags of candy

• Glow-in-the-dark trinkets

• Halloween stickers or toys

• Mini candles or spooky decor

🐣 For Easter

• Mini eggs or bunny chocolates

• Stickers, erasers, or small toys

• Cute stationery

• Tiny plushies or baskets

🎉 For Birthdays

• Candy or sweets

• Small toys or keychains

• Gift cards

• Confetti poppers or party favors

And of course, adding a few “funny” gifts always makes things more entertaining think silly socks, gag toys, or mystery boxes!

Left Right Game Tips and Tricks

A few quick tips can help your game run smoothly (and make it even more fun!):

• Print the story beforehand so it’s easy to read aloud.

• Read with enthusiasm emphasize “LEFT!” and “RIGHT!” loudly and clearly.

• Use short stories that keep everyone engaged, usually 3–5 minutes long.

• Add background music that fits your theme.

• Have extra gifts ready in case someone forgets theirs.

You can even make it more exciting by including one “special” wrapped gift that everyone hopes to end up with by the end of the story!

Why It’s the Perfect Holiday Tradition

The Left Right Game has a way of turning any gathering into something memorable. It’s lighthearted, it gets people interacting, and it’s something everyone can enjoy from little kids to great-grandparents.

For many families, it’s become a yearly tradition. Whether it’s the laughter at Thanksgiving, the cheerful chaos of Christmas, or the giggles of kids passing gifts at Easter, it’s always a highlight of the celebration.

And because it’s so easy to customize, you can play it again and again with a fresh twist every time.

Find the Perfect Left Right Game for Your Next Party

Ready to get started? We’ve made it easy for you to grab a themed version for your next holiday or event.

==> Check out our most left right printables

• The Haunted Mansion Left Right Game – spooky fun for Halloween!

• Thanksgiving Left Right Game – a heartwarming story for your fall feast.

• Christmas Left Right Game – festive fun for the whole family.

• Easter Left Right Game – cheerful springtime laughter for kids and adults alike.

Each printable includes a ready-to-read story and simple instructions, so all you have to do is print, gather your group, and start passing those gifts left and right!

A Simple Game That Brings Big Smiles

The Left Right Game is one of those rare activities that works for everyone. It’s simple, joyful, and never fails to bring smiles all around.

Whether you’re unwrapping gifts at Christmas, laughing over leftovers at Thanksgiving, hunting eggs at Easter, or celebrating a birthday, the Left Right Game is always a winner.

So go ahead gather your friends and family, wrap a few surprises, and get ready to pass them left and right! You’ll be amazed at how much laughter a simple story can bring.