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Seated

Spoons

Also called Spoon Grab

Pass cards around the table looking for four of a kind; when someone grabs a spoon, everyone grabs — the one left without is out.

people
4–12
time
20 min
energy
High
materials
Household items
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need2
How to play4

Before you start

Seat players around a table with the spoons in a cluster in the middle, within reach of everyone. Deal four cards to each player; the dealer keeps the rest as a draw pile.

  1. 1The dealer draws a card, keeps or discards one, and passes the discard to the left. Everyone does the same, at speed, holding four cards at all times.
  2. 2When a player has four of a kind, they quietly take a spoon.
  3. 3As soon as anyone sees a spoon go, they grab one too.
  4. 4The player left without a spoon is out (or earns a letter of S-P-O-O-N). Remove one spoon and play again.
What to say3
  1. 1“Four of a kind — then grab a spoon. Quietly!”
  2. 2“Keep passing, keep passing — faster!”
  3. 3“Someone grabbed! Who's left without a spoon?”
Host tips3
  • Grown adults will lunge across the table. Set a rule: one hand only, and you must stay seated.
  • The game slows to a crawl when one player hoards cards. Insist that you hold no more than five cards at a time.
  • With kids, use the S-P-O-O-N letters so the youngest are not out in the first round and sulking for the rest of the party.
Variants2

  • S-P-O-O-N letters

    Nobody is eliminated outright; you are only out after collecting all five letters. Keeps more people playing longer.

  • Spoons across the room

    Put the spoons on a table across the room instead. Much louder and much more active.

Safety2
  • Fingernails and rings scratch in a spoon grab; ask players to take off big rings.
  • Keep drinks and hot food off the table during play.
Good for

Occasions

ChristmasReunionBirthdayRetreatFarewell party

Venues

Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hall
If this one dies early1