These fun Thanksgiving games will add an extra dose of enjoyment to your holiday feast. Plus, you’ll be making lifelong memories while you have fun.
Thanksgiving, more than any other time of year, is an opportunity for friends and family to stop their hectic lifestyle and pace and enjoy being together. It is also a time to create lasting memories that our kids carry with them for a lifetime and hopefully recreate for their own families as they grow up.
Thanksgiving is also a time of deep tradition. We eat the same foods year after year, we are with the same people and often split up and do our own thing once the meal is done.
This year, why not create a new tradition and play some fun Thanksgiving games?
Fun Thanksgiving Games
Instead of following the usual Thanksgiving ritual of eating the feast and then segregating into those who watch Football or Parades and those who don’t. Why not try setting a new tradition of extending your family time with some fun Thanksgiving games to help make the day special?
Indoor Thanksgiving Games
I love indoor games because they are so versatile. Most can be played outdoors on the patio if you want to enjoy fresh air, and they’re always great options when the weather forces your entertainment inside.
Where’s Mr. Turkey?
This game is a variation of the classic “Hot/Cold” game. Instead of saying “You’re hot/cold/warm” the kids gobble.
One player is the farmer and the other players are the helpers. The farmer leaves the room while the helpers hide a small toy turkey. The farmer must find the turkey.
For clues, the helpers gobble more rapidly when the farmer is close to finding the turkey. When the farmer is not close they gobble less.
Thanksgiving Mad Libs
A classic family activity you can always count on to be fun for all ages is a silly game of Mad Libs. These Gobble Gobble Mad Libs are the perfect version for Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Bingo
Bingo is always a great family game since even young children can play. I love these Thanksgiving Bingo cards since it keeps everyone focused on the holiday.
If you enjoy watching the Thanksgiving Parade, download these free Thanksgiving Parade Bingo Cards from FamilyEducation.com.
Thanksgiving Charades
Another game that’s fun for all ages is Charades. This Thanksgiving version is a fun way to celebrate all of the wonderful Thanksgiving traditional foods, characters, and events.
Thanksgiving Pictionary
You can use the charades cards to play Pictionary too. Instead of acting out each item, draw them instead to get your teammates to guess the word.
Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions
Have fun with this list of Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions to ask your family for a memorable family-bonding event!
Photo Fun
A really fun Thanksgiving activity is to commemorate the day with fun photos. Pull out your cameras and snap away!
If you want, you can set up a photo station somewhere in your home and stage some Thanksgiving props. Or challenge each guest to get a photo with each other guest.
Equally fun is pulling out old photo albums and sharing memories from previous years!
Outdoor Thanksgiving Games
Depending on where you live, the weather at Thanksgiving may be ideal for getting outside for some fun. Try one of these fun outdoor Thanksgiving games to burn off some of those calories.
Thanksgiving Nature Walk
Let’s face it, nothing is better than walking off a big meal. To make the activity a fun event, turn it into a scavenger hunt.
You can write out a list of items you could expect to find on a nature walk like:
- a red leaf
- a brown leaf
- an orange leaf
- a pine cone
- an acorn
- a dried weed or pod
- a seed
- a piece of bark
- dried berries
Or print off this Fall Scavenger Hunt and try to check off all the items as a family.
Turkey Trot Game
If you have younger children who might be too small for a game of touch football, try this Turkey Trot game.
Use a stuffed animal (ideally, a turkey) for each team. You can also use footballs or even crumpled paper bags.
Divide everyone into teams of two. Have each pair stand back to back and link their elbows together.
Place one “turkey” between each pair’s backs. Teams must reach the finish line without unlinking their elbows or dropping their turkey. The first team to reach the finish line wins.
Playing games together is a great way to bond and relax without the normal stress of everyday life. It’s also a great way to spend time with the whole family, young and old, each participating in something on the same level.
Whatever you decide to do, be assured, you are creating lasting memories and lots of fun!
Thanksgiving Fun Pack
Looking for a fun activity to keep the kids occupied while you prepare the feast? They’ll love this Printable Thanksgiving Activity Book.
